October 2018 | Issue # 230 www.bazaar.town
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Int A recent study demonstrated that turning off all of your notifications on your phone reduces stress and anxiety by over 60% in most people. I tried it and I think my stress and anxiety levels actually went up, because I was afraid of missing something. I then realized that I couldn’t simply close all notifications, so proceeded to pick and choose depending on their importance to me based on my lifestyle. I kept WhatsApp notifications on, since that’s my main mode of communication with friends and family. I turned off all the lights and sounds I used to get every time I received an email, but that didn’t help, since I started to open and check my email a lot more often, thus draining my battery faster, which led to even more anxiety and stress. I was very successful at managing my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram addiction, and don’t miss the dozens of daily notifications I get from all of my favorite food delivery apps, and in fact I might have lost a kilo or two along the way. All in all, a very refreshing exercise that I recommend all of you try out.
The bazaar team...
Another brilliant way to avoid stress and anxiety is to simply put your phone on silent somewhere you can’t see it, and dive into this amazing issue of bazaar! Start off your deep dive with our incredible cover feature and exclusive interview with none other than superstar Rami Malek, as he tells us all about his latest role as Persian Popinjay Freddie Mercury in the upcoming film Bohemian Rhapsody. We’ve also got our very own league of luminaries right here in Kuwait: We catch up with the talented local artist Ghadah Alkandari as she gives us a glimpse of what’s to come at her upcoming exhibition Hurricane PM: My Life from October to October that’s set to take place at Dar Al Funoon Gallery. We also take a closer look at Kuwait’s evolving architectural landscape with Principal Architect and Co-Founder of Element Design House Rayah Al-Sabah in Up Close and Personal, and take an artistic turn with Rawan Abulhasan as she tells us all about Coulr—a super interesting lifestyle concept where arts meets fashion and your everyday pair of denim jeans is transformed by the hands of local artists.
Ahmed Al-Ashab
Speaking of fashion, the highly anticipated MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collaboration is right around the corner! To celebrate, we’ve got the exclusive scoop from MOSCHINO’s Jeremy Scott and H&M’s Ann-Sofie Johansson and our behind-the-scenes photos will leave you dreaming about this collection’s release date. Still, there are other regional talents making global waves, and Egyptian-American jewelry designer Marwa Saadawi of Indira NYC is one worth celebrating. We speak with the talented designer about her latest collection and collaborating with the stunning Egyptian actress Amina Khalil and where she wants to go next. Finally, no issue of bazaar would be complete without our latest dining find, and we found a delicious experience in the most unexpected of places: Artspace Kuwait. Titled Alice & Co, this clean-eating friendly dining spot emerging out of the local art haven really delivers on the yum-factor, without compromising on wholesome eating practices. Happy reading! Ahmed El-Adly
Boss Ahmed El-Adly
Operations Tim Burns
Business Development Ihab Mokalled
Content Manager Yasmine El Charif
Mixed Media Solutions Jennifer Cádiz
Design Staff Writer/Online Media Amira Haroun Yasmine Dalloul Yasmin Gamal
Online Producer/Project Manager Umika Pidaparthy
Communications Hala Y. Sharara
Editor Alia Al Duaij
Cover by Mark Seliger
Contributing Writers Ayesha Kamal Ayman Nassar George Tarabay Reem Al-Gharabally Dr. Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg
members of:
Syndicates & Sources Baraka Bits Fast Company Kingdome.co LA Times MCT International Newsweek
w w w. b p aw w. c o m The views expressed in bazaar magazine are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily shared by the magazine or its staff (but sometimes they are).
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No one likes to be dumped;
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recycle me, please.
Max Mara
INDEX OCTOBER 2018 34
RAYAH AL-SABAH
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110 ALICE & CO
MOSCHINO [TV] H&M
Banker by day, artist by night, meet the talented woman behind Coulr Rawan Abulhasan in Truth or Dare. Equal parts fashion and art, Coulr lets you create your own one-of-a-kind customized denims. She's fearless with a paintbrush, but will our questionnaire scare her?
This laid back, clean eating-friendly Salmiya destination located in the heart of Artspace’s studios features an ever-evolving menu inspired by the gourmet artistry of the Alice & Co team. With highly developed flavor profiles, we found ourselves on a delicious culinary adventure in this month’s edition of bazaar Goes Dining.
What do you get when fashion’s favorite rebel and the world’s largest retailer work together? Magic, texture, explosions of color, bling bling and pop-culture galore! We scored an exclusive interview with MOSCHINO's Jeremy Scott and H&M’s Ann-Sofie Johansson to find out more about the latest MOSCHINO [tv] H&M collaboration.
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We’re calling it: Rami Malek as the iconic Freddie Mercury in the upcoming film Bohemian Rhapsody might be the role that lands him the Oscar gold! He describes the experience of playing the role of Freddie as both daunting and exciting. Flip over for more from our exclusive cover interview with Rami Malek.
In time for her latest exhibition set to showcase at Dar Al Funoon gallery, Ayesha Kamal speaks to Ghadah Alkandari about a constantly evolving journey that takes the local artist from clutter to clarity. Titled Hurricane PM: My Life from October to October, Ghadah’s latest body of work is an autobiographical retelling of events that’s not to be missed.
Inspired by her Egyptian heritage, Marwa Saadawi first started Indira Jewelry in 2014. Four years later, she’s still going strong and the face of her latest collection, The Geo Line, is none-other than the stunning Egyptian actress Amina Khalil! Marwa tells us more about Indira, Amina and where she wants to go next.
For co-founder and Principal Architect at Element Design House Rayah Al-Sabah, architecture goes beyond its initial function— it’s a way of life. In this edition of Up Close and Personal, we go on a journey towards architectural acuity, filled with incredible experiences and learning curves.
RAMI MALEK
RAWAN ABULHASAN
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GHADAH ALKANDARI
INDIRA NYC
P. 126 FERRARI
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FERRARI The iconic Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 limited edition series feature the most advanced sports car technology available today, and did we mention that each model is equally jaw-dropping-ly stunning? Dubbed the ‘icona’ series, read on to find out how the new Monza series references Ferrari’s racing legacy.
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what's on October 2018 ARABNET KUWAIT CONFERENCE Date: October 8-9 Location: Arraya Ballroom - Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Kuwait City Info: Arabnet, the hub for digital professionals and entrepreneurs to connect and learn is bringing their conference on everything digital to Kuwait. Four forums covering the hottest and most relevant topics for today’s digital word. The conference will feature dozens of accomplished speakers, forums, lectures and a startup battle that will be sure to educate and entertain everyone. Media and AdTech: The forum will shed light on the best practices for content creation and distribution, data-driven marketing, as well as technologies that are reshaping marketing and the consumer journey. Money: The forum will explore trends in financial technology and the transformations created by big data, blockchain, AI and the practical opportunities available for banks and financial service providers. E-commerce: The forum will host the leading e-commerce and e-retail players to highlight the latest emerging trends and dive into the future of payments. Innovation and Investment: The forum will feature leading tech entrepreneurs to share their journey, the challenges they faced and lessons they learned, as well as the opportunities they still see in the market. Keep up to date with Arabnet by checking them out at www.arabnet.me. EXHIBITION: GHADAH ALKANDARI PRESENTS HURRICANE PM Date: October 22-November 1 Location: Dar Al Funoon Gallery, Kuwait Info: In her upcoming exhibition at Dar Al Funoon Gallery, Alkandari shares a period of her life spanning a year, from October 2017 to October 2018. Through paintings, a knit installation and video, she addresses issues surrounding her rocky ride through peri-menopause, or as she affectionately calls it: Hurricane PM. For more information on events at Dar Al Funoon, visit @DafGallery on Facebook and Instagram.
'50 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURE IN KUWAIT' AN EXHIBITION BY PACE Date: October 8th-October 28th, Location: Al Shaheed Park, Phase 2, Multipurpose Hall 2 Info: In celebration of their 50th anniversary this year, Pace is launching a grand exhibition at Al-Shaheed Park. The exhibition commemorates the evolution of architecture in Kuwait throughout the past 5 decades, where Pace will also be showcasing its significant contribution to the Kuwaiti urban landscape and skyline, with 50 years of design excellence. '50 Years of Architecture' demonstrates the contrast between past and present Kuwait. The rich tapestry of Pace’s architectural heritage in the country is presented with a display of architectural models abstracting façade details and forms. Oppositely, Pace’s contemporary work in Kuwait is presented as a show of colorful illustrations reinterpreting some of the state’s most interesting architecture. Finally, and at the heart of the exhibition, is the extraordinary archive of this influential practice. The exhibition borrows elements of Kuwait’s iconic architecture, and goes beyond just their architectural properties to present them as dramatic sculptural forms. For more on this event, check out @pacemiddleeast and @Alshaheedpark on Instagram. THE ILLUSIONISTS Date: October 24-27 Location: Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Cultural Center Info: Known as the ‘world’s best-selling magic show’, The Illusionists showcases mind blowing talents that have shattered box office records across the globe. It’s a one of a kind live magic production with a cast of magicians who all practice illusion. The show premiered at the Sydney Opera House in Australia and went on to tour the world with its success.
For more on this event, and others at JACC, visit www.jacc-kw.com. 26
Xcite
what's trending October 2018
What: @shopsheyaka Info: Egypt’s first online department store. Editor’s Note: Handpicked Egyptian brands that will surprise and delight you.
What: @coulrkw Info: Get your one-of-a-kind pair of customized hand painted denims. Editor’s Note: If you favor a specific brand of jeans, you can BYOJ (Bring Your Own Jeans)
What: @theliplabkw Info: Custom blend cosmetics in Kuwait! Editor’s Note: A new fall wardrobe means new beauty colors!
What:@o.thebrand Info: The newly opened multi-brand concept store for luxury accessories Editor’s Note: They might just introduce you to new designer labels.
What:@Srveme.kuwait Info: Connect with reliable service providers at an up-front flat hourly rate. Editor’s Notes: Leave a note in the app if you have any specific requests.
www.bazaar.town
What: @Shinsawi Info: They organize events for fun loving people who just want to go out and do things. Editor’s Note: Outingsselloutquicklysomakesuretoregisterasearlyaspossible.
What: @dai_kuwait Info: The cultural destination for music, art and literature starts here! Editor’s Note: Start filling your calendar up with their free events.
What: @duckling_kw Info: The masters of all foods duck. Editor’s Note: The quack team in @trycarriage deliver Duckling to your door.
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xcite 2
POSTERS THAT PERSUADE
On the road to effective visual media that changes perceptions with Maryam Hosseinnia By bazaar staff
Mention Graphic Design and most people usually assume it just means being able to create visuals using computer software or more realistically a phone app. And with hundreds of apps promising to help you create the next great poster, it is easy to assume it is just as simple as slapping together a couple of images and selecting a fancy font. We often mistakenly associate graphic design with art. While both are visual mediums, a welldesigned poster or postcard can be a piece of art, but as an object it is meant to solve a problem. It has a specific function and serves a purpose. We came across some local work on Behance while actively looking for Kuwait’s unsung, and perhaps not-yet famous, creatives. An interesting collection of social awareness campaign posters lead us to Maryam Hosseinnia, Associate Professor of Graphic Design at the American University of Kuwait who teaches the Graphic Design III course. The course is taught to Graphic Design seniors at AUK. It coincides with a pivotal point in the students’ lives. Months away from graduation, students are but almost ready for the workforce, and are essentialy experiencing transitional state. This is the time when they start producing serious work. Hosseinnia explained how the course is structured, and students are asked to choose a cause they believe in, identify a solution and then design the campaign posters over the following six weeks. Iconic Italian designer Massimo Vigneli said that “Good design is a matter of discipline. It starts by looking at the problem and collecting all the available information about it. If you understand the problem, you have the solution. It’s really more about logic than imagination.” He also insisted that design was utilitarian, and art was not. It might be logical, but it takes a lot more work than just knowing the answer. Students work on understanding the audience first. A lot of research is needed to discern the different psychological, social and cultural contexts that come into play. They need to be anthropologists discovering why people act the way they do and how to change that. For social awareness campaigns to be effective, they need to be convincing. Change is challenging. But they have the tools for it. They work on copywriting, typography and imagery to create a compelling message. According to Hosseinnia the most effective graphic design is a good marriage
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of text and visuals, where they come together and melt into one unit. It might not strictly be art but there is still a huge creative and aesthetic element to it. Luckily that is the kind of thing that the students learn. Form, composition, framing and all the things they need to make it visually powerful, pleasing and persuasive. Execution of an idea takes a lot of research, sketching, thought and time management plays a pivotal role in this process. For students, the notion of time management and planning can be challenging. Being on time, punctuality with deadlines, and professionalism in presenting and communicating effectively takes time. Planning ahead, not getting overwhelmed and avoiding procrastination are skills we all need to figure out in life, sooner rather than later. In today’s fast-moving world, slowing down and focusing is just as hard as conveying an idea on a single sheet of A3 paper. But students continue to rise to the challenge. Some add a personal touch by using themselves as subjects. Others have found that manipulating the typography can be a subtle and subconscious ways to get their message across. Several students have taken their campaigns
to their final semester. Building on them and using them as a spring board for their capstone projects. It is why these years of education can be so valuable. They are a time for exploration and self-discovery as well as defining one’s identity. And even if you are way past that, you can always learn something new and reap the same benefits. Ultimately, students find their own voice through projects like these. The project forces them to look at themselves within a much larger context than their immediate surroundings. And it is perfectly timed right before transitioning from university to young professionals. But the skills they learn now are ones they will carry with them for life, whether they go on creating posters for social awareness campaigns or not.
Want to see more of Maryam Hosseinnia’s students’ work? Find her on Behance https:// www.behance.net/maryamnia. Featured posters by Mariam Aleissa, Nada AlKharashi, Salma Abdelaziz, Abdulaziz Borashed, Nada Abdou, and Fajer Alfadalah.
gulf bank wise
IT’S SPACE MONTH AT THE SCIENTIFIC CENTER! Why did the sun go to school? To get brighter
By bazaar staff
"Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before!" Captain Kirk’s immortal words stick with all of us, young and old, forever curious about the universe we live in. The United Nations has designated World Space Week to start on October the 4th and end on the 10th. But The Scientific Center of Kuwait are giving us an entire month of uninterrupted space fun. TSCK will be transforming the center into something amazing that will enthrall all visitors. Walk through the birth of a star in reverse in the halls of the Scientific center, starting at the entrance. Learn how it forms from the pillars of creation, becomes a red dwarf, a supernova and finally collapses into a black hole. Information is available at every stage so you can fully understand the process. Space belongs to all humanity, it unites us and ignites a curiosity equally present in five-year-olds and seventy-year-olds. We have all, at some point in our lives, stared at a starry sky and wondered what was up there, or what it would be like to visit. Sadly, we sometimes get swept away by life’s hustle and bustle and forget to look up. Which is why TSCK want to immerse you in their spacecentric experiences. They are also building a huge model of the solar system in the central court, complete with informational boxes connected to each planet so you can learn something new or envision it with ease. Red dirt shows you what Mars’ surface would be like and you can watch the yellowish gas that gives Venus its color. Aside from the complete visual walk-through experience, fun, activity booths will line the hallway. You can take your own starry selfie, make galaxy playdough and create a nebula in a jar. All of this just for the regular price of admission. The Discovery Center will be hosting daily workshops for kids, so they can get some hands-on fun while learning. And there will be a larger event every weekend. Alia Almansoori, the thirteen-year-old Emirati winner of the Genes in Space UAE competition is scheduled to speak about her experiment and its implications on space travel and exploration. The translation of the book, Professor Astro Cat’s Solar System by Dr. Dominic Walliman and Ben Newman is being launched in the same weekend. This activity in particular is part of KFAS’s program to translate children’s science books into Arabic to make them more accessible for local audiences. 32
explore
infinity SPACE MONTH 2o18
Movie lovers should rejoice, because Interstellar will be showing on the third weekend of October on the huge screens. Having won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, the movie is definitely a much richer experience in IMAX. The final weekend of October is going to be very special. TSCK have invited Kuwaiti space geek and inventor Nasser Ashkanani, to speak about his adventures and host a rocket building workshop. You do not want to miss this one. The workshops and weekend events are meant to engage children and adults alike, you just need to make sure you register in advance because space is
limited, and demand is high. The Scientific Center of Kuwait is excited about the thematic installation and is aiming for more of these regularly throughout the year to get everyone else excited about learning. As a center, they believe that keeping children curious and interested helps them reach their full potential. With science and exploration as a basis for learning, children's minds are open to endless opportunities! For more details on the Scientific Center’s Space Month activities, events and workshops follow them on Instagram @scicenterkw and Facebook @tsckuwait.
ontime
ELEMENT I DESIGN HOUSE up close & personal
Rayah J. Al-Sabah and the journey towards architectural acuity By bazaar staff
Arranging the material mood board.
According to Element Design House’s lead Principal Architect and Co-founder Rayah J. Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s architectural landscape is in constant evolution. Always looking forward with a contagious sense of optimism, she considers Kuwait’s local architecture and design scene to be ripe with incredible talent. She laughingly begins our conversation, “I’m not sure why many people wouldn’t want to admit that their competition is awesome. Truly, Kuwait boasts an astounding amount of talent in this field, and we should all be proud of that.” 34
I’ve personally known Rayah ever since we were little kids, making up funny characters with play-dough and formulating our research projects for our IB Higher Level Art class in high school. For someone extremely obsessed with working with their hands and being so creatively inclined, I felt that pursuing a career in architecture and design would have been a natural path for Rayah. But she didn’t quite see it this way, “I didn’t know I would land on architecture, as I didn’t quite understand the field until I was at USC in Los Angeles. It was quite a shock at first.” While Rayah’s studies were grueling—she learned a lot from the experience, and graduated with a professional degree five years later, once again ready to start working with her hands. She continues, “I found that architecture is not just about design, it is about functionality and adding value, and understanding what the space services.”
She honed her skills further working the graduate program of Kuwait’s Fund for Arab and Economic Development, taking her from Kuwait, to Zurich to Chicago and gaining incredible handson experience with the greatest minds in the field. This was followed by an impactful five-year tenure at architecture and design firm Kayan, where Rayah was “thrown into the deep end at Kayan, and in the best of ways. We had the opportunity to head our own projects, and it was a fantastic learning experience, even though it wasn’t easy. I’m still on great terms with them, even after leaving the firm.” As a young, female Kuwaiti architect, it could prove difficult when it comes to asserting one’s self, but for Rayah, this isn’t completely a matter of gender. “We’ve got a fantastic crowd of female architects, and while yes, you need to establish a sense of authority, this isn’t accomplished by being angry. This is achieved by
maintaining a respectable relationship with both your contractors and clients. While this can be a gender thing—it’s also a relationship thing. I feel that communication and honing these skills is equally important, like the manner in which you speak to someone, or the way you allow someone to speak to you, while still maintaining professionality—these are all skills that develop with time.” Rayah’s reasons for her departure from Kayan were quite simple, she states, “I wanted to leave the field in its entirety. I knew I needed a change, I just didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I guess that it took me leaving architecture completely to make me want to get back into it.” Even though Rayah had temporarily left the field, she never stopped literally envisioning life in a grid, where everything has to be framed beautifully, and symmetry is paramount to a level of happiness that is unbeknownst to many. Today, at her very own home away from home, Element Design House (EDH), this notion is omnipresent. Once a site of complete ruin due to a fire, perhaps what attracted Rayah to choose the renovated building that is Wafra Downtown Tower for an office space was its incredible potential, adding that “AGI did a terrific job in updating this building.” Rayah’s family encouraged her to get back into the field, and EDH is a family affair through and through. She works with her sisters, alongside a small team that makes for a cozy, friendly and laid back vibe. From architectural design, branding to product design, as well as design supervision during the execution process of each project, EDH does it all. She explains her team dynamic, “We all do everything. Not everyone is based inhouse, and it’s always nice to see people come and go and not feel tied down to a rigid format. The way we work with our clients echoes how we, as employees, work together. It's a family affair, and our clients feel like they are part of the EDH family.” Rayah’s ethos adds value to the company, because these family values translate into comfortable clients. Comfortable clients open up about their desires, and this allows the creative process to take flight, Rayah decidedly says that “this separates us from many other firms.” All of EDH’s clients are returning clients—a surefire sign that Rayah is on the right path. From commercial to residential, interior and exterior architecture design and supervision services, Rayah always ends up with a typical architect’s perspective, “I keep coming back to form, structure and function.” She references pendant lamps created for Elevation Burger, a longstanding client where EDH is working on changing up the interior and exterior design for all of Elevation Burger’s branches, even though EDH was strictly hired to initially work on the interior design alone. Rayah explains that Elevation Burger “hires local architects to design their interiors, and we have been selected to complete their rebranding projects for their interiors, based on our suggested designs. We will be helping them
Alia Al Sabah, Managing Partner.
The EDH team at work
Al Soor Tower- Restaurant Storefront design and facade facelift
[Continued...]
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to build the design guidelines for their interiors, and this is something we’re really proud of.” For someone so focused on design, Rayah has quite the penchant for EDH’s latest project, and excitedly talks about Pinnochios Pizza, where EDH “got involved from branding to visual communication, the team, the space, the furniture. What really helps a project like this, is when the client is so passionate, so translating the Neapolitan pizza concept into a vision of bringing the streets of Italy to your dining experience is amazing.” Rayah’s enthusiasm doesn’t end there, and she eagerly showcases coffee concept Barista Café’s portable coffee shop. Totally detachable and movable, the portable coffee shop utilizes materials that are industrial, complete with rotating doors, seating built within, windows, expandable attachments. She also cites EDH’s involvement with reworking the exteriors of a real estate developer’s projects with such fervor, that I couldn’t help but feel amazed. Rayah credits her keenness to how “some clients value design so much, that they are raising the bar when it comes to design projects in Kuwait.” That, in and of itself, puts Rayah’s mind at ease when looking to the future of architecture in Kuwait. While Rayah’s goal for EDH is to consistently grow, she sees the firm launching its own product line next year, but her dreams are set on something much bigger—Kuwait’s skyline. Rayah looks over in my direction, and points a contemplative finger towards the commanding view which we could clearly see from EDH's floor-to-ceiling windows that surround the space, and says, “Now that’s something I never knew I wanted but would love to be a part of. We have a very unique skyline, it’s different from every angle you see. I feel that I want to add to it, or change it slightly. Adding a stricture, changing, or adapting one. That’s an evolution, telling the story of how a building was and how it came to be. I think that is so beautiful.”
Barista 'Black Box' Portable cafe
BTA Duplex. Interior Design & Architectural Renovation What is your greatest extravagance? I’m a secret shopaholic.
What is your most marked characteristic? My enthusiasm. I find everything exciting!
What do you most value in your friends? Their sense of humor, and kindness.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Ok love.
Where would you most like to live? Italy.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being on a yacht in the middle of nowhere surrounded by family and friends.
What is it that you most like? Ice cream! Which talent would you most like to have? The ability to sing!
What are your favorite words to live by? Live and let live!
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE
What is your greatest fear? The loss of loved ones. What is the trait you most admire in yourself? The ability to see beauty in everything.
If you could have any job, what would it be? Yacht designer.
What is the trait you most admire in others? Having a sense of humor.
What would you consider achievement? Element Design House.
Which living person do you most admire? My mother.
What is your most treasured possession? My grandmother’s ring.
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your
greatest For more on Element Design House, please visit https://www.elementdesignhouse.com/ and follow the team’s activities on Instagram @element.designhouse.
NEW ARRIVALS
kurt Geiger
Grand Avenue - The Avenues / KurtGeigerKuwait || @KurtGeigerKuwait
Tel: 22283464 - 22283463
KUWAIT’S KRUMP ROYALTY Meet Krump Master Flash Mishal Al Roomi
By Ayman Nassar
No, you didn’t misread this article’s title. And no, Kuwait is not creating its own version of Trump referred to as KRUMP. Krumping is an expressive form of dance from the early 2000s, and is characterized by “free, expressive, exaggerated, and highly energetic movement to release anger, aggression and frustration positively, in a non-violent way.” So, not only did you not know what Krumping is (shame on you), but you also did not know that Kuwait is home to its very own Krump Master Flash, Mishal Al Roomi. Mishal is no stranger to expressive entertainment, coming from a family of entertainers ranging from dancers, to musicians, and everything in between. We sat down with Mishal to get a better understanding of the art of Krump in Kuwait.
dance disciplines. Back in the day, my older brother was also the only Krumper in his crew and it was he who introduced me to Krump. I got into other styles [of dance] over the years, such as African Dance, House, Popping, Contemporary and Locking, but Krump always held a special spot in my heart. How is the Krump scene in Kuwait, and do you perform at regular shows? I’ve participated in a few events and collaborated with a few local and international artists but there has been no official Krump event in Kuwait yet. This is because people still don’t understand what Krump really is or where it came from. No one has ever gone on stage to explain its rich history. This is also the main reason for the declining number of Krumpers in Kuwait. Some simply decided to leave and try other disciplines.
How long have you been Krumping? I started Krump when I was 14-years-old. I’ve been Krumping for almost 12 years now.
Are there classes available in Kuwait for those who wish to learn? Like I mentioned before, I happen to be the only Krumper in Kuwait, making me the unofficial leader of Kuwait’s Krump movement. So you will have to follow me for Krump classes. But basically, the answer to that question is yes.
Is this the first form of dance you studied or do you have more in your arsenal? Actually it was the third. I started off with break dancing then hip-hop, and I’m self-taught in both
Did you experience any difficulties or injuries with Krumping? The first thing people usually exclaim after trying out my class is, “Man that was one tough workout!” and
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yes Krump has that much power and that is why we mainly teach Krumpers how to control that power otherwise they could hurt themselves. In my first two years I got injured quite a lot which pushed me to learn more about the human body, breathing techniques, just to learn how to turn all that energy into a powerful, amazing dance performance. Do you take part in competitions? I’ve participated in a few competitions, and won first place in most of them but the biggest Krump event which was a life changer for me was Krumpire 2018 in Russia—It was 10 days of Krump Camp workshops, battles and sessions. In 2015, I was one of the leading dancers at the LOYAC Academy for Performing Arts. We worked with a French company called Attcafa and together we created a series of shows called Aswat. Some shows were performed in Kuwait, and one was taken to France. The show basically explained the history of Kuwait starting from the pearl diving days up until the discovery of oil. During our trip [to France] my dance partners Bboy, Seasick and Melony and I gave a few workshops in Lille and in Belgium. In 2016, we visited France again and my sister Awash, Melony and I performed a show called Kalam Ams w Elyoom, a show which discussed the history of the Arabic language. We performed in Paris on the National Day of the Arabic language. We also performed in the Theater Manège Maubeuge and also in Lille. We gave workshops in Krump, Bollywood Hip-Hop and Afro Dance styles.
Tik tok
How would you describe Krumping to a beginner? Krump is just like any dance style, as it is a form of expression through sharp and fast movements. It looks aggressive, only because the creator formed this style during a painful time of his life, so that’s basically the feeling that brought this style to existence. But just like any other [dance] style, you can learn the movement, then express the way that you feel. For example, for me [I’m expressing] the feeling of loneliness. We hear that Krumping is the reason behind a magical occurrence in your life, can you tell us more about that? It’s a funny story actually. I met my wife Shujoon in one of my classes! What is it like to be married to a dancer? Mishal: She’s one of my biggest supporters. Shujoon: It was never a big issue to be honest, as
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we already know our society’s mentality so we knew we’d face comments here and there. Surprisingly, we actually inspired other couples to practice together, and we had a lot of people admiring what Mishal and I do together. We didn’t face much issues and thankfully, people were always supportive of us. Do you try to outperform one another? It’s never a competition for us, as we’re always trying to push each other together. How do you see the future of Krump in Kuwait? Just like any other movement, it requires educated people to put their hands together and work as a team, which is a mentality lost by a lot of dancers here in Kuwait. We should learn to share more, rather than to just compete. More group sessions and jams should be held to bring together all styles of dancers. The main thing we should focus on is to teach our dancers how to
share and collaborate. In Krump, we share so much to the point that the Krumper in the middle could literally lose their mind. That’s what Krump is about...sharing. It pains me that no one gets that, including the dancers here in Kuwait, which, in some cases, means that the person you’re trying to share with doesn’t have the sharing mentality so they won’t see it nor feel it well. The answer to that question is Krump will grow once we learn how to share!
For more on Mishal Al Roomi's work with Krump, check out @mishal_alroomi21 on Instagram. Photography by Rashid, @Rashidpvg on Instagram.
Jumeira pepper
truth or dare
COULR YOUR LIFE
Rawan Abulhasan's one-of-a-kind painted denims will make you swoon By bazaar staff
By day Rawan Abulhasan is a manager at a bank. But after-hours, she is an artist, a painter and a small business owner. She's the woman behind Coulr, an experiment which exploded into a cool brand. Her dad’s love of art was passed down to her, and growing up, Rawan loved art classes and has always tried to go to as many workshops as she could. It's her outlet from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Coulr was born out of this love of art and an attempt to create a one-of-a-kind pair of jeans for herself. That was when she realized it could become its own brand. But it's a complicated one, logistically. Each pair is customized, so time can be an issue. With grit and determination, however, Rawan nurtured Coulr to what it is today. She collaborates with local artists, so it has become a team effort that showcases inimitable work. Once an order has been made on the website, it gets sent to the artist based on the clients’ requests. It's then made, labeled, packed and shipped. The entire process takes a total of 7-10 working days from start to finish. Considering that Rawan has a demanding full-time job, Coulr arrives as a remarkable accomplishment. And she still believes that there's a lot of work ahead and more to be accomplished in the future. Coulr has helped Rawan grow as a person, as she thinks that there are many interesting things to learn about art, artists and their work. She's already learned first-hand how art can alter a person’s mood and state of mind. How layering colors could change your interpretation of a painting. Wassily Kandinsky, the Russian artist and theorist said it best, “Color is a power that directly influences the soul”. She has already added footwear and children’s clothing to the customized denim offering and is excited about adding more. After all, this is Rawan’s way of bringing more awareness to art. It was an idea and an experiment that became a product and a brand. And we’re pretty sure there will be more to come from Rawan and Coulr in the future.
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE How would your father describe you in one word? He usually tells me that I am attentive. 42
How would you describe your father in one word? One word is not enough for me to describe my father. He is positive, generous, enlightening, loving, and one of a kind. He is a big part of who I am today. What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? This summer my family and I went to Vancouver and zip-lined across the canyons of Grouse Mountain. We started off around the beautiful Blue Grouse Lake on the first few lines then, we went up higher and zip-lined at top speeds of 80-100km/hr across the peaks of Grouse and Dam Mountain. It was amazing! What is your theme song? I love music, all kinds of music and because of that I don’t have a specific genre. It all depends on the season, place, mood and time of year. To understand me better you can follow me on soundcloud @rabulhasan.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented? Love. Where would you like to live? What is your dream retirement location? I would say my ideal retirement home would be in a house on the beach somewhere in Europe. I see myself in an urban city that is located next to water. The calmness of the water and the life of a city would be the perfect combination for me. What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind? “Life is like riding a bicycle, to stay balanced you have to keep moving.” Quote by Albert Einstein. What animal best describes the kind of partner you’d be interested in? A falcon.
What do you miss about your childhood? Being care-free. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? Hmmm.. I don’t think I would. How would you describe your handshake in one word? Welcoming. What is the toughest part of your character? My patience. Who is your favorite historical figure? Princess Diana. What in the world do you least desire? Living a life without laughter. What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there was more of would make the world a better place? Kindness; if there was more kindness in this world of technology all the focus would be shifted from negativity to positivity and we would have a happier world. Why do you think most girls/guys like you? I am told that I am a good listener and I always try my best to see the good in people. Finish this sentence: “Happiness is a thing called…” Living in a peaceful world filled with love and laughter. You can find Coulr on coulr.com and follow them on Instagram @coulrkw for updates. 43
RED BULL PLAYER ONE
The international League of Legends tournament comes to Kuwait! By bazaar staff
As our resident geek & gamer will tell you, this part of the year is a busy one in the world of video games. It’s the time of year where all of the major blockbusters land on store shelves, in a bid to be crowned the holiday number one best seller. This year, we see a head to head war between Call Of Duty and Battlefield, battle of the platformers with Spiderman and Shadow Of The Tomb Raider, and open world epicness with Rockstars Red Dead Redemption 2 and the Spyro Trilogy. But this year specifically, something even bigger is happening. Red Bull Player One, an international League of Legends tournament, is coming to Kuwait! 128 gaming enthusiasts can compete for the national championship title in one of the most fast-paced competitive eSports tournament, and head to the World Final of Red Bull Player One in Brazil. The championship is completely unique and challenges in-game heroes across a variety of battlefields and game modes. The 1V1 format (or head-to-head) will be the platform for amateur gaming enthusiasts whose dream is to become a League of Legends star. Red Bull Kuwait is, no doubt, in the position to impress hundreds of gaming enthusiasts through hosting the globally popular event. 128 participants will battle it out in the online qualifiers from 14th – 17th October which will cut 120 gamers from the contest. Only the top eight most dedicated and throne-thirsty gamers can head to the on-ground National Final. This exciting part of the tournament will be held at Grand Cinemas Al Hamra on Friday 19th October. The winner of the Kuwait coveted title will head to the World Final in Brazil in November to compete against finalists from 15 other countries that have participated in the series all over the world. The series originally kicked off in Greece seven months ago, and the competition has continued since then in Ireland, Slovenia, Kosovo, Portugal, Peru, Chile, and Mexico. Qualifiers will continue in United Arab Emirates, Colombia, and Jordan. And we promise you the Kuwait edition will be no less exciting. After all, we’ve got some of the most avid gamers in the world, right here in Kuwait! The popular Red Bull Player One event in Kuwait is sponsored by Grand Cinemas, X-cite by Alghanim Electronics, Quality Net, PLG and Acqua Eva. 44
Brazil hosted the first ever Red Bull Player One final in 2014 and it will be a welcome return for the incredibly popular tournament which makes it possible for all League of Legends gaming enthusiasts to put their skills to the test.
To find out more about Red Bull Player One and to sign up for this exciting event, please follow @RedBullKuwait on Instagram & Twitter, and @RedBull on Facebook. To register for the event, please visit www.redbull.com/playeronekuwait.
KIB 1
ORGANIZED LOAFING By Dr Susannah Joy Schuilenberg
Earlier this week, I listened to Henry Blofeld, the “Voice of Cricket” try to explain the game. Apparently, this is no easy task. Cricket consists of slow-motion strategies and vocabulary fascinating to those who love cricket and incomprehensible to everyone else. Robin Williams, the legendary American comedian, once described cricket as “…baseball on valium.” (Since I think watching baseball is like watching paint dry, with apologies to all things British, I can’t imagine what it’s like to watch cricket.) Some-or-other Anglican bishop in the 1940s referred to cricket as “organized loafing.” That made me laugh. I thought about that phrase; “organized loafing.” I’m thinking we could all do more of that. Organized loafing. Planned relaxation. Strategic resting. Deliberate lazing. Mindful idling. How often do we actually do that? “Wait,” you say. “I go on vacation regularly!” Ah… but do you really? Do you actually vacation? I mean, do you stop? Mindfully and deliberately choosing to loaf. No agenda, no social media, no plans other than to play. Do nothing. Hang out in a hammock, read, sleep, saunter through the local zoo, visit the nearest museum browsing the galleries with no timetable, no schedule, no sense of urgency. No need to be anywhere else. Statistics about our collective loafing are dismal. The majority of us work more hours than we’re paid for, don’t actually rest when we’re not working and don’t take all the vacation days we’re entitled to. The consequence of all this working and not playing is S T R E S S. We live with stress hormone levels so high it causes ill health. Insomnia, heart palpitations, brain fog, difficulty making decisions, emotional instability, and other uncomfortable physical manifestations all the result of too much work and not enough rest. What would “organized loafing” look like to you? If you could imagine yourself crafting the ultimate opportunity to rest, what would that look like? Do you even know how to be off? The ability to relax is so needful for health and wellbeing that we neglect it at our own peril. Loafing looks different for different people, but it has elements that are the same. 1. No work – that is, NO WORK. 2. No schedule – no need to be anywhere to do anything. 3. No expectations – whatever I choose to do at this moment is the perfect thing to do. Loafing is an art. Work, is, well, work. Leisure is everything that isn’t work. Play, is not work…or leisure. When 46
we play, we are not doing work, nor are we doing non-work activities that make life livable. Like, oh, say… laundry, or dishes, or washing the kitchen floor. Play, is everything that isn’t work or leisure. The “balance” we’re looking for keeps work, our leisure, and our play in balance. Sadly, most of us are all about work-work-work-work-work-choreschores-chores-play. Or even worse, work-workwork-work-work-work-work-work-work-work, and not much else. This is a recipe for disaster. Physical, mental, and psychological. So…play. If you don’t know how, learn. Play on your days off. Take all the vacation you’re entitled to. Do stuff you’ve never done before. Think possibilities. Think adventure. Mental and physical health, and quality of life
are directly correlated to how well we know how to play and how often we do it. If there are things about your life that aren’t groovy maybe you need to add up how much time you play compared to how much time you work. If work and leisure and play aren’t about equal, for the sake of your health, change it. Take up the marvelous skill of organized loafing.
Dr Susannah is a leading psychologist, registered professional counsellor and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling based in Canada. For more information, please follow @DrSusannah on Twitter and Instagram and stay tuned for her latest updates.
KIB 2
TO BEACH OR NOT TO BEACH? A user’s guide to beaching in Kuwait
By Reem Al-Gharabally
Driving along the Arabian Gulf road, the sweep of the sparkling, blue waters is a constant reminder that Kuwait is geographically blessed with proximity to the sea. But the long coastline is underutilized by the public. Why are the city beaches not full of bathers as in other cities with a similar setting? Alec Gribble, long term resident of Kuwait and a supplier of stand up paddle boards from the Red Paddle Company says water quality concerns and access are the two main problems. “Most people are not sure which beaches are public. They don’t realize that almost all the beaches apart from the hotels and one or two special zones are all public,“ he says. Alec who regularly enjoyed the sea during his time in Kuwait in the early 90s was surprised to find on his return in 2007 that many beaches he used to frequent were now inaccessible to the public. The coast towards 48
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the south has been built up with private chalets and gates now block access to the alleyways that lead to the beaches. By introducing stand up paddle boarding in Kuwait he has helped many people enjoy the water again. Despite increasing access issues there are still a number of beaches dotted along the coastline that can be reached including the well-known city beaches in Marina Crescent, Blajat, Messila and Anjafa and smaller beaches further south to Abou al Hasaniya. But how safe are they to swim in? Dr. Talat Saeed from the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), who has conducted studies on sewage pollution in Kuwait waters, feels the media sensationalizes the water quality concerns. His message is upbeat. “Public beaches in Kuwait Bay (from Salmiya to Shuwaikh) are not bad. The beaches south of Salimya are better. Probably the best water quality is along the beaches further south (Ras Juleah to Alzoor),” he says. “Relatively, Kuwait seawater is of reasonable quality. The situation is not ideal but for sure it is not as bad and all of us can do something about it.”
According to Dr. Saeed the water quality in Kuwait is better than 15 years ago after the construction of Sulaibiya water treatment plant that treats domestic wastewater using the reverse osmosis (RO) technique. The reclaimed water is used for agricultural and industrial applications, gardening and for washing cars and buildings. “Now there is enough capacity to treat all of the sewage,” Dr. Saeed says. Even though it is not uncommon to see families wading in the waters near Shuwaikh beach Dr. Saeed says it is probably not the best for swimming because of its proximity to the port, the chlorine plant and the Ghazali drain. His advice to beachgoers: “Some common sense tips. Before going into the water, look around. If there is active storm drain (discharging sewage) stay away.” Messila residents have reported foul smell coming off the storm water drains most afternoons and say they can sometimes see the sewage being pumped out. They get around this by swimming in high tide when the water is coming in or 100 to 200 meters from the shore. Aside from water quality concerns, a walk on the
KIB 3
public beaches of Kuwait is a harsh reminder of the litter problem. In some cases it is just ugly – cigarette butts, soggy bread and plastic bags and bottles discarded by fishermen and picnickers. In other cases more dangerous litter like broken glass and syringes have been spotted. A resident of Abu Al Hasaniya who requested to remain anonymous says they recently gated their beach front property because the increase in the number of people using the beach in the last year has resulted in many problem for residents – noise, trash, buggies on the beach and in one instant a harpoon gun. “It has always been a public beach and in the past people have respected it. I feel that now there is a lack of respect for the neighbors, for the environment, for the place itself. “ she says. “In a place like Kuwait you need to have very strict rules and you need to impose them.” Environmental activist, campaigner and kayaker Bashar AlHuneidi, founder of Kayak4Kuwait who uses the sport to raise environmental awareness says until there is a change in such damaging behavior it is better that the beaches are underutilized. “Definitely they could be much better utilized but 50
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along with this I think there needs to be a proper plan to make them beautiful and to keep them beautiful,” he says. Arabic signs along some of the city beaches mention penalties for littering and ask residents to respect the shared bounty of the coast. But there is no evidence of active enforcement and no English language signs for non-Arabic speakers. But things may be changing. The EPA introduced a comprehensive Environmental Protection Law in 2014, which includes protection of the marine environment. “We need this law because we still have complete disregard for the environment. But it needs people to enforce it and a serious financial commitment from the government,” Bashar says. ”We see the message is getting out there, and people are more aware of it. I think with more enforcement we can remove some of the main issues.” He feels that beach clean ups alone will not change things but a change of behavior movement is what is required. “I have hope for the personal littering part because it is something you can change in an instant – you decide not to throw,” he says.
A sign that things might be improving is that, in this recent summer, Kuwait did not have a red tide - the harmful algai bloom that is exacerbated by the pollution in the water and causes fish kills. Other citizen eco warriors and groups have been emerging in the last year carrying out beach clean ups and raising environmental awareness. As the number of people using the beaches increases, one can hope that a change in behavior of both public and industry will result in more trust between beach residents and visitors alike to open up the beaches for more people to use, and to maintain a healthier water and marine environment. “When there is a better quality of outside space people naturally get attracted to it,” says Alec from Red Paddle Q8 “Although I love the solitude of being on the water early in the morning, it is really good to see more people out on their boards paddling, sailing or kayaking, especially in the weekends” For more information on Bashar Alhuneidi and Alec Gribble please follow their respective accounts @kayak4Kuwait and @redpaddleq8 on Instagram.
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TOUJOURS PLUS HAUT
Because doing the nitty-gritty work always counts By George Tarabay
Ah, bonjour mes amis! No, bazaar Magazine is not becoming French, otherwise they would be surrendering to the market trend (see what I did there? If you didn’t see, it’s a WW2 reference). It just seemed very fitting to greet you in French, as the title of this article is also in French. Q: What do these three French words mean? A: Always higher, ever higher, or higher and higher. It’s an expression that I have always applied to my life. Whatever I accomplish or work on, the moment I finish it I think: How can I do it bigger next time? Standing still petrifies me. Comfort makes me ache, and arrogance makes me sick. Arrogance is a killer of careers, a killer of advancement and an assassin of growth. It plays off your brain as a form of reward: I’m a status, I accomplished therefore I can position myself better. Yet accomplishment is never a destination, it’s a journey (I’ll wait, as you grab a tissue to relieve your tears from the depth of that sentence). Every time I reach a milestone, I look back at previous ones and think: If this, today, is better than that which I did yesterday, then I am sure that what I would accomplish tomorrow will be way better than today’s results. And that thought makes me understand and grasp the concept of a journey versus arriving at a destination. There is no one universal status that is maintainable, look at Hollywood for example. Choose any director or actor who's an OG with classics under their belt and track back to their entire career. You would be shocked to find that you’ve probably never heard of some of their works, or that they weren’t well received, even though they were established as a respectable crafts-person (feminist points for me). The one exception to that rule is: Meryl Streep. Don’t ask, just accept it. Therefore, being on top of the game, or a top MVP does not guarantee durability nor does it translate into “sit down, we’ll get everything you need or want”. It’s when you’re at the top that you need to work harder and stronger and further into your dream or company or career or whatever the case may be. Hard work pays off either financially or mentally, respectively in success or failure. Financial success isn’t lasting and neither is status. Work hard. Work harder. Then work harder-ER. Work, until you need to get to the ER (pun score: 72627 gazillion points). I said it before, I’ll say it again: survival is not only in favor of the fittest, but also in favor of the bold. And being at the top and working as if you’re 52
in the bottom, is the highest ranking bold status there is. It’s probably at this point that Yasmine, (Yes, you Yasmine. My editor at bazaar) might be wondering: what prompted him to even write this piece? Well, as we are moving to our new office, and working on the interior and painting the walls. This was when my business partner (also my friend) and I met with a friend as we were leaving, and she asked us a question to which its answer had me thinking all afternoon: Why don’t you hire someone and pay them to paint the interiors for you? Now my in-the-moment answer was: I love painting, plus I have the time. But the thought kept bouncing around in my brain all day since that encounter. Go and check every story of every huge company out there, companies that were able to make a difference in their industry and in their generation, not one of their stories started with “We hired a painter to paint our office .” The story
always began with “we did it all by ourselves in the beginning”. Now, our company is not fresh, this is our fourth year, but it is still very young and very small. To some, it might be big, but compared to our dream, it’s still very small. And when it becomes an empire, because we dream big and work for it, I want my partner or myself to be giving a public speech to the youth and be able to look back and say: We painted it ourselves. Then immediately, look forward and ask ourselves: “Now, what could be higher than this?” Toujours plus haut. Paint away, my friends.
George Tarabay is a marketing expert/ Filmmaker/ comedian/Podcaster. Follow him on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, SoundCloud @GeorgeTarabay. Photo by Yoann Siloine on Unsplash.
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IT’S TIME TO INVEST WISELY
Gulf Bank highlights the impact of fund fees on investment returns By Tareq M. Al-Saleh and bazaar staff
The days of hiding your money under your mattress are thankfully over. Still, it’s quite common to learn that many people don’t have the faintest idea of how to actually invest their money that's idly sitting in the bank, and this is simply because the everyday person could feel that they aren’t equipped to take control of such major financial decisions. In this day and age, and with an overwhelming wealth of information available to us at our fingertips, this can be quite the daunting task. Nonetheless, it’s really integral to wrap your mind around the basics—starting with how you could invest your money, what fees are involved, and the impact that these fees could have on your investment returns. There are many reasons to invest in today’s markets. Never before have markets been this global, and never before have we seen such an incredible opportunity to increase one’s wealth like we have today. If you’re dreaming of setting a little something aside to go traveling around the world one day, why not look to your bank for an investment opportunity? This is why an enlightening discussion with Gulf Bank’s AGMInvestments—Consumer Banking Tareq M. AlSaleh is in order. Not only did Tareq devise and spearhead Gulf Bank’s brand new investment platform WISE that’s completely revolutionizing the way in which we could manage our financial investments, he also has some key tips to share about investing in general to help you get started. What happens when you choose to invest You’ve decided to invest your money with the bank—great! How this technically works is quite straightforward. Tareq breaks it down, “Fund houses manage client assets in various products including mutual funds and take key investment decisions to enable growth and accumulate wealth. In order to perform this role, typically the respective fund houses charge several types of fees, and may be incentivized to do so.” Understand your investment fees When you’re day dreaming about your splendid retirement home, set in tropical climes and surrounded by pristine blue waters, it’s so easy to forget about the actual fees that go into the type of investment that you are looking to make, 54
and you could easily hand over your money to an investment manager expecting a specific amount in returns, when the reality isn’t quite so. Tareq says, “Investors in general focus primarily on returns while ignoring the impact due to fees charged by the investment manager. Due to the complexity in fee structuring, it becomes difficult for an investor to track the effects [of the fees] on returns. However, a small rise in fee could adversely impact returns in a sizeable way. Hence, it is more fruitful to invest with managers, who show all their fees in a transparent manner compared to the ones, who charge multiple fees.” Tareq even broke down the different types of investment-related fees that one could expect, and he says that the most important investment fee to take into consideration is the management fee charged for performing all the needed activities to accumulate wealth on your initial investment. This takes work on your investment manager’s part, from “stock
research and selection, portfolio construction, monitoring and rebalancing.” After all, your investment manager would be highly trained in this field, and would be able to grow your portfolio whilst taking into account both local and global market forces. But you see, some other fees could easily add up. Tareq says that sometimes, a performance fee is charged by the managers “to ensure there is an ongoing incentive to outperform the market index. Apart from these annual fees, the fund also incurs regular operational costs including legal and audit fees, administration expenses, sales/agent commissions and marketing and selling costs,” and those fees are on top of whether or not your investment is returning a profit or a loss. Also note the following, every time a fresh investment is made into your investment fund, or if you withdraw funds due to unforeseen circumstances or even if you have to close your investment early, a transaction charge
is incurred by you. Charges are completely expected, especially when you’re just about to start your investment or you’re considering exiting a fund, but for every single action? This can become financially unviable, as these fees keep cutting into your potential investment profits. So with all of these fees, you’re tempted to take your money and run away? Yes? That’s where you’d be wrong! With the right investment plan, the right fund house, and most importantly, the right investment manager who would offer you a simpler and more transparent fee structure— this is where the real potential for investment comes into play. Tareq insists that “a strategy that focuses on the containment of investment costs would equally help the investor to reap rewards in the long-term.” Get to know your investment manager, get to know your investment structure The relationship that you would build with your investment manager is paramount to a fruitful investment plan. Think of it this way, just as you would have a trusted tailor to create your bespoke custom-made work suits, you keep coming back to them because of the relationship that you built. Transparent investment managers can be truly hard to come by, and Tareq states that, “Different investment managers structure their fees in different ways. While some charge a flat fee, others tend to break them up into sub components based on a variety of criteria.” A good investment manager will just do the job, but a great one will inform you, and educate you about how your investment fund is going and how the process would actually work. The power of investing wisely Perhaps nobody understands these investment challenges better than Tareq. This is why he took all of these factors into account when the time came for Gulf Bank to launch WISE, an investment platform that simplifies the entire process of investing your money from A-Z. With simply a few steps, you can easily set up your account to invest in international markets in an easy, transparent, and most importantly, cost-efficient manner. Why do we love WISE? Its transparency, because you can easily check your investment portfolio anywhere and anytime from your personal devices such as a mobile phone or iPad. Tareq also gave us an even bigger incentive to get on board: A low, flat, annual fee and tax efficient investment when opening up an account with WISE. Gone are those pesky hidden fees that keep eating away from your potential investment profits. Setting up your wise account is really easy. The experts at WISE first need to get to know you through an easy-to-understand questionnaire. Upon filling it out in mere minutes, the team (and expertly crafted banking algorithms) at
WISE determine your financial goals (how much do you want to make), risk appetite (how much are you willing to possibly lose) and time horizon (over how many years) to create a portfolio that meets your needs. The WISE service follows the Nobel Prize winning passive index investing strategy by investing with a long term view in a globally diversified portfolio. From there, WISE invests your funds in low-cost and diversified Exchange Traded Funds, and your portfolio is annually rebalanced to meet your target investment goals. In looking at all of the above challenges which Tareq spoke of, we feel that finding
the right investment partner could be the most difficult one to manage. But with WISE, Gulf Bank’s investment advisors will be with you every step of the way to help you better understand how your investment objectives may be achieved. Learn more about WISE in our next issue, where we sit down with Gulf Bank’s AGMInvestments Tareq M. Al-Saleh to discuss the potential of investing with Gulf Bank’s WISE platform and how you can get started with WISE today. For more information, please visit http://www.gulfbankwise.com. 55
STARTUP CHALLENGES
Common challenges MENA entrepreneurs face when starting online ventures
By Baraka Bits
The Middle East and North Africa region is home to a rising tech startup scene. There is no lack of ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs that are well prepared and ready to disrupt things for the better in the region. Like entrepreneurs everywhere, the ones in the MENA region face the all-toofamiliar challenges of securing seed funding and hiring the right talent, and then there are challenges that are unique to the region. What type of issues do MENA entrepreneurs find the most difficult to overcome? Read on to learn more. Held Up by Bureaucracy MENA entrepreneurs do not necessarily lack funding resources, as the investors are seemingly there to pool their money in order to ride the tech wave throughout the region with the thriving younger population. However, by ranking very low on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, it certainly doesn’t scream “growth” for the region. Moving or expanding to other countries in the region are severely hindered by strict regulations, making it difficult to expand. While stakeholders would certainly enjoy expansion, it would have to pass regulations and be approved by the various governing bodies. Lack of Financial Literacy and Training Nearly everywhere in the MENA region, financial literacy and training options are very limited. Entrepreneurs who want to launch small businesses may find themselves without access to viable talent. Therefore, MENA startups usually have to adopt unorthodox tools to get off the ground. It’s not uncommon for entrepreneurs to rely on online resources to get things done, whereas traditionally, a local employee would have performed the task. Entrepreneurs and decision makers may have to tap into virtual freelance talent, which might be located overseas, that can help entrepreneurs get started with their business. Though it’s not necessarily impossible to overcome the constraint of a viable workforce in the region, it can be quite difficult for a cash-strapped new venture maneuver around it. Narrow Markets The demand for online services in the MENA region can be limited due to low internet use. While people stay connected to the internet mainly via their various mobile devices, online shopping is not as widespread as it is in the West. This limits the target audience for MENA entrepreneurs. When the market is narrow, the profit margin may also follow suit. A related problem of narrow 56
markets is fierce competition. Multiple startups may end up competing for a small customer base. While competition usually breeds innovation and improvements within a market, there are times it can have an adverse effect as well. You could very well scare away promising startups from emerging in the market to begin with. Narrow markets also stifle the ability of an online business to drive ad revenue. Offering free goods or services and monetizing on ads entirely has been a highly successful business model for some notable startups in the West, but this Facebook and Google-style business model is hard to implement in the MENA region due to smaller-scale markets. Though there certainly are companies that have successfully tackled this issue. For example, the popular e-book business Abjjad makes money off ads embedded in the e-books customers download for free, and have been quite successful at it. Intellectual Property Protection Issues There’s a widespread fear among MENA entrepreneurs regarding intellectual property protection. Some governments, though not all, lack adequate IP enforcement that startups are
often highly reliant on. IP theft can also become an additional headache for new e-businesses struggling to get off the ground. Entrepreneurs in the region are vocal about adopting strong IP enforcement models for businesses on a local level. This does require government support, which can vary depending on which country the online business is headquartered in. Lastly, a pervasive problem MENA entrepreneurs face is that of political turmoil in the region. With several areas in the region experiencing civil unrest, it’s difficult for entrepreneurs to predict the impact political crises may have on their businesses. Some countries are more affected by political unrest than others, but instability equally affects the region as a whole. Then again, experienced investors and businesspeople are quite capable of getting a venture off the ground even amidst unrest. MENA entrepreneurs may face more severe challenges than their counterparts in Europe, East Asia, or North America, but that doesn’t mean the future of startups in the region is any less promising. Photo by Al ghazali on Unsplash.
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FROM CLUTTER TO CLARITY: Ghadah Battles the Hurricane By Ayesha Kamal
I walk into Ghadah Alkandari’s house and I am immediately enveloped in warmth; from the welcoming hug to the hot cup of tea in my hands to the colorful surroundings. At first, I wonder if my writing about her art and upcoming show will be a different conversation from those we normally have during our weekly Thursday meetups. We usually talk about what is going on in our world, analyze our evolving emotions, and strategize on how to tackle difficult situations. We mull over complex issues, such as managing close relationships, and simpler ones like deciding the color of our hair. What I come to realize is that those topics are not irrelevant to her art at all. In fact, they are deeply connected and represented in her work, as it is driven by events in her life.
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This particular show Hurricane PM: My Life From October to October, being exhibited at Dar al Funoon from October 22 to November 1, is an autobiographical retelling of the past year of her life. It relays the story of an incident that sparked a cascade of events that made an impact on Ghadah physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and as such, are represented throughout her work. Starting from a time of darkness, stormy moods, and turmoil, she progressed to a point where she finally saw a clearing in the path: a clean state, a new phase, a hopeful future. It is interesting to walk into a familiar space with a new pair of spectacles on. I am not just sitting in my friend Ghadah’s house but rather with an artist in her studio. But are they not one and the same? Over the next couple of hours, we talk and laugh as usual, and within that time, I learn more about her creative process and the events that trigger her creative flow. Ghadah’s Creative Process One of the things that I love most about Ghadah’s house is that it is constantly changing: a table in the hallway, an easel by the window or perhaps against a wall, canvases up, canvases down, along with an assortment of paints and brushes. Her house is like an art installation in itself. She tells me that her surroundings are very much representative of her creative process, which itself is a cycle of change, starting from ordered surroundings and a blank canvas to chaos and color. She tells me, “You can look at my process as a cycle: there is a neat room, ordered. Then when I start, there’s no way I am going to put things back in order while I’m painting. It’s like when you get a new set of color pencils. You really want to put everything back in rainbow order. But there’s no way, that after using it for a year it’s going to go back to how it was. The work continues, and then when I’m done, I clean up. Everything falls back in order.” At the moment, Ghadah is working on decluttering her house. Furniture that has been there for years is being taken away. The walls are being painted. A new space is being created. Just as her body, emotions, and mindset have been going through a transition over the past year, so has her house. At the moment, it is having an impact on her creativity. She says, “I just need to get my house sorted out. It’s important that I do that before I move on because I can’t paint with a clutter. It’s all such a big part of my life, that’s why it’s so important. My life is essential to the paintings and the paintings are essential to my life.” What strikes me most about our conversation is the normality of it all. We are sitting on the sofa chatting as usual, and everything seems as it always was. However, as it becomes evident in the way Ghadah discusses her creative process, when you are in a particular mindset, certain events seem anything but normal. We have this incredible ability (handicap?) to filter what we see, hear, think,
Ghadah (left) and I chat during one of our customary Thursday morning teas at her place.
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Bed, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 180 x 240 cm
and understand based on where our mind is at in that very moment. This selectiveness is guided by our emotions, whether we realize it or not. Ghadah shares a story: “I had a jar with some of my paintbrushes in it. I had washed it, filled it back up with water, and placed it back on the table to continue painting. I couldn’t for the life of me find it again. I knew it was on that cluttered table. And I needed those paintbrushes. So I got a new jar and found another set of brushes similar to the ones in the lost jar. I put the new jar down and start painting. When I was done, I placed my paintbrush back into the original jar, which was there all along. Just where it was supposed to be. To me that exemplified how my brain is when I’m working. Colors: I’ll go to pick up yellow and end up picking up red. It’s just crazy.” Even though the jar had always been there, she could not see it. There was something in her that did not allow her to see what was obviously there, but then her instinctive mind and automatic reflex guided her back to where she needed to be. While 60
she does create her art with a certain framework in mind, sometimes what she produces is driven by happenstance. “I’m still learning so much. When I’m painting, I’m discovering techniques. It’s fun, it’s trial and error. When I have a show coming up, I purposefully don’t look at any other art. I just want it all to come from me. I’m not inventing anything, but I’m inventing it to myself. And so much of it is circumstantial. Let’s say I use a brush and this brush is coarse or has some old bits of paint on it, it can have a really interesting effect.” Painting her Experience October 1, 2017 marked the start of a change for Ghadah. That night she experienced the first of a series of anxiety attacks while on an extended visit to London. While biologically the experience may have been understood and even in some ways expected, it was still hard to completely grasp the changes that were happening inside her. Anxiety, triggered by what? A blocked ear, triggered by what? She was surrounded by unanswered questions
and looking at a path in front of her, destination unknown. The painting process has been the venture down that path. While this collection of works may have started because of a struggle that was quite emotional and difficult to get through, it has turned into a voyage of discovery. Her paintings are truly organic in nature as there is no way she can predict her thoughts and emotions or how they will develop as they are anchored in her life circumstances. Ghadah describes her first painting as one that is stormy and dark, which depicts the emotional space she was in, and it comes out in her painting. When I ask her about it she tells me that it is not finished, but it is complete. She explains, “The first painting I did for the show is very dark. Literally dark. Dark colors. It’s not finished but it’s done, because I feel it’s complete. But I also can’t finish it because I am not where I was when I started it. Where I was when I began was a transitional state between being debilitatingly depressed and anxious to one where I was slightly so and could do something about it. It helped to create the painting.
It was just something I needed to do. It’s scary when you’re debilitated to the point where you can’t feel joy in your work.” Upon realizing that something was wrong, she sought treatment in acupuncture, with the hope of removing this mysterious blockage that has affected her ears. This process was therapeutic and revealing and was the theme of another two of her paintings, one of which is her current favorites. She describes the woman in it: “There’s something about her face. Again, I always think that I didn’t create the face, it just happened. When you’re painting an imaginary person, they become a human being detached from yourself. She’s like a stranger; she’s there and she’s looking at you. As I painted her left eye, my hand shook and it created this line that looked like a tear. So I left it the way it was, almost like a tattoo. I didn’t mean for her to cry, but she did. It’s exciting. I look at all these empty canvases and I wonder what’s going to happen. Every one of them is like a little trip somewhere, a little experience.”
Fatima’s Needles I, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 101 x 152 cm
The Symbolism of Red The color red is particularly significant in Ghadah’s current work. Aside from being a striking, vibrant color, it is also one that symbolizes a life force. It is the color of our blood. It represents vitality and passion, as well as danger. For Ghadah, it particularly represents a change within herself: physically, chemically, emotionally. Her life force was shaken so violently that it took her to an unfamiliar territory. This physical change that she has been going through is accompanied by unexpected emotions, uncontrollable physical symptoms, and unpredictable outcomes. We discuss the symbolism of red. To me, I associate it with lava simmering and bubbling inside a volcano, representing my own inner turmoil. The eruption of the volcano symbolizes a relief, with the red, fiery lava covering all the surrounding surfaces. She agrees: “It is like that. It is a volcano. You are festering. All this stuff is inside you. For me, now, looking back at October 1st, when it all began, sometimes I think I just had a nervous breakdown. And being alone didn’t help. I still try to figure it out. Parts of me think it was almost mystical. It just didn’t make any sense. Ultimately, it was a nonromantic explanation that I settled on: menopause. There was no way to romanticize it, this is as romantic as it gets.” Womanity It was through these physical changes that the feeling of womanhood was emphasized. While gender can never be isolated from who we are, this current cycle of change served as a reminder of constant evolution, continued turmoil. A ticking clock. While mulling over these changes, she came up with a word: Womanity. She explains: “It was the first time I wished I wasn’t a woman. As women we are constantly going through change: you go through puberty, that’s turmoil. Pregnancy, birth,
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post-partum depression. And you would think that by now I’d have experienced it all. But no, surprise! It’s this. We are constantly fluctuating, always on our toes. It has affected a couple relationships with me. Not that it should have, but it has. It’s just been a year of introspection for me as a woman. And a re-examination of my past. Remembering that I did have anxiety in the past, like when I was pregnant. There was a feeling of deep depression. That feeling of no joy and detachment was scary. But at the time sleeping helped. Last October, I couldn’t even do that.” Searching for a Resting Place Ghadah is not unfamiliar with struggle and emotional detachment. She has experienced it before. However, in the past, she was able to find an escape in sleep. This time it was different. Rather than being able to escape to her bed for safety and comfort to rest, recover, and maybe even dream, ‘bed’ became an unfriendly place. One sleepless night became a second and it continued to spiral out of control. It seemed that the only way to get back to sleep was to make the bed more comfortable, more alluring, adorned with the temptation of sleep. But time has showed that the layers of clutter did not provide comfort. They were a distraction. They were occupying a space within her that needed to be free. What was needed was a complete cleansing, a clean slate without any obstruction from miscellaneous people or things. Sometimes it is only when we are stripped bare that the truth is allowed to emerge. She explains her painting Bed. “The concept of a bed was important because I went through months when I couldn’t sleep in a bed. Any bed. And I would only sleep on the couch. In the painting I’m being carried by a man taking me to that bed (or away from it, I’m not sure) and just looking over me. My bed wasn’t a friendly place, and I needed a friendly place to sleep. When that bed isn’t friendly and feels like a beast, it feels like you’re dying. It’s not something you want in your room. So I have a new bed now.” Knitting it all Together One of the three components in her upcoming exhibition will be a knit installation that she has been working on for the past year. “The knitting is important because it’s a tactile way to represent this blood that disrupted my life a few years ago, and I ultimately had to undergo a D&C. It disrupted my days. It disrupted my trips. I couldn’t go out, it was like a flood. Life became unpredictable. You don’t know when it’s going to come and it’s all that uncertainty and fear. So it felt right to create this red cascade of sinewy blood. I wanted to make something visceral, literally and figuratively, and hopefully when I put it together, it will be stunning.” Connecting through Art Ghadah’s hope is to serve as an ambassador for Kuwait through her artwork. It is through her
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Entrails on the beach. Photo by Reem Algharabali
brushstrokes that she sees herself as a patriot and representative of her country. I ask her what she hopes others will get from the show, she says, “I want them to feel something. I don’t want them to glance and then look away. I want people to stare, even if it’s just staring at one little spot because they love the way the color is peeping through. It’s always good when it moves people to tears. Or makes them laugh or smile. It is what it served me and then it’s whatever it serves everybody else.” This exhibition offers a glimpse into the deciphering process that Ghadah has gone through in the past year. It takes you along on a journey from pain and darkness to one of healing and light. The act of painting captures the image in her mind’s eye and unearths the connection
between emotional connections and physical manifestations. “I think if you look back in retrospect you can always tell the story of my life through these works by putting my paintings side by side. And this is just one little chapter of that story.”
For more information about Ghadah Alkandari’s upcoming exhibition, please follow @prettygreenbullet on Instagram.
Chilli beans
TAKE A STAND ON SOAPBOX
The Promenade retail incubator comes to life By bazaar staff
Stay in Kuwait for a mere moment and one of the first things you will notice, apart from the heavily stacked aisles of sweets and chocolates in the supermarkets, is how inspiringly entrepreneurial the people here are. Someone always has an idea they are working on, or an Instagram or home business and are working their socks off to get some traction in their chosen market. Recognizing this, and wanting to explore and support these local upcoming entrepreneurs, The Promenade decided to devote prime retail space and provide sound business advice to successful Soapbox candidates via a mentorship model. An experienced team of mentors gives professional advice and support services specifically tailored to the entrepreneur’s needs. Looking more closely into exactly what is a retail incubator, as the name suggests, it is a safe, nurturing environment which supports and prepares new business owners in their economic ventures. With low overheads and flexible terms Soapbox tenants can choose from pre-fitted, manageably sized shop spaces or they can opt for shorter-lease kiosks or pop-up. Once moved-in the focus can immediately be on sales and building the business’ brand. Developing fresh retail concepts ensures a diverse and vibrant local economy and, as well as a brick-and-mortar presence, Soapbox features an e-commerce portal through which tenants have access to a wider audience. Here, they can market their products and services online, capturing sales via the web which exponentially increases the potential for higher turnover. Entrepreneurs also have the use of low-cost delivery services through a third-party partner, so less of their profit is eaten up by getting the stock to the customer. Among the first tenants to take their place with Soapbox is Dar Scrubs, a company that specializes in bright and practical scrubs that you want to be seen in. When asked why Dar Scrubs is so keen to work under the Soapbox mantle, General Manager Abdulrahman Alselim enthusiastically recounts, “Soapbox has been a catalyst for our business! Speeding up the growth and guiding us towards the correct path. Being part of this retail incubator has given us huge competitive advantage and that is because of the countless services and assistance they provide.” Soapbox also serves double duty as a community space where workshops for entrepreneurs, events and activities are held throughout the year starting with an official launch in October compered by writer and comedian Hoda Abbas Marafie and 64
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musical performances curated by Amin Fari. It is hoped for Soapbox to become a Millennials hub, with like-minded, similarly goal-oriented individuals with a knack for business coming together and creating opportunities for each other. This can be in commercial enterprises or in social causes, whatever it takes to get things done and to be a positive force for community in Kuwait. So where did the name Soapbox come from? You may have heard someone before say, “Get off your soap box” in response to hearing a person’s opinion being voiced. A soap box used to be the actual wooden box used to cart soap and other goods that would be upturned and stood upon in a gathering of people on the streets. This would elevate the speaker above the heads of the people whose attention they wanted to attract, whose support they wanted to gather. Here the orator would opine on subjects they were passionate about, because the working classes were given no other platform to be heard on. These boxes became a symbol of free speech and personal expression. In the same way Soapbox is a “platform for success” a stage for making a statement through
a unique and creative retail experience. This is an exciting project that will hopefully pave the way for local entrepreneurialism being supported and celebrated by the long-established business community within Kuwait. And it is good news for shoppers too, to be given the choice to spend their dinars with local independents which offer unique and high-quality items. The bazaar team sent two people to Soapbox to cover this story and both of them came away having bought something! You won’t be able to resist either!
For more Soapbox news follow @soapboxkw on Instagram and Facebook. The Promenade is located on 3rd Ring Road, opposite Qadsiya and can be easily accessed by road and the local public transport system. For more on The Promenade’s activities and events follow them on Instagram @thepromenadekw or call 2227 7130. For the Promenade Culture Centre follow them on Instagram @promenadeculturecentre. To apply for a space at Soapbox or for more information visit www.applyforabox.com.
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Meet The SOAPBOX Tenants! UNIT A group of local entrepreneurs who specialize in product designing and manufacturing home accessories in Kuwait. They specialize in mabakhir (Arabian Incense burners) made from different materials ranging from wood, metals and even concrete, and they can also provide customizable gift items for special occasions, even weddings and corporate giveaways. UNIT is certain to provide you with that special item showcasing customizable creative design. Instagram @unitkw.
Dar Scrubs Headed by a young entrepreneurial doctor who raised the bar when it comes to scrubs and doctors’ uniforms. Their vast collection of modern scrubs and doctors’ jackets has elevated your standard offering to colorful, fashionable, comfortable and fit for purpose. Officially the sole agent to many internationally renowned brands including the famous Gray's Anatomy's scrub collection. Make sure to check out their creative flash drives and awesome, massive mugs. Instagram @darscrubs.
Najla Boutique Two cousins with a fashionable eye who specialize in designer evening gowns. Whether it’s a date night with your loved one, or your best friend's wedding, you’re sure to find that perfect outfit to stand out from the crowd and make your experiences extra special. Make sure to regularly check out their latest collections! Instagram @najla.boutique.kw.
JF Scaves Expanding on the existing business and vamping the ever-growing collection, JF scarves is proving to be one of the best retailers for fashionably popular Hejabs (head scarves). Accompanying their collection are tailored tops and some of the most stylish accessories to be found, plus JF is an authorized Swarovski retailer. Instagram @jfscarves.
EZ Store Looking for that special gift for yourself or someone else just became easier! A unique store specializing in awesome gadgets, exclusive collectables and latest mobile accessories. Bring your personality to work with their recent POP Figures collection or show off your classic EZ exclusive "f.r.i.e.n.d.s" collection at home, this store is bound to have something interesting to catch your eye. Instagram @ezstorekw.
Nuwair Make a highlight of your family gatherings the customizable and delicious chocolate or petit fours trays from Nuwair. They curate gift baskets with scrumptious nibbles, and even live plants as well as lovely stationery and cards. With simple steps to get your started on the perfect celebration gift, you'll be the center of attention at your next meet up. Everything from Creative Mugs (by local designers) to pretty note books for your messages. Nuwair is your one-stop shop for gifts! Instagram @nuwair_kw.
Secret Stage Ever dream of owning your own customized arcade games with classic games such as Pacman? Well the talented team behind Secret Stage has made that dream affordable! Specializing in refurbished Arcade machines to even fully customizing them to suit your office, cafe or even your home. A place made for true arcade fans. Instagram @secretstage.
Artizana Wondering what a bazaar full of handmade crafts specially picked from all around Morocco and Spain looks like? Look no further than Artizana where you'll get lost in the fine art and curiosities hanging all around the place. From unique coffee tables and center pieces, to home décor and one-of-a-kind paintings, you'll be sure to impress your loved ones with items from Artizana’s immense collection. Instagram @artizana_artizana2. Dilek Looking for sophisticated style at affordable prices, then Dilek can provide you with the latest fashion trends to ensure you’re never seen next to someone wearing the same outfit! Their unique collection from all around the world is aimed for outgoing women who like to maintain an air of modest mystery. With many items continually being sold out, don’t think twice about making Dilek the first stop on your visit. Instagram @dileklounge.
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BEST KEPT TOGETHER
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BRUCE LEE’S CHINATOWN
Tour offers a personal look at Lee, beyond martial arts stardom By Crystal Paul
Seeing Seattle’s Chinatown through the lens of the martial artist reveals the community’s rich living history. Don Wong knew Bruce Lee. As young men, they worked at Ruby Chow’s restaurant together. When Wong, leading the Wing Luke Museum’s “Bruce Lee’s Chinatown Tour” describes his connection with the martial-arts star, it’s not the brag you might expect. He speaks with a touch of sadness as he reminisces about attending the judo classes Lee held at the restaurant after hours. Wing Luke, where the tour starts, is bustling with 140 students on a field trip. But there are just three of us here for the Wednesday tour — Diana and Judd, a couple visiting from Arizona, and me. The tour has only been hosted by the museum for the past few years. Before that, it was part of Chinatown Discovery Tours, run by Wong’s sister and her husband. They donated it to the museum in 2014, the same year the museum partnered with the Bruce Lee Foundation to launch the Do You Know Bruce? exhibition series, the only Bruce Lee-focused exhibit outside of Hong Kong. We start the tour in a small room on the second floor of the museum, where photos of Bruce Lee, his family, Ruby Chow, and the family friends who hosted Lee in Seattle are grouped on the walls. Wong speaks easily and knowledgeably without sounding the least bit rehearsed. He makes casual conversation between stops at one of Lee’s former studios and Tsue Chong Company, the 101 year-old Seattle company that makes 68
and distributes Rose Brand noodles and fortune cookies. Wong is a well-known and welcome face around the Chinatown community. When Diana wonders aloud about a pastry which she only knows as "paw be" (actually lao po beng, translating roughly to “honey cake” or “sweetheart cake,”) that she can’t find back home in Arizona, Wong stops in at Tsue Chong and talks with his friend behind the counter about where they might find one. We make some stops at different family-association buildings, where Wong explains the history of family groups and the first arrival of Chinese families to the area. Before long we’re hunting along Weller Street for a bakery, where Wong finds the lao po beng for Diana. The baker here has them labeled as “Winter Melon Cake.” Diana orders three to take home to her parents, folding the bag securely and carrying them like something precious for the rest of the tour. We take a brisk walk through Uwajimaya, where Wong shows us the famous love-it-or-find-it-absolutely-disgusting durian fruit, followed by a brief stop at the Chinatown Gate. Toeing the blurred borders between the Japanese and Chinese communities, Wong guides us to Higo’s, a store in the Nihonmachi community previously run by one of the few Japanese families to return from internment and reclaim their property. Diana and Judd begin conferring with each other as Wong leads us to Tai Tung, one of the oldest continuously running restaurants in Seattle and a Bruce Lee haunt, according to Wong. A work conference calls the couple away, so Wong and I find ourselves one-on-one over a
spread of fried chicken, Napa cabbage soup, broccoli and Bruce Lee’s two favorite dishes: beef with oyster sauce, and black beans and prawns in garlic sauce. Over lunch, it becomes clear that Wong’s knowledge of the city extends far beyond Chinatown. He tells me about the many transformations Seattle has gone through, and the changes to come, and the places where people find home and comfort among these changes — places like Chinatown, where many older, first-generation Chinese residents choose to live because it reminds them of home. After lunch, our waitress, with whom Wong shares a comfortable rapport, packs up the leftovers, and after a stop at the Tai Tung memorial booth, where Lee used to eat his beef with oyster sauce, we head back to Wing Luke, where Wong offers me a hongbao, or red envelope, which contains a little treat, and suggests I take the time to visit the Bruce Lee exhibit once the last group of students has made their rowdy way through. This has been one of my first tours in the city, and I feel that it’s already my favorite. The tour offers more than just factoids about Lee — you get an immersive look into the Chinatown of his life. And Wong’s personal connection to Lee offers an understanding of Lee the man, rather than just Lee the martial-arts star. But most important, Lee’s story, as told through the streets of the International District, is a gateway to the living history that makes and has made Seattle’s Chinatown such a strong community.
Carriage
MERCURY RISING Rami Malek embodies Freddie Mercury, the Persian Popinjay, in Bohemian Rhapsody
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For Rami Malek playing Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” was both daunting and incredibly exciting. “At first it was pure shock. As an actor, I don’t think there’s ever this law of depreciating excitement when things like this happen in your career, especially when you are being asked to play Freddie Mercury,” he says of the moment when he was first offered the role. “So it’s a moment that halts you in your tracks and it is at once euphoric and thrilling and then there’s a hit of the magnitude and of the weight you have to take on with this legendary man who lives in the hearts of so many people and is revered as being one of the most talented artists of any generation. “You can imagine the immense weight of that. Now there’s also some ambitious part of me that gets wildly excited and starts thinking about how to begin to inhabit this unique and magnificent creature.” Malek clearly embraced the challenge; immersing himself in the music of a band that he already loved, studying the songs that Mercury wrote himself and researching the life of the man born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar who would go on to reinvent himself as Freddie Mercury the iconic front man for one of the biggest bands in the world. He found, too, that he could identify with Freddie’s remarkable journey from Zanzibar via Bombay to London where he met Brian May (Gwilym Lee), Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) and John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello) and formed Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody recreates the band’s incredible show stealing performance at the 1985 Live Aid concert in aid of the Ethiopian famine refugees. “Freddie referred to his childhood as an ‘upheaval of an upbringing’ so I just started to somehow draw a connection to my own life and being a first generation American,” says Malek. “My parents moved to America from Egypt to seek a better life for me and when I told them that I was going to be an artist that was a very difficult stance for me to take. There were aspects of his experience that I could relate to, which somehow allowed it to be less of a daunting task of looking at Freddie Mercury the superstar. “There’s a relentlessness and determination to your fight and drive if you have not been born into opportunity or the avenues that you seek.” Brian May, Roger Taylor and Queen’s manager Jim Beach (played by Tom Hollander) are all co-producers on the film and Malek recalls the “earth shattering” experience when May and Taylor first heard and saw him perform as Freddie. “I went to Abbey Road to record everything, which was such an unforgettable moment for me. It is the holy grail of recording studios and it’s full of photographs of the legends that have recorded there. It’s incredibly inspiring. [Continued...]
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“On my last day, when we got to go back and do a little more recording, I had a chance to play a little bit on the piano that The Beatles used, and it was unforgettable. This film has run the gamut of emotions for me but the highs have been higher than any you could hope for. “Sharing what I got to record, which is a tape of me emulating Freddie, with Brian May and Roger Taylor was quite a moment. I thought they had seen it before we met and half way through our conversation I realized they hadn’t. “And so I had to watch myself, interpreting Freddie for the first time standing between two of the people who know him better than anyone. You can imagine how intimidating that was.” And what was their reaction? “Roger was characteristically cool and reserved and Brian, who I had noticed had been eyeing me up and down, came out with such a compliment that I was quite moved by.” “I had put all of myself into preparing for this and trying to do this person justice that getting that acceptance from them was inspiring and propelling.” Lucy Boynton plays Mary Austin who was Freddie’s girlfriend for six years. “Mary meant the world to Freddie and surprisingly few people are aware of the impact she had on his life. They will be when they see the film. Freddie referred to Mary as the love of his life and he wrote the iconic song (Love of My Life) for her. “She was his confidante for so much of his life. She understood him in a way that no one else could or would.” “They were in a romantic relationship for six years and were tethered together till the end of his life. He referred to her as his common
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law wife, and the person he trusted the most. Without Mary I don’t think we would have had the Freddie Mercury we know today.”’ “The most extraordinary thing about his sexuality and that aspect of his life is that he never publicly spoke about it” says Malek. “He transcends all these stringent labels and boxes that we try to impose on people. He never confined himself in that way. He just was. That’s why he is so accessible to everyone.” Malek was born in Los Angeles, California. He won an Emmy, and has twice been nominated for a Golden Globe, for his role as Elliot Alderson in the critically acclaimed psychological TV drama Mr. Robot. His films include Night at the Museum, Larry Crowne, Battleship, The Master, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Short Term 12, Old Boy, Need for Speed, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and Papillon. Q: What was your initial reaction when they asked you to play Freddie Mercury? A: At first it was shock. As an actor, I don’t think there’s ever this law of depreciating excitement when things like this happen in your career – especially when you are being asked to play Freddie Mercury – so it’s a moment that halts you in your tracks and it is at once euphoric and thrilling and then there’s a hit of the magnitude and of the weight you have to take on with this legendary man who lives in the hearts of so many people and is revered as being one of the most talented artists of anyone’s generation. So you can imagine the immense weight of that. Now there’s also some ambitious part of me that gets wildly excited and starts thinking about how
to begin to inhabit this unique and magnificent creature. Q: So you knew Freddie and Queen’s music? A: Yes. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t know at least one Queen song. Q: What do Queen’s songs mean to you? A: They’re timeless. Queen’s music is a global phenomenon that transcends generational and cultural boundaries. Q: No one else does stadium anthems like Queen. A: They practically invented stadium anthems. And especially those two songs – "We Are The Champions" and "We Will Rock You" – are really audience participation songs and there’s no band that has accomplished that in the same way. And what’s so unique about them. They perform a song like "We Will Rock You" or "We Are The Champions" and everyone out there, in those massive arenas and stadiums, is collectively singing and moving in unison. Those songs unite people. Q: How did research prepare you for the role? A: I began to look through the songs that Freddie wrote and look for the themes that underlined every track, so that through the songs I could understand the man. My thinking was that if you are going to write something so passionately you are going to draw on some deep emotions. Q: And did you find a theme in his songs? A: Without a doubt it’s love; the search and desperate need to find love and how that has escaped him.
Here’s a man who throughout his life was constantly searching for love. Another theme is identity. I tried to build from the ground up, so I looked at his childhood. Here’s a boy who was born in Zanzibar and shipped off to St. Peter’s boarding school in Bombay at a very young age. He returns home to Zanzibar and there’s a revolution going on and his family is forced to seek refuge (almost) in England. So there he is with the name Farrokh Bulsara. He refers to his childhood as an ‘upheaval of an upbringing’ so I just started to somehow appropriate that to my own life in a way, being a first generation American. My parents moved to America from Egypt to seek a better life for me and when I told them that I was going to be an artist that was a very difficult stance for me to take so there were things that I could relate to, which somehow allowed it to be less of a daunting task of looking at Freddie Mercury the superstar. There was the man on stage versus this young man who was trying to use any of his God given talent and the tenacity he had to just make a home for himself in this new land. And then, given the opportunity, rise to be who he inevitably was. Q: There’s also a physical transformation on screen. We see you, as Freddie, change from the shy young man who joins an unknown band into the incredible showman who captivated an audience of more than a billion people when Queen played Live Aid. Was this physicality also a way into finding him? A: It gives me chills just thinking about it because he is exactly that, he transforms. It’s always Freddie but there are different versions of him, which I think is beautiful. It’s not like he’s hiding anything, it’s not Jekyll and Hyde, they are all him. It’s who he wants to be in the given moment and the given situation, which I find so endearing. I saw one interview where he said ‘on stage I can be the macho man that everybody wants me to be.’ And I think you see that in the 80s, this performer who throws his fists in the air and holds the crowd with the raising of one arm. Whereas in his younger days he was very fluid and erratic when he was trying to find himself and there was more of a wispy-ness to him. So I started to identify that and worked on the progression of the character in that way. What was incredibly useful was when I started to find a team of people who were going to help me assemble him, essentially. Q: How did you do that? A: I remember when we started shooting Live Aid and I said ‘look, what I know about Freddie is that he was not deliberate about what he was going to do on the stage the night before he went on.’ He didn’t think about what his moves would be throughout the course of the next evening when he would be on stage – things happened in the moment depending on the feeling and it was always inspired. Our producers would talk about working with a choreographer and I said ‘it’s not choreographed.’ There’s nothing about him that’s choreographed. The word ‘choreographed’ [Continued...]
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just doesn’t even belong close to the name ‘Freddie Mercury.’ I wanted to find someone who could essentially understand the way he moved and why he moved the way he did. So I found a movement coach. Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything was a big inspiration for me and I studied how he played Stephen Hawking and I said to myself ‘that’s not choreographed,’ and I believe Eddie was working with a movement coach. I met a few people and then did some work with Polly Bennett, a movement coach. The way Polly worked was fantastic. She understood how to approach this and we began just talking about Freddie’s heritage and his youth and how his shyness would be articulated. Q: In what way? A: Well, in just the way he would sit on the couch and pick up a cup of tea or the way he would cover his teeth because they were a very unique size. And how that would evolve into things that he could manipulate as he got more comfortable with himself. And it explained for me why he had this kind of ethereal nature to him early on and how there was an evolution to his stage presence and his physical presence, as he grew older. Polly was invaluable in helping me identify that. Q: When did Brian May and Roger Taylor first hear you sing as Freddie? And what was their reaction? A: Oh, that was an earth shattering experience (laughs). It was quite funny because I went to Abbey Road to record everything, which was a completely unforgettable moment. It is the holy grail of recording studios and it’s full of photographs of the legends that have recorded there and it’s incredibly inspiring. On my last day, when we got to go back and do a little more recording, I got to play a little bit on the piano that The Beatles used. It was incredible. This film has run the gamut of emotions for me but the highs have been higher than any you could hope for. Sharing what I got to record, which is a tape of me emulating Freddie, with Brian and Roger was quite a moment. I thought they had seen it before they showed up at Abbey Road and half way through out conversation I realized they hadn’t. And so I had to watch myself, interpreting Freddie for the first time standing between two of the people who know him better than anyone. You can imagine how intimidating that was. What I knew immediately was ‘I can move like that. I can get that down.’ That was where I tried to pull all of my confidence from. I also knew that I could get that shyness that he had and that I could get that gregarious showman aspect to when I worked on it. It was the singing that was going to be the most challenging. Q: What did Brian and Roger say to you? A: Roger was characteristically cool and reserved and Brian, who I have noticed had been eying me up and down, came out with such a compliment
that I was quite moved. I had put all of myself into preparing for this and trying to do this person justice that getting that acceptance from them was inspiring and propelling. Q: You said that while making Bohemian Rhapsody you ran a whole gamut of emotions. Could you expand on that? A: It was an unconventional way of working to say the least. There are upsides and of course downsides about a way of working that can be erratic at times, but ultimately everyone collects themselves and comes together, putting their best foot forward. Q: Let’s talk about Freddie’s relationship with Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton). A: Mary meant the world to Freddie and surprisingly few people are aware of the impact she had on his life. They will be when they see the film. He referred to Mary as the love of his life and wrote the iconic song ("Love of My Life") for her. She was his confidante for so much of his life. She was someone who understood him in a way that no one else could or would and vice versa. They were in a romantic relationship for six years and were tethered together till the end of his life. He referred to her as his common law wife, and the person he trusted the most. Without Mary I don’t think we would have had the Freddie Mercury we know today.
Q: Freddie kept his private life from the public. Do you think that was simply because it was a different, less enlightened time? A: The most extraordinary thing about that aspect of his life is that he never spoke about it. He transcends all these stringent labels and boxes that we try to impose on people. He never confined himself in that way. He just was. And I think that’s what will make him an even greater icon, if that’s even possible. That’s why he is so accessible to everyone Q: What’s your favorite Queen song? A: You know it’s too difficult to pick a favorite, but I do really love Brian’s" "Hammer to Fall" (from Queen’s album The Works). That’s a great song. But for me it would be like picking a favorite child (laughs). They are all going to last for a long, long time.
Watch Bohemian Rhapsody in cinemas upon the global release on Friday 2nd November. Photo of Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury courtesy of 20th Century Fox, Rami Malek interview photos by John Russo. This interview is exclusive to bazaar publishing in Kuwait and is courtesy of 20th Century Fox Middle East, @20CenturyFoxMe on Instagram. [...Continued]
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AN APPRECIATION Burt Reynolds ran through my youth as a charmer and a spinner of wiles By Jeffrey Fleishman
Burt Reynolds films at the Boca Raton Police Department, discussing a scene with director William Fraker, onNov. 4, 1988.
You had to like him, coming at you with a wink and a smile, as if he had swallowed all the world's secrets. He was cool, slick, a few steps ahead of the cops, a wiseguy with a Texas hat and a mustache, who back in the day was a box office sure bet, a star who could draw in men and women in equal measure, but for different reasons. Burt Reynolds was a charmer, a spinner of wiles and self-deprecating grace. He was the kind of guy you'd sit with in a roadhouse and watch unfold a map to all the places you'd never been. He knew his roots and revered his Florida upbringing; his drawl was as smooth as a snake sliding through the Everglades. His films such as Smokey and the Bandit were celebrations of the southern everyman, the one often underestimated, who pulls a prank and escapes to glory. "Lots of movies ridiculed Southerners, and I resented them," Reynolds wrote in his 2015 memoir, But Enough About Me." "I wanted to play a Southern hero, a guy who was proud of being from the South. Most of those folks are middle-ofthe-road, not left or right. They believe in God, they work hard, and they love their country. They're the people I grew up with, and I like them." He's gone, dead at 82. But he is forever part of my youth, a flickering piece of adolescence.
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His Lewis Medlock in Deliverance was a fierce survivor cut from the earth as if a character out of Hemingway. He was tough and hard-jawed. He braved the whitewater of a Georgia river and, as a boy played banjo and troubles gathered, led us into the strange, dark soul of America. You knew he'd endure. It was written on him. Like Ulysses. That was his gift, to understand the laws of nature and defy them, even if sometimes that's impossible, in film and in life. It was all about staying clever, keeping your wits and finding humor in unexpected things. At times, though, I wondered if Reynolds pushed himself enough. He was ever self-effacing, but was he more seduced by the fun than by the hard work of his craft. Many of his movies, the Smokey films, The Longest Yard, Gator and Starting Over, became a scrapbook for the 1970s, when Reynolds was in his effusive, rakish prime. They played as antidote in a nation that was emerging battered from the Vietnam War and tumbling through a post-Watergate era, when trust was shattered by images of body bags coming home and a president fleeing from the White House in shame. Reynolds was ingrained in the times, popculture personified, an actor who posed nude in a Cosmopolitan magazine photo spread that was at once a lark and a statement. He regretted it; Hollywood took him less seriously. Some things cannot be out run. He racked up his share of bad movies, some excruciatingly so, and told the New
York Times in 1978: "I think I'm the only movie star who's a movie star in spite of his pictures, not because of them; I've had some real turkeys." He dropped out of sight for a while. But he made a stunning return in Boogie Nights (1997) when his turn as a film producer with a Cadillac and a silver-black toupee earned him an Academy Award nomination. In a diner scene, the texture of his voice changes from old to mischievous to forsaken as if a man whose sins are laid next to his disappointments. He was the Burt I knew from way back, only changed, carrying the things age turns into wisdom that bites and soothes. It was a voice of nuance and whispers. I was beginning to understand what he meant. The years were flying by me too, and, although he was much older, I liked that he was out there, causing a little ruckus, making eyes at the ladies, like he did when we were both young and I'd watch him from a row in the middle of a theater. The last time I saw him was on TV in Adam Rifkin's moving film The Last Movie Star. It's a homage to Reynolds, who plays Vic Edwards, a forgotten film star invited to receive a lifetime achievement award in an obscure festival held by a shrinking fan base in the rear of a Nashville pub. He arrives thinking it's something grander. It's not. It's an indignity and a lesson, a moment when a man must look at who he is, strip himself to his demons and flaws and carry on better in the time that's left.
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STAYING ALIVE
The pressing need to know how to restart a heart By Colin J Brown
It’s been an interesting summer, I thought as I applied direct pressure to a friend’s head wound. The gash across his forehead was bleeding profusely, but there was no deformation to his skull. We’d called 112 for an ambulance, and now we were waiting. Believe me, the Ministry of Health ambulances and crews are very good. They’re fully trained, fully equipped and fully manned with a driver and two paramedics. So we waited with confidence, reassuring my friend even though he didn’t seem to be responding, and keeping everything calm. We waited about 15 minutes, about the same as in the US or the UK. The ambulance crew were superb. They assessed the patient and began to treat him. One of the paramedics turned to me, pointed at the improvised dressing that they’d removed from my friend’s head and asked “You did this?” “Yes, and here’s my First Aid card if you want it,” and I waited to see if what I had been told was true or not… You may not know that there’s no “Good Samaritan” Law in Kuwait. For those who are unsure what “Good Samaritan” law is, it is legislation that protects the first aider from being sued. It particularly protects people who give Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR in the event of a cardiac arrest, 78
or the heart stopping. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a person is considered a “Good Samaritan” if the person is trying to help, if the rescuer’s actions are reasonable, and the rescuer does not receive specific compensation for performing CPR or other act of first aid. Surprisingly, no-one has ever been successfully sued for providing CPR in the USA, because even in such a litigious society, the first aider is protected by law. Even more surprisingly for a country without “Good Samaritan” laws, nobody who is trained, certified and in-date has ever been prosecuted for providing first aid assistance in the State of Kuwait. Ever. The paramedic looked at my card, said, “Thank you.” and carried on with his job. Why is it important to be trained and certified in first aid if the emergency services in Kuwait are so good? Here are some thoughts. The ambulance took about 15 minutes to arrive in this case. In discussion with students on first aid courses I’ve conducted, the quickest you can expect an ambulance to arrive is around 10 minutes. 1. A patient with severe arterial bleeding can bleed out in 10 minutes. 2. A person who suffers a cardiac arrest will become less responsive to defibrillation by 10% per minute, according to the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), unless CPR is provided to delay tissue death. 3. Without CPR, the patient will almost certainly
not be able to be resuscitated after 10 minutes. What if the patient is a family member or a work colleague, or you’re on holiday? Are you safe to administer aid? Rest assured that your first aid qualification works in the home, at work and in public. Apply your training confidently at all times, as long as you yourself are in a fit state to do so. Sunday 16th October 2018 is ILCOR’s World Restart A Heart Day, supported by Resuscitation Councils from all over the world. The strapline is “All citizens of the world can save a life!” You can learn how to save a life and how to give first aid. Look for a training provider who is compliant with ILCOR requirements, who provides a course that includes Role of the First Aider, CPR, AED, Recovery Position, Choking, Seizures, Shock and treatment of Minor Injuries, and make sure that trainer will certify you on completion of your course. You can make a difference. You can save a life. For more information on World Restart a Heart visit www.ilcor.org/wrah. Colin Brown is a security management consultant who has worked throughout the Middle East for the past 15 years specializing in political analysis, crisis management and first aid training. For further enquiries or to book a training session email firstaidmiddleeast@gmail.com or call 6063 5899. Image courtesy of First Aid Internatlonal Ltd copyright 2014
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10 CEO STUNTS THAT CHANGED BUSINESS Talk about game changers!
By David Lidsky
H.J. Heinz- 1897 During an early wave of public concern about food safety, the ketchup king became the first CEO to open his factory for tours. The impact: Facility visits quickly drew 20,000 visitors annually, and Heinz kept using transparency to build consumer trust, promoting federal regulation to transform the entire food industry. Coco Chanel- 1910 As a young milliner, Chanel first won business by parading around Paris in a daringly small hat, prompting women to want what she had. The impact: Chanel replicated the stunt a decade later by spritzing her new perfume in public. Her lifestylebranding savvy has been emulated by Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and social influencers. William Wrigley Jr.- 1915 Wrigley decided to try to boost sales of his chewing gum brands by sending free samples to the 1.5 million U.S. homes with a telephone. The impact: The gambit worked, and Wrigley invented direct marketing in the process. Today, direct mail is a $42 billion business; search marketing, its digital equivalent, is almost as large. Walt Disney-1954 When the cartoon mogul designed a new amusement park called Disneyland, he got ABC to fund its 80
construction in exchange for a Disney TV series. The impact: The weekly anthology show, Walt Disney's Disneyland, was an amazing promotion for the theme park, and it would air for 30 years. Disney created modern entertainment synergy. Katharine Graham- 1971 The Washington Post's publisher risked the ire of the U.S. government by joining The New York Times in printing the Pentagon Papers—which she didn't have to do—before her company's IPO. The impact: Graham shared in a landmark victory for press freedom, inspiring a media generation to challenge power, while also elevating the Post. Debbi Fields- 1977 Mrs. Fields, a 20-year-old baker, set a goal of selling $50 (KD 15) worth of cookies her first day in business. She made $75 (KD 15)—largely by offering samples, but also because she set an ambitious goal for herself. The impact: Fields was soon analyzing hourly sales and building predictive forecasting systems that would influence how chain restaurants run. Steve Jobs- 1984 At the live unveiling of the Mac, Jobs removed it from a sack, stepped aside, and the computer introduced itself, saying, "Hello, I'm Macintosh. It sure is great to get out of that bag." He earned a standing ovation and even tears from the crowd.
The impact: No one had ever seen a tech demo like it. The formula is still used today. Ted Turner- 1997 The CNN founder stunned the world by pledging $1 billion to the United Nations. The impact: Turner made good on his offer by 2014, funding programs such as solar-powered irrigation in Zambia and antimalarial nets in Kenya. The gift also changed philanthropy, presaging Bill Gates's Giving Pledge for billionaires. Mary Barra- 2014 In the wake of a safety crisis weeks into Barra's tenure as General Motor's CEO, she proactively sought to compensate those who'd been hurt, hiring the same attorney who administered claims to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina victims. The impact: Barra has restored GM's reputation as forward-thinking and trustworthy. Jeff Bezos- 2017-2018 Bezos turned Amazon's search for a second corporate headquarters into a nationwide contest. The impact: No winner has yet been chosen, but Amazon scored invaluable data about each of the 238 cities that applied, likely forever altering how companies choose where to locate and what concessions they ask of cities.
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11 WAYS TO GET YOUR GARDEN PARTY-READY
JYSK is your one-stop shop for updating your outdoor space By bazaar staff
With temperatures starting to fall, most of us are already dreaming of garden parties and spending evenings outside. But after the summer months, your garden probably needs some TLC. The Danish brand JYSK has everything you need to re-invent your outdoor space to become an inviting area that can be enjoyed by everyone. To make things even easier, check out these handy tips that could easily be implemented into your own space, courtesy of the awesome people at JYSK. 82
Get the right furniture Outdoor furniture needs to be durable, comfortable and absolutely weather proof. While we might not get rain or snow that damages furniture like with other countries with cooler climes, we do get a lot of sunshine, dust and humidity. In this case, outdoor fabrics need to be machine washable and bigger items such as chairs and swings should be water-proof and should be able to withstand a good hosing down. Make sure it’s comfortable! One of the biggest downfalls of designing a garden sitting area is that they tend to be uncomfortable. If you want to spend hours gazing at the stars or hosting an outdoor diwaniya, the seating needs to be comfortable. We can sit on the outdoor recliner, cushioned chaise lounges and sofas at JYSK for hours. But our all-time favorite is the hammock. It doesn’t matter if you are seven or seventy, everyone loves a hammock. Adding extra cushions for a cozier setting doesn’t hurt anyone either. Protect yourself from the elements Consider JYSK’s curtained gazebo, for protection from insects, dust and wind. It is also wonderful idea for an added layer of privacy. The curtains have netting too, and that will stop any flying critters from ruining your night. Don’t forget about the tables Everybody hates having to hold their plate for too long. You need tables. They’re also great for playing board and card games and add visual interest. From simple tables to fancier ones, you can find one that suits your decorating aesthetic. Grab a beanbag (or two) Beanbags are flexible, fun, informal and an easy way to add more seating space without commitment. Guests can easily move them around and the ones at JYSK come in different colors, to add interest. Outdoor movie night, anyone? Colors are cool Speaking of colors, accents can add spots of color to make your space pop. Throws, placemats and rugs can also add texture. Boucle and fuzzy, faux-fur throws add an extra dimension and warmth. Light it up Most of us usually rely on a single main source of light. But softer lighting in multiple locations creates a cozier ambience that changes the mood. Decorative string lights can create an intimate setting that transforms the area from mundane to magical. Solar powered lamps are great too because you don’t need to worry about wiring. And don’t forget about the humble candle, there are so many choices at JYSK that are incredibly affordable too. Put it away We normally don’t think about storage space for outdoor areas but you still need a safe place to store the things you want to keep outside. A large trunk will keep all of your outdoor games and toys safe from the elements and close enough when you need to use them. [Continued...]
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Landscaping made easy A professional landscaper can definitely do wonders to your little plot of greenery, but you can also do-it-yourself. Oversized pots can house shrubs or mini-trees while giving you some flexibility in changing the arrangement. It is also a good excuse to exercise your green thumb. JYSK has everything you need from pots to water cans! Make life easier Speaking of large plants, don’t break your back trying to move them. Get some wheels. JYSK’s wheeled platforms are a genius way to move heavy objects without injuring yourself. Another incredibly smart addition to your garden needs is garden shoes. You or your guests might not want to ruin their fancy heels by walking in the grass. Garden shoes at JYSK solve that problem, they also keep your lawn safe from pointy stilettos. Plan Ahead If this all seems overwhelming, that’s ok. Sit down, and make a list. Take your time, jot down all the different activities you intend to use your garden our outdoor space for. Now make a list of everything you need and head on over to JYSK where you will find everything in just one stop.
JYSK will be opening a new location in Shuwaikh behind Tilal Complex in the beginning of December! JYSK is part of the Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa family. The JYSK flagship store is located in the Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa showroom at Dajeej, Airport Road 55. For more information, please call 222 61 884 or email JYSK@aaw.com. JYSK is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. Delivery and assembly services are also available for a minimal additional price. For the latest updates, follow @JYSK_Kuwait on Instagram, Twitter and JYSK Kuwait on Facebook and YouTube. For more information please visit www.jysk.com and for more about AAW visit www.aaw.com.
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royal hayat
WIND AND SOLAR FARMS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN WEATHER Including rain over the Sahara By Karen Kaplan
You already know that using solar and wind power can influence the climate by reducing our dependence on heat-trapping fossil fuels. Now scientists say these renewable forms of energy can change the climate more directly, and do it in ways that might surprise you. If wind turbines and solar panels were deployed across the Sahara, more rain would fall and more plants would grow in the massive African desert, according to research published in a recent edition of the journal Science. "Renewable energy can have multiple benefits for climate and sustainable development," wrote a team led by researchers from the University of Maryland's Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science. To figure this out, the researchers imagined three scenarios for the Sahara and the Sahel, a semi-arid region immediately to the south. In one, the area is studded with wind turbines that stand more than 300 feet high. In another, solar panels cover 20 percent of the land. The third case combines wind and solar farms, a setup that would produce about 82 terawatts of electricity per year. For the sake of comparison, the entire world used roughly 18 terawatts of electrical power in 2017, according to study co-leader Yan Li. Once their hypothetical energy farms were built, the researchers fed the details into a sophisticated computer program that simulates Earth's dynamic climate. Then the program made predictions about how the farms would change the environment. In the case of wind farms, the giant turbines would cause warmer air from above to mix with cooler air below, bringing more heat close to the surface. Air temperatures near the ground would increase by nearly 4 degrees Farenheight. In addition, the turbines would interrupt the smoothness of the desert surface. Winds blowing through the area would move more slowly. That, combined with the added heat, would change the atmospheric conditions over the Sahara and bring more moisture to the area. Average rainfall would increase by up to 0.25 of a millimeter per day, about double what it would have been otherwise, according to the study. The additional water would fuel plant growth, and those extra plants would reduce the amount of sunlight that's reflected off the desert surface (Editor's note: a.k.a- the albedo effect). From there, it's a positive feedback loop, the researchers explained: The reduced reflectivity (or surface albedo) enhances precipitation, which fuels plant growth, which reduces the albedo, and so on. The story is a little different for solar farms. Instead of slowing the wind or causing hot and 86
cool air to mix, the main effect of solar panels is to reduce albedo. That would increase average daily precipitation by about 0.13 of a millimeter in the Sahara and 0.59 of a millimeter in the Sahel. The additional water would induce more plant growth, further reducing albedo and allowing the cycle to continue. These changes were predicted to increase the maximum temperature by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit, the researchers reported. If wind and solar farms were combined, these effects would be "enhanced," they said. Average daily precipitation would increase to 0.59 of a millimeter. That's nearly 1.5 times higher than the Sahara would be in its natural state. But the rain wouldn't be spread evenly everywhere. The computer simulations predicted that parts of the Sahel could get as much as nearly 20 inches of additional precipitation per year. All that extra
water could have "major ecological, environmental, and societal impacts," Li and his colleagues wrote. Average temperature would also rise, by nearly 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Changes like these wouldn't necessarily happen everywhere solar farms are built, the researchers cautioned. In the Sahara, the key is that today's typical solar panels would increase the surface albedo. But if the landscape were different, that might not be true. Ditto if the solar panels were more efficient, that could cause temperatures to fall instead of rise. Without added heat, rainfall wouldn't increase. It might even decrease, the researchers noted. These are all factors to consider when building a wind or solar farm, they wrote. If placed just so, these power plants could generate more rain and plants in addition to more clean energy. Photo by Yeo Khee on Unsplash.
Bio oil
AS INTERNET ‘SPOOFING’ GETS BETTER…
You may surf into a sea of sharks By Tim Johnson
It’s easier than ever to get waylaid on the internet, diverted to dangerous territory where scam artists await with traps baited for the unsuspecting user. It’s all about devious misdirection, fumble-fingered typing and how our brains can confuse what our eyes see. Big money can await the clever scamster, and costs are rising for corporations and politicians who do not take heed. The problems lie in the inner workings of the internet, and touches on issues like the vast expansion of the combination of words, dots and symbols that comprise internet addresses. It’s no longer just .com, .net., .org and a handful of others. Now, there are 1,900 new extensions, known as top-level domains, things like .beer, .camera, .city, .dating, .party and .shop. “We see a ton of them being used maliciously,” said Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at Finnish security company F-Secure, who called the new endings “a big headache.” The problems revolve around what computer scientists refer to as “spoofing” of the Domain Name System, or DNS, which has been called the phone book of the internet. It’s been going on for a while, and touches on what users type into the address bar of a browser window or click on at a website. There are new ways to make phony addresses look real. “Creating a spoofed domain name, or even hijacking a domain name, has become a lot easier today,” said Israel Barak, chief information security officer at Cybereason, a cyber security firm based in Boston. Just a few years ago, spoofing an internet address, say, microsoft.com, was primitive. “You would have to maybe change that ‘i’ to a 1. I’m going to be M1crosoft with a 1 today, or even change the ‘o’ to a zero, or change the ‘t’ to a seven. For senior citizens with fuzzy vision like I’m starting to get, you might squint at that and say, ‘Looks like Microsoft to me,’” said Paul Vixie, chief executive of Farsight Security, a San Mateo, California., company. An internet pioneer, Vixie has been involved in its governance for three decades. He is an architect of some of the protocols used in the DNS system and advises the non-profit Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Los Angeles nonprofit that serves as the guardrails for the borderless global internet. But Vixie said the internet is still in its Wild West phase. He compared the online world today to the era of highways before seatbelts and airbags. “It just takes us some time to catch up. First, you innovate, you kill a lot of people or steal a lot of money, 88
whatever it is, and then somebody comes along and says we got to secure this somehow. We’re still in that first phase here,” Vixie said. To bridge the gap between English-speaking and non-English-speaking worlds, internet organizers have incorporated domain names utilizing characters covering 139 modern and historic scripts. It’s not just major scripts like the Cyrillic alphabet and Chinese characters. It’s also Runic, Buhid, Rejang and dozens of other obscure language scripts. Scamsters have had a field day with parts of those scripts. They’ve inserted look-alike characters into internet addresses, sending users to bogus malicious, websites. Vixie said numerous distinct characters look like the Roman letter “i.” “They are completely visually the same down to the last pixel on your screen to the real lower-case ‘i.’ So there is no way that you’re going to tell the difference,” he said. Inserting such exotic characters into a link is one technique criminals employ to send users to lookalike sites that may appear to be a bank website, a Gmail troubleshooting page or some other page that asks for a username and password. Other techniques are also used. In some cases, adversaries target employees of a corporation, nuclear plant, military unit or other high-value facility where they seek a digital foothold. The hackers send the targets tailored emails with the malicious links. “It’s easy (and) it’s cheap,” said
Tom Richards, co-founder and chief strategy officer for GroupSense, a Virginia cyber threat intelligence firm. As a hacker, Richards said, “All I need to do is register a website that looks like my target and then send that to a handful of employees or people affiliated with the organization or potentially even customers. And then I can trap them. I can send them malware. I can get them to fill out a form. “It’s embarrassingly effective.” Not so long ago, companies would buy common domain names that were almost like their normal websites, but off by a letter to ensure clumsy typists wouldn’t go astray. So, in the case of Walgreens. com, if you type in walgreen.com or walgrens.com it will still take you to the drugstore chain’s site. With the proliferation of new domain names, the task has grown more difficult. “It is getting harder and harder for companies. There are just so many combinations,” said Steve Manzuik, director of security research at Duo Security, an Ann Arbor, Mich., vendor of cloud-based security services. Some cybersecurity experts suggest that average internet users need to get savvier about phony websites, reading the components of what is in the address bar, like domain names and suffix paths. Others say that expects too much of average internet users. Most users see “dots and slashes and question marks. They don’t know what this means,” said Rich Smith, director of Duo Labs, the advanced security research team at Duo.
toni & guy
LAZY COLLEAGUE(S)? Here’s what to do! By Anisa Purbasari Horton
In almost every workplace, there is bound to be someone who isn’t pulling their weight. When you’re an ambitious, hard-working employee who is committed to growing your career and the company, it’s frustrating to work with someone who seems interested in only doing the bare minimum. Here are the dos' and don’ts of dealing with a lazy colleague. DON’T: VENT YOUR FRUSTRATION TO YOUR COLLEAGUES You probably know that talking bad about your colleagues is a no-no. But it’s easier to succumb to this temptation than you think. As Lydia Dishman previously wrote in Fast Company, it’s natural to want to blow off steam. But as Jeffrey Lohr, a professor at the University of Arkansas, told Dishman, venting anger is similar to “emotional farting in a closed area.” And instead of making you feel better, you’ll probably end up being angrier. And you definitely don’t want to be known as the ill-tempered person in the office. DO: TRY TO SEE THEIR POINT OF VIEW, AND ACT ACCORDINGLY Admittedly, this is hard to do. But sometimes, you can get them to pull their own weight when you understand why they’re, well, not. As Alyse Kalish wrote for The Muse, people are motivated by different things. Kalish cited Gretchen Rubin’s 90
“four tendencies,” which categorizes people into upholder, obliger, rebel, and questioner. Someone with a “rebel” tendency, for example, does not respond well to authority and needs to feel like they have complete autonomy of their actions. This means that when you phrase a request to them, you don’t do it as a command. Kalish gave the example, “Jill isn’t sure we can get the presentation done by this afternoon. What do you think?” DON’T: COMPLAIN TO YOUR BOSS WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR COWORKER FIRST As tempting as it is to rant to your coworkers, it’s also tempting to go running to your boss–particularly if you know that they think of you as a high performer. It’s not going to make you feel better, for starters. It can also make you sound petty, and as Ask a Manager‘s Alison Green pointed out, your boss might already be aware of the problem and is trying to do something about it. Perhaps it’s not having an effect, but you moaning about it isn’t going to make a difference. DO: FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL ABOUT THE SITUATION So you’ve tried to adopt your ask based on your coworkers’s personality but that doesn’t seem to be working. It’s true that ultimately, your coworker’s actions aren’t in your control, but your actions are. One thing that you can do, Kalish suggested, is offer to help them. She gave the following example as a way to start the conversation: “Hey, I noticed you’ve been staring at your screen all day–I’m free for a bit, anything I can help out with?”
DON’T: CONSTANTLY OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THEIR LACK OF EFFORTS You might be tempted to pick up your coworker’s slack if you’re not the confrontational type. After all, you don’t want to get in trouble for their lack of efforts and shoddy work, right? But as Courtney C.W. Guerra, author of Is This Working?: The Businesslady’s Guide to Getting What You Want From Your Career pointed out, this approach is only acceptable in two situations. The mistake (or work) is so minor and doesn’t take long to fix, or the colleague in question is just having a really bad day, and you want to help them out. When it doesn’t fall into those two situations, you’ll just make yourself more angry and resentful, and that can impact your work. Don’t let someone else’s laziness ruin your reputation. DO: KEEP A DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR WORK AND INTERACTION When all else fails and you do need to bring it up with your manager, it always helps to have documentation. Whether it’s setting expectations with your coworker over email or writing down your conversations and evidence of their behavior, you need to make sure that it’s based on facts, not feelings. Yes, it can be hard to be objective when every part of you wants to call this person out. But as Maurice Schweitzer, coauthor of the book Friend & Foe: When to Cooperate, When to Compete, and When to Succeed at Both, says “If you lose your cool, you will be in danger of looking undignified.” Don’t put yourself at risk of that. Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.
toni & guy 2
MASTERING COFFEE WITH NESPRESSO
Julien Mario on Nespresso's new Al Kout Boutique and the unique Master Origin range
By bazaar staff
It is impossible to fail to notice the rise of cafes in Kuwait. Often the same vendor can be seen on opposite sides of the same street, or in different sections of the same mall. Plus we’ve got independents popping up all over the place. Supply is desperately trying to feed demand. Coffee has become so popular that now we are expecting that same consistent service in our homes and offices where we don’t all have the luxury of space to have a gargantuan tank grinding, percolating and pouring our cup of joe. Here’s where Swiss Nestlé Nespresso S.A. didn’t stay neutral and for over thirty years has been indelibly making its mark in the premium-portioned coffee market. bazaar chatted over a Lungo to Nespresso’s Regional Business Development Manager for Middle East and Africa Julien Mario on the continued expansion of Nespresso in Kuwait and the gloriously fitted new boutique now open in Al Kout Mall. A truly global citizen, the English speaking Frenchman at the helm of expanding the Swiss brand in Kuwait, Julien Mario, celebrated the launch of Indonesian, Indian, Colombian, Ethiopian and Nicaraguan coffees within Nespresso's permanent range of now 25 different profiles and aromas. The grand opening also revealed a new, yet limited edition, Essenza Mini machine. That’s some global experience right there, all wrapped up neatly in the brand spanking new Al Kout Nespresso Boutique, as colorful as the enjoyment of coffee is proving to be multi-cultural. Brought up with the Gallic experience of a large (almost bowl of) breakfast café-au-lait, a lunch espresso and then a de-caff night cap, Julien went on to live and work in Taiwan. He presently resides in Dubai. “Moving to Taiwan and the Middle East, the way people consume coffee is very different you know,” says Julien. “It’s very interesting to see the different ways the coffee is consumed.” But there was one thing that was the same everywhere he went. “It’s a kind of ritual of sharing, generosity and hospitality, no matter where you are, that was something that was very clear to me.” Certainly, when there is a whole gathering of people 92
to share coffee with, they can have all manner of offerings with Nespresso. This recreates that café feel but at the touch of a button, taking only seconds to reproduce a barista order that would ordinarily take minutes to prepare for each coffee. That’s a long time when there’s a lot of you to make coffee for. “Nepsresso has a very important role to play, which is to make it easy for everybody to practice their café coffee rituals at home,” Julien highlights. The increased global desire for people to know what’s going into their bodies is something that Julien mentions in our conversation. “There is a need for people to understand exactly what they are consuming, not just for coffee but for everything. Nespresso is very good at this because we deal directly with our farmers so we know exactly what we are doing.” In 2003 Nespresso established the AAA Sustainable Quality Program in partnerhip with the NGO Rainforest Alliance. Nespresso consider themselves to be the original pioneers of sourcing coffee from an ethical point of view to deliver sustainable agriculture and business practices through “ecolaboration”. The AAA
Sustainable Quality Program invests in local coffee farming communities to deliver personalized assistance to improve environmental conditions on farms and surrounding landscapes. This, in turn, increases both the quality and quantity of coffee harvests. Furthermore, the AAA Program implements fair and decent working conditions, and pays farmers premium prices for their coffee beans. There are now more than 75,000 farmers from 12 countries around the world in the AAA Program producing 90% of the Nespresso's range of coffees in a manner that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Nespresso aims to source 100% of their permanent range of coffee by 2020. There is of course the question of the impact on the environment of having such a popular pod-life brand. How does Julien align business development and environmental concerns? “The impact of the pod is a very big concern for us,” he admits. “What we want to do is for the program to be relevant locally, so we want the right local partner to help with this initiative that can benefit the local community as well. I can tell you that this is our top priority, to recycle 100% of our capsules in the market.”
Ford famously said of his cars, “you can have it in any color as long as it's black” yet at Nespresso, the absolute opposite is true when it comes to providing choice to the customer. Nespresso boasts 25 different coffee profiles, aromas and intensities, with an everincreasing capsules range. The Master Origin coffee range may seem like a step toward no frills coffee; five classic tastes from India, Indonesia, Colombia, Nicaragua and Ethiopia. Is Nespresso going back to basics? “I don’t think so,” Julien replies. “Everything we are doing is about coffee, and relentlessly pushing the limits. We have experts sourcing coffee with farmers, and these experts decide the best way to process the coffee. When you look at “Master Origin” it’s a result of very traditional harvesting and modern processing techniques. We have so many different ways of harvesting and techniques that give you different aromas and tastes that it’s always exciting to find novelties and I think the Kuwait customer likes this too.” There will always be something new with Nespresso it seems; if it is not coffee it will be a machine or accessories.
The latest machine to hit the market is the Nespresso Limited Edition Essenza Mini. A super compact and lightweight coffee maker that can “fit in the tightest of corners” they claim. It is certainly tiny to look at but elegant with its new matte-black finish. Even with its small frame, the Essenza Mini has two programmable coffee selections with automatic flowstop for Espresso and Lungo preparations. An easily removable water tank makes it simple to refill, and the eco-mode switches to low energy usage mode after three minutes of inactivity, or off completely after nine. The new Al Kout Boutique has a left-hand-side wall full of the most beautiful machines and the “Tasting Area” is positioned directly in front of you as you walk in. The Coffee Specialists can quickly whip up any number of unique Nespresso recipes for you, as well as present for your deliberation any of the twenty-five coffee profiles you request to taste test. To discover the new Master Origin range, a set of duo, trio and five sleeves packs are available at all Nespresso Boutiques in Kuwait and also online.
The floor to ceiling glass façade of the Boutique showcases the resplendent coffee wall which stretches the entire length of the right wall. The attention to detail here is incredible, as each type of coffee has row upon row of sleeves stacked neatly one on top of the other, and all facing the same direction. It is so perfectly precise that it feels like the physical representation of a metaphor for the consistently, high quality coffee that you can trust Nespresso to deliver every time. But don’t just take bazaar’s word for it. At least 700 leading fine dining restaurants around the world have chosen the Nespresso premium solution for their business. Indeed, hilinecoffee.com reports that, “30% of Michelin-starred restaurants choose Nespresso machines.” If it’s good enough for them…
Nespresso Boutiques are located in Al Kout Mall, The Avenues and 360 MALL. Visit www.buynespresso.com for more information on Nespresso products and services and follow them on Instagram @Nespresso. 93
THE BEST WAY TO USE ALL THOSE 5 MINUTES OF DOWNTIME EVERY DAY Stop checking your phone when you get that break! By Stephanie Vozza
Whether your meeting ended early or that project didn’t take as long as you thought, chances are you’ve got some found time on your hands at some point during the day. If you’re like most people, you default to checking email. If you had a system in place, however, you could use those unexpected minutes to get something done, says productivity consultant Leslie Shreve, founder and CEO of Productive Day. “Most people don’t know how to jump in and take advantage of time because nothing is prepared and sitting in front of them,” she says. “The key is to proactively plan for those five-, 10-, or 15-minute bits of time that often appear throughout the average workday.” And there are a lot of them. A study by the staffing firm OfficeTeam found that the average employee squanders 56 minutes every day, which adds up to nearly five hours a week that could be used on meaningful work. START WITH AN INVENTORY We’re not being proactive with our time because we’re managing tasks from paper to-do lists, emails, voicemails, conversations, notes, files, and ideas. “Those are sources; not systems,” says Shreve. What’s necessary is a master list, or inventory, of all of your tasks. Shreve likens it to creating a mission control. Bigger than a brain dump, she suggests going around your desk and recording all of your tasks. Look at files and papers on your desk: Things that are left out are often done so as reminders of what needs to be done, she says. As you note action steps, you build your task inventory. “It’s important to take time in your busy day to do this, but it can help you save a lot of time and energy in the future,” says Shreve. “To make progress on meaningful work you need to take small action steps. You cannot get progress without task management. Unless you’re prepared, things will be lost or forgotten.” Tasks should be small, Shreve says, only reflecting the first action step to get something started, or the next action step to keep something moving forward. “These small but powerful steps can move multi-step tasks, projects, and initiatives forward consistently and with ease,” she says. Use a digital system, such as Outlook, to record your full inventory of tasks—everything you need to do, no matter the source of the task or when action will take place. A paper to-do list needs to be completed, while a digital list is a system, says
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Shreve. With all your tasks in one system, you can plan and prioritize for certain days, weeks, and months into the future. When you have found time, check your inventory. For example, five minutes is enough time to make a phone call that you know will go to voicemail, schedule an appointment, or knock out a quick action step that will keep a priority or a project moving forward. “Having an inventory of all tasks in one system allows you to make smart decisions about how to use your time, because all tasks are documented and ready for action,” says Shreve. “You can easily become more proactive and less reactive throughout the day.” PLAN YOUR DAY An inventory of tasks helps you plan your day. When you get to work in the morning, check your task list and get to work. Looking at your inventory, priorities often bubble to the top, and Shreve suggests choosing five to six items to do that day. “You can always change it, and make it reflect what you really want or need to do that day,” says Shreve. “Your day and task list are never static.” Working without a system is like grocery shopping; it’s easy to miss items because there’s often no order to the layout of the store, says Shreve. “You only buy the items you can find or that are in front of you,” she says. “Similarly, you can
only do the tasks that you know about or see in your vision, and if you don’t have time to check 10 different places for the possibilities, something will be missed.” MINUTES DRIVE RESULTS While they seem inconsequential in the moment, those small amounts of time are essential for achieving results. “Inner work life matters for companies because, no matter how brilliant a company’s strategy might be, the strategy’s execution depends on great performance by people inside the organization,” write Harvard Business School professor Theresa Amabile and development psychologist Steven Kramer in their book The Progress Principle. “When progress happens in small steps, a person’s sense of steady forward movement toward an important goal can make all the difference between a great day and a terrible one.” Knowing what’s possible allows you to take action on the most important tasks at the right times throughout the day, says Shreve. “You can use your time more wisely and with purpose,” she says. “You stop guessing and start knowing what to do and when to do it. It’s a priceless benefit from having a complete system and a workday strategy that works.” Photo by STIL on Unsplash.
faces
ONLY IN KUWAIT: MAABOUCH BURGERS AND SHAKSHOUKA CHAPATI Global cuisine, Kuwaiti style By bazaar staff
Food is art in Kuwait. Kuwait is known as the hub of creative and trendy food across the GCC and the Middle East. But what makes food in Kuwait special is that Kuwaiti restaurants are adding their own unique twist to traditional cuisine, coming up with food items that you can only find in Kuwait. Burgers, the Kuwaiti way Hamburgers are known as America’s favorite food, but did you know that Germany is the original home of the hamburger? The word “hamburger” simply refers to the German city of Hamburg! The burger has come a long way since its beginnings and, today, burgers are customized to create thousands of varieties for every taste. But Kuwait has taken the humble burger to another level. The popularity of burger joints in Kuwait over the last few years has encouraged restaurants to add their own touches to burgers with traditional local condiments and other unusual additions. There’s no better way to see this in action than by browsing Talabat. Dukkan Burger serves a burger with traditional Kuwaiti chili known as Maabouch. Local favorite, 96
The Breakfast Club, just introduced Shakshooka Sliders, a fusion between Arabic fried eggs and tomatoes and American sliders. Burger & Karak offer a donut burger that’s a must-try for culinary adventurers. It might be tough to wrap your head around, but just imagine a tasty juicy burger paired with a sweet donut! Another restaurant, Hamburgah, has created a fried chicken burger that’s breaded with pretzels and dusted with -– wait for it – loomi! That’s right, the staple Kuwaiti spice made of dried lemon is used to flavor a fried chicken sandwich. Now that’s innovation! Chapati, the Kuwaiti Way Chapati is an Indian flatbread that’s usually eaten as a snack or side dish. It is common across South Asia, as well as in Africa and the Middle East, where large populations of South Asians live. In Kuwait, chapati has evolved beyond being an accompaniment. Chapati is often used as a wrap with cheese and vegetables. Taking it a step further, Nutella chapatis, which you can find at Burger & Karak, are a delightful blend of savory chapati and sweet hazelnut chocolate. Local restaurant Botamba serves a delicious chicken wrap that makes chapati the star of the show.
Kuwaiti bakery, Firinco cooks up chapati burgers. Another homegrown concept, Karak Gholam, rolls up a variety of Arabic ingredients into chapati, including labneh, falafel, and halloumi cheese. Food entrepreneurs’ creativity has even changed Kuwaiti dishes. Hala International tops fried Zubaidi and Balool fish with Kung Pao sauce, inspired by Chinese cuisine. Tanoor bread is topped with tomato sauce and vegetables at Cafe Bazza, making a sort of Kuwaiti pizza. We highly recommend you give these fusion Kuwaiti dishes a go. Ordering online makes trying new dishes totally easy, so head over to Talabat and order the one you’re now craving!
You can visit the Talabat website or on the app. For the latest updates you can also follow @talabatkwt on social media.
Crocs
THE ULTIMATE CRUISE
Norwegian’s new Bliss offers more, or less
By Mark Gauert
Is it possible to get away from a crowd of 4,004 passengers and 1,716 crew aboard a 994-foot cruise ship? A cruise ship that boasts the longest (at 1,000 feet) electric go-kart race track at sea? A veritable sea-going resort with an open-air laser tag course, themed as an abandoned space station. An Aqua Park with two pools and two multistory water slides (one of which includes a free-fall followed by a loop overboard that will leave you, assuming your heart didn’t faint back there at the free-fall part, grinning uncontrollably for a good 90 minutes thereafter). No fewer than 33 places to eat, drink and dessert (yes, it’s worth using as a verb here), including, perhaps most pleasantly unexpected for a highsea-going vessel, a high-plains Texas smokehouse, called Q, where you can pass the sauces and listen to country music each night. Not to mention a smoking (and non-smoking) casino, Broadwaycaliber shows (the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys,” anyone?), a spa with 24 treatment rooms, six infinity hot tubs, a fitness center … and the Beatles (cover band) warming up in a facsimile of The Cavern Club, “inspired by the Liverpool club where the Beatles performed frequently in the 1960’s.” Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. But is it possible to get away from all of that on a 168,000-ton, 136-foot wide, 20-deck cruise ship? Some place where it’s possible to just enjoy the cool sea breezes, the flaming sunsets, the stars at night? Yes. I’m not sure how, exactly; but here’s my theory: Norwegian Cruise Line’s new Bliss is so big, and offers so much to do, everybody is likely to be somewhere else when you want a quiet moment or two alone. So you can sit in a deck chair on the upper deck and watch Miami slip away until it’s an orange smudge on the horizon, like you’re the only person aboard. In the morning, at least for a while, you can listen to soft jazz and classical music with a lavish beverage and the dawn view all to yourself in the adults-only Spice H2O on Deck 17. You can even sit on your own personal balcony (there are 1,088 among the 2,043 guest staterooms onboard) and watch fish splash and islands pass in the Stream. If that’s not enough “you time” for you, you can splurge (in the bucket-list sense) on The Haven enclave, located on Decks 17, 18 and 19, where guests are even further “pampered with privacy, personalized service and a deluxe array of complimentary amenities,” along with a private restaurant; private elevator, observation deck, pool, cocktail bar and concierge desk, “where Haven guests can relax, have a drink and make dining, entertainment or spa reservations through 98
the dedicated concierge.” It’s like being on a yacht aboard a 4,004-passenger cruise ship. The cost? Well, if you have to ask… Then, when you’ve been quiet enough, you can join the crowd at the Aqua Park, or on the stairway up to the water slides, or line dancing by the pool,
or in the theater, or the fitness center, or the spa, or laser tag at the abandoned space station or a promenade on the indoor 180-degree observation deck, which wraps around Deck 15 like a pair of Wayfarers, or … whew. Either way — as private or as public as you want to be — you’ll find Bliss.
Kuwait’s Ultimate Entertainment Destination
tek zone NOW OPEN! THE FORUM - THE AVENUES, LOWER GROUND FLOOR Customer Service: 182-12-12 Non-stop fun | More than 100 attractions
@TEKZONEME
YOUR GULF BANK 642 MARATHON ESSENTIALS Registration is now open for the 2018 Gulf Bank 642 Marathon
By bazaar staff
It is that time of year again when we dust off our running shoes and hit the streets with Gulf Bank, exercising every single last one of our 642 muscles in our body to complete the various race distances from 5 KM to 42 KM. Plus, we all get to give back to charity at the same time and our efforts would be internationally recognized! Win, win, win! Here’s our ultimate essentials guide for Gulf Bank’s 642 Marathon. SET YOUR GOALS: Run day is Saturday, the 17th November. So start getting ready! Whether you choose to run or walk, setting an achievable goal that allows you to exercise all 642 muscles in your body is what it’s all about! Make sure you’re eating well, and exercising regularly. If you’re a novice to all of this, a small 15-20 minute walk each day will prime you 100
perfectly for the 5KM walk. If you’re already a also a novice runner, then you’re on the right path to achieve your goals here. No matter what your fitness level or how long or short a distance you have covered previously, there is simply nothing to stop you taking part in Gulf Bank 642 Marathon 2018. This year, you can run or walk a whole family-friendly distance of 5KM or complete the regular Souq run of 10 KM that will surely be challenging. Why not push yourself as an advanced runner to complete the half marathon at 21 KM or tackle the ultimate challenge which is Kuwait’s only full marathon at 42 KM in length. CELEBRATE YOUR COMMUNITY: The 2017 ‘Gulf Bank 642 Marathon’, was an unprecedented success with 6,000 attendees representing over 130 nationalities across Kuwait all coming together to support a charitable cause. While this fact alone is a marked celebration of a truly special sense of community in Kuwait, let’s aim to break the record for this year! Better yet, why not speak to your friends, register together, and start some community activities to practice for the day of the race? We believe in power in numbers, as should you.
SEE THE LOCAL SIGHTS: Starting and ending at Souq Sharq, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon route passes by Souq Al Mubarakiya, Gulf Bank’s beautiful head office, the Grand Mosque, Al Seif Palace, the National Assembly and Kuwait Towers. Exercising with a view of Kuwait’s beautiful landmarks? Sign us up! DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE TRAFFIC: For your and all of the participants’ safety, roads containing the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon route will be closed during the hours of 7 am - 12 noon. Our advice, whether you’re running/walking 5KM, 10 KM, 21 KM OR 42KM, try and complete your activity within the allotted 5 hours to be completely safe. RELAX HERE: The day of the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is a lot of fun, and the Race Village especially is always packed with activities and stalls to keep those who are not taking part in the actual race entertained. Those participants who finish quickly often want to stick around after just to enjoy and soak up the exciting atmosphere. Don’t forget to grab a banana and a medal for your effort!
GIVE IT YOUR ALL: As well as the challenge of training and competing contributing to the general health and well-being of people in Kuwait, the run also contributes to the community through its charitable fundraising efforts. Each year, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon partners with a leading charity to raise awareness for an important cause or issue. This year, the marathon's awareness efforts are geared towards shedding light on the Kuwait Red Crescent Society to bring medical aid to those who are unable to afford medical treatment. All donations made through the marathon, at the marathon expo and online will go towards the provision of medical devices such as, pacemakers, cochlear devices, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs and stents. We think that the giving back aspect is such a fantastic motivator to get people off their couches and outdoors. LOOK AT ME: The 10KM, 21KM, & 42KM race categories at Gulf Bank's 642 Marathon have been accredited by the Associations of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Remember, Gulf Bank’s 642 Marathon is Kuwait’s only accredited race, which means that your efforts at Gulf Bank's 642 Marathon will not go by unnoticed!
For more information about The Gulf Bank 642 Expo follow Gulf Bank on Instagram @Gulf_Bank. Register today and find more information by visiting the website www.gulfbank642marathon.com or by emailing for details cs@pro-vision.com. Bring your registration to collect your marathon kit from the Expo. For the latest updates, follow Gulf Bank’s 642 Marathon on Instagram and Facebook @Gulfbank642. 101
EDUCATION GETS FESTIVE AT THAT AL SALASIL Party with all the books! By bazaar staff
As a child my favorite place in the whole world was the bookstore. As an adult my favorite place is still the bookstore. And my dream party location would have been a bookstore or a library. Today, That Al Salasil are making my younger self’s dreams come true. That Al Salasil’s The Avenues branch has opened its doors to field trips and birthday parties. It is part of their commitment to encourage more children to read and foster a love of books. This branch in particular is the largest in Kuwait and is the perfect spot for entertaining children. Apart from the large selection of adult books, the store also houses an inviting children’s area that caters to every taste and reading level. The space is large enough to accommodate up to eighty children at a time, and there is a lot they can do, too. A field trip includes story-telling, games, character mascots and arts and crafts. Everything and anything that will keep a child busy and happy. They also get a snack box at the end and a memory stick with all the pictures taken that day. A birthday party is even bigger and better, as it includes a host, music, balloon decorations, a birthday banner and face painting. Parties last for two-hours which is perfect for kids’ attention spans and energy levels. And whether the little one is a Harry Potter fan, or wants to be Percy Jackson, That Al Salasil can throw them a themed party to mark the special occasion. The professionally trained facilitators and staff follow a detailed and organized program to keep the kids engaged and interested. If you have already been to That Al Salasil you should know how helpful and friendly the staff is. They are even more so with children, which we didn’t think was even possible. While there are dozens of different fun party options in Kuwait, this is one that helps your child learn while having fun. It also changes their perception of books and reading. It is no longer a sterile quiet place, as with a festive twist, the bookstore is a fun place associated with happiness. The parties are affordable and competitively priced. Which is a huge win in our books because you should expect an increase in your book buying budget. That Al Salasil are intentionally introducing the bookstore as an alternative place for kids to frequent while simultaneously having fun and learning. The company wants kids to equate books with fun and realize the huge value that can be found in reading. And we think that, with implementing this fun new strategy, they are successfully do so! That Al Salasil’s wonderfully renovated bookstore is located in The Avenues, Second Avenue on the second floor. For more information, follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @ThatAlSalasil and on Facebook.com/ThatAlSalasilBookstore. You can even get your favorite titles delivered through their dedicated Instagram account: @SalasilExpress. That Al Salasil currently has 20 locations across Kuwait. 102
fantasy world
geeks and gamers
DEAD SPACE: A REVIEW By Bazaar staff
Who says that all reviews should be of new games? Being a gamer and avid follower of all things game related, I’ve noticed that all I see are the very newest of games being reviewed, tested, and critiqued. Often these reviews seem rushed, in order to be first to the punch. Why doesn’t anybody go back a few years and review, or re-review, one of the classics? While there’s been a few AAA games like Spiderman and the new Tomb Raider recently, we’re taking a breather from keeping up with the Jones’ this month. October is the month of Halloween so a horror game is the obvious review of choice, and this particular game was released exactly 10 years ago. It’s always been considered one of the greats. Also, until recently I’ve never played it. While waiting for the epic Red Dead Redemption 2 to release, I’ve been saving myself from going into any current blockbuster titles so I thought I’d take advantage of that and take the chance to play this. Dead Space is set in the year 2508, and you play as Isaac Clarke. Earth’s natural resources have been depleted and teams are sent into space to plunder from other planets. While Isaac is in space, his team investigate an ‘abandoned ship’ (which naturally, according to horror lore, is not actually abandoned) and soon start to become taken out one by one by horrible monster alien things (called Necromorphs). It’s now your job to find a way to escape, for yourself and the few remaining survivors, a job which takes 104
you on various missions around the ship to complete specific tasks. Dead Space is a perfectly executed horror game. Many variables come together to make this happen; the setting in space, where you could literally not be more alone or further from help, the dark, claustrophobic tiny corridors of the space ship, the eerie soundtrack and plenty of unexpected jump scares. Not to mention the array of monsters roaming the vessel. These guys look horrific, like something from a John Carpenter horror movie. You’re encouraged to shoot them at the limbs in order to do more damage. When you do this, they just become freakier; dragging themselves towards you with their razor sharp hook hands until you finish them off for good. If you’re unlucky enough to get up close with one, you can say goodbye to any hope of sweet dreams at bed time. Your ultimate aim is to get off the infested ship, but of course it isn’t as simple as jumping onto a ‘life boat’ and flying away. There’s a number of tasks to carry out first, such as powering up generators, finding keys, locating equipment and more-the usual video game stuff. On your way to doing these missions, and fighting monsters, you’ll collect helpful items along the way like health, ammo, credits and blueprints for new items. You can spend the credits in stores to buy these items also, as well as new guns and higher levels of suit (so long as you found the blueprint for the item first). You can also sell unwanted items, and stash extra items in your safe, freeing up precious inventory space.
You can also collect nodes, that allow you to modify your armored space suit and weapons to have extra ammo slots, deal more damage, or reload faster. You won’t collect enough nodes to upgrade everything on your first play though, however, so you much chose your upgrades carefully if you want to make it to the end of the game. You’ll also find audio and text logs, as a little extra collectable, which give you an insight as to how things went so wrong in space, and where these Necromorphs came from. The weapons are nice and varied, including a standard machine gun type weapon, a flamethrower, a chainsaw device that shoots blades, and the aforementioned Plasma Cutter, the actual purpose of which is to break down chunks of rock-so you can image how effective it is at removing monsters legs. They all handle nicely and you’ll quickly find a couple that will become your favorites, and most upgraded. I managed to finish the game in around 10 hours, on my first play through, on medium difficulty. On one hand this is quite short for a single player game, but on the other hand this isn’t a game you want to drag on for a long time-your nerves can’t take it. There is also replay value in the new game plus mode (upon completing the game the first time, you are awarded credits, nodes and equipment so that you can start again on the harder mode but with that little head start). For fans of horror games, I highly recommend this. If you liked any of the Resident Evils, Silent Hills, Condemned, Alien Isolation or similar titles… you’ll have a blast with Dead Space.
kidzania
MOSCHINO [tv] H&M
H&M is bringing pop and street culture powerhouse Moschino to the high street By bazaar staff
MOSCHINO Creative Director Jeremy Scott and H&M Creative Advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson
Fashion collaborations are an accessible gateway to high-end fashion that is not normally within reach. So, when H&M and MOSCHINO [tv] announced that they were working together on a special collection, we were beyond psyched. With an aesthetic that can be best described as unrestrained enthusiasm and extravagance, Jeremy Scott, MOSCHINO’s Creative Director and Designer brings an explosion of colors, icons and pop-culture to the collection. He breaks all the rules, unexpectedly slashing silhouettes, cropping items where they usually wouldn’t have been and subverting classics. Scott’s love of Disney characters shows up on caps, dresses and hoodies. The accessories are loud and make their own statements, making you instantly party ready. 106
We know that this could easily be one of our favorite H&M designer collaborations to date. And, just because we're super curious, we managed to squeeze in an exclusive interview with none other than Jeremy Scott and Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Creative Advisor to tell us more about this incredible collaboration!
Interview with Jeremy Scott, MOSCHINO’s Creative Director and Designer You are famous for your rebellious designs, pop culture references and colorful pieces. Do you chase inspiration, or does it find you? Usually with me when I’m designing, I’ll have a flash and I’ll know exactly where it’s got to go. I’ve always been very decisive, and very strong-willed. I know when something’s right, whether it’s for my own label or for MOSCHINO. I have the idea, and I know in a millisecond what to do with it. What was the inspiration behind this collection? When I was designing MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, I was thinking street, street, street. I wanted an urban attitude, high mixed with low, mixing in some bling bling and pop culture, some real Italian glamour, and always everything with a sense of humor. I wanted it all to have punch. I wanted it to be 100% me, 100% MOSCHINO. Which item in this collection is your absolute favorite? Why? My absolute favorite? That’s like asking a mother for their absolute favorite child. It’s impossible. I’m so proud of the whole collection, and if I were to choose just one of them, straight away I’d start feeling bad I didn’t choose another one. If I’m thinking bazaar, then I’ll say the faux fur coat that’s punctured by gold chains, like it’s been attacked by a fashion beast. What is the biggest difference in your design process when you are designing for your own label vs when you collaborate? I’ve had so much fun creating MOSCHINO [tv] H&M. For me, it’s more than just a collaboration, it’s like an extra capsule collection for the season. It’s been such a pleasure to bring all these different elements together in this collection, and to think about how to make every single piece totally unique and special. What is the most exciting thing about working with H&M? The most exciting thing is that soon I’ll get to see MOSCHINO [tv] H&M worn by the fans all over the world. Everything I do is for the fans, and it makes me so happy that this collection is so affordable and democratic. It means so much that people all around the world will be able to buy pieces from the collection, many who may have never been able to wear MOSCHINO or my designs before.
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Interview with Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M You have already handled a lot of successful collaborations with designers. What is your favorite part of the process of collaborating? There are so many favorite moments for me. I love to spend time with the designers that we collaborate with, and their teams, and to get to know about their practices and inspirations. For someone who loves fashion like me, it really is an honor to be able to spend time with them. But always my favorite part is when the collections hit the stores, and our customers finally get to wear the collection for themselves. H&M has been very progressive and forward thinking in their collaborations with amazing designers, why do you think H&M’s collaborations work so well? From the beginning, we’ve always wanted the true essence of the designer in our collaborations. We don’t want any compromises or anything watered down. It’s about capturing their DNA, and offering it at an affordable price to our customers. We work very hard to create these pieces, and to make our collaborations the best they can be. We can’t wait for the release of the collection. Which piece do you think is a total must have? There are so many in MOSCHINO [tv] H&M. Jeremy has created a very clever collection for us, that is full of so many different moods and themes that all work together. I love pieces like the leopard and chain print bomber that have got such an amazing energy to them. It’s so fun, and would look so great worn with my favorite jeans and a sweater. What did you enjoy the most about working with Jeremy Scott and Moschino in general? Jeremy is such a pleasure to spend time with. He’s a true gentleman, and is so fun to be around. He’s also a real professional who works very hard and is totally focused. It’s such an amazing combination of characteristics that I think explains his success so well. He works hard and has fun at the same time, which is such a great mix. H&M is a huge global retailer that has to design with local markets in mind. How does that affect collaboration designs? We love that our collaborations are such a worldwide event. It’s like a global fashion party where everyone’s invited. It’s amazing to see how fashion has become such a truly global language, and Jeremy is a designer who really understands how to communicate with his fans all around the world. We love to offer our designers the chance to work on such a global stage, and Jeremy has done such an amazing job with MOSCHINO [tv] H&M. MOSCHINO [tv] H&M, will be available in selected H&M stores worldwide from the 8th of November. For the latest details check out the hashtag #HMOSCHINO, twitter and Instagram @HM @moschino, Facebook @H&M and @MOSCHINO – the official page. 108
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soapbox
bazaar goes dining
ALICE & CO.
Where your every food fancy is satisfied
By bazaar staff
Within the heart of Artspace blooms a clean eating-friendly concept that refuses to be anchored by one singular description. Rather like the café’s décor and flatware, which is a joyous celebration of a hodgepodge of eclectically mismatched influences, the menu is experimental and always evolving. It seems the mainstay of Alice & Co’s existence is the sheer enjoyment of the staff that comes from curating a menu with a variety of textures, flavors and unexpected pairings; as delightful as it is too, for the customers. It’s like stepping into a small haven, walled off by hanging plants woven into a newly handmade but yet still dilapidated wall frame of recovered wood. A secret garden willing itself to be discovered by those adventurous to step through into the unknown, whispering to diners its culinary tales. As we have been invited by Alice & Co to a menu tasting, the café team, with the assistance of Nivin (Viv) and Michael, have beautifully set up a table for us. This is easily done for other customers too, if you wanted to make a reservation ahead of time to ensure your place. There is limited room at once, perhaps 16 at the most and take note seating is not all traditional “dining table and chairs” so be prepared for the odd pouf cushion, bench or stool, which certainly is part of Alice & Co’s charm. Already waiting for us on the table is a welcome drink chilling in a hand-painted clay carafe. To grapefruit juice we can add sparkling water and infuse the lot with our choice of freshly cut rosemary, lime, mint or slices of juicy ruby red grapefruit. I threw it all in and was met with a taste so lightly refreshing it was tough to leave the cup long enough for all the tastes to combine. There are “oohs” and “ahhs”, as a sharing plate called “breaking bread” is set down on the table. It’s a long wooden sleeve of a platter so everyone at the table can reach something. Each element is so delicious that we didn’t really move from the one closet to us. What stood out were the dips of creamy avocado and feta, a smoothly rich tahini and dibs (imported from the village in Lebanon), and a sharp, citrus-yet-sweet, crunchy zaatar with fresh pomegranate seeds and olive oil concoction that danced heavenly on the taste buds. The accompanying vegan scones had a hefty nutty profile which seems at odds with the crumbly nature of the blissfully baked beauties, the best I’ve ever had. The paratha-inspired unleavened breads had a feel to it that gently sighed comfort with as ululating a vowel sound as you can have. We each looked at one another with an excited glint; if this was the high bar set from the beginning, what more could we expect. It took all the 110
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strength we could muster to not polish off the lot, so we distracted ourselves with the expressively creative surroundings and also in conversation catching up on really getting to one another, a rare gift of time bazaarites seldom have. The most colorful “Kay’s Salad” is next presented alongside its dressing with a base profile of peanut
that complements well the crunchy red cabbage, carrots and crisp romaine. Explaining to us just how organically comes the creation of the Alice & Co dishes, Yusra Ahmad, Kitchen Manager and biotechnologist, tells us the story of when she came up with a glorious combination of sesame paste to make tahini and date jam, but had no idea what to put it with. The team played
that alsalasil
about and ended up devising the recipe for “Mystic Shrooms” an earthy salad featuring thin slices of chestnut mushrooms matched with walnuts and avocado but starring a ginormous parmesan crisp, so large that nobody felt hard done by as we all got a sizeable piece of the smoky, baked cheese. The entire experience was so delightful so far that we all were smiling and chattering excitedly. Our online producer jigged about in her seat, keen to dance and naturally high from the music, the vibes, and the shared plates of food. The “Deconstructed Jamie” appeared next, an open-faced omelet sitting on a bed of homemade naan which actually is another unleavened bread hybrid, an unleavednedhybread if you will, that forms the ideal base for such a layered meal, with tomato, mushroom, garlic, green onions, asparagus, in-house hollandaise and cilantro. Perfect at any time of day but packed with enough goodies to keep you going for hours so it comes highly recommended by bazaar for brunch. To tide us over, a steaming cup of skin-on fries sprinkled with salt and herbs of cumin and coriander lands on the table, closely followed by cheesy “All 4’s Pizza” resplendant with fresh mint and fresh thyme leaves, and “The Green Pizza” which is vegan, if you don’t cover it with thick shavings of parmesan like we did. This is topped with homemade green olive pesto, Rocca, avocado and asparagus and drizzled with a glaze reduced in house from balsamic vinegar to get exactly the right consistency and flavor. The thing that really is a taste sensation on both pizzas is the tomato base. A home blend of several different tomato varieties including tomatoes that have been dried by Alice and Co, the orange-russet color belying the sauce’s freshly flavorful depth. The “Butternut Squash Bake” is a satisfying winter dish, where the vegan béchamel topped off with beautifully roasted, nutty caramelized garlic is welcomingly creamy, tasty and wholesome. Ours was also topped off with a layer of bubbling cheese, but without it, the dish would be a very clean vegan offering. We still had two desserts to come however and were slowing down considerably, and thoughts of hunger satiated beyond doubt. Still, another forkful of something delicious would make its way to my mouth, “stop eating!” I told myself; it took real effort. Luckily, because it could slip into any minuscule space left at all in the stomach, one of the desserts was an ice-cream like affair, frozen bananas buzzed in a blender and topped with a sugary-sweet sand of oats, pecans and shredded toasted coconut. We all loved it but nonetheless gazed at the “Choco Molten Cake” as it was set down before us. As stuffed as I was, I had to taste this three times and still couldn’t grasp the flavor profile that was just at the tip of my tongue, pun intended. Turns out, this vegan dessert has an avocado foundation! Another example of Alice & Co’s ingenuity.
Alice & Co is located within Artspace Studio, Salmiya, Block 9, Sayeed Yaseen Al Tabtabie Street. Opening hours are every day at 12 noon, except Friday which opens at 3 pm. Last orders are 9.15 pm. To keep up with what’s on the menu follow Instagram @AliceandCo. Photography by Tareq Alaskar @urbanq8. 112
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jumeira 2 arabesque
WHOLE AND FIT WITH RITA PATATIAN Helping you live out your best life, one step at a time By bazaar staff
The word “coach” conjures up scary memories of mean and pushy Middle School coaches for most of us. But, that is not how it is supposed to be. Meet Rita Patatian, certified health coach. “Health coaching is looking at health and nutrition through a completely different lens, in a more holistic and balanced manner. It is completely driven by the client, not the coach” she explained, when I asked her what a health coach was. “But you have to acknowledge that it takes time and you will have your ups and downs”, a statement that mirrors her own journey. What makes her story unique is that Rita didn’t start with wanting to lose weight. Or even simply wanting to be healthier. She wanted to understand how her outwardly healthy mother, who had no vices, aside from being slightly overweight, was suddenly diagnosed with breast and lung cancer. Her mom’s surgeon at the time suggested she read How Not To Die by Michael Greger. Needless to say, the book’s title put her off for some time. When she finally did pick up the book, she was hooked. The book’s premise is simple, you are what you eat. And what you eat can help you prevent and even reverse many common diseases. The book made sense to her, but she wasn’t completely sold on how much it would affect her health. She started making small changes at first. Instead of eating junk-food four times a week, it became three. And over the months, these small tweaks started adding up. She felt better in every way, physically and mentally. Her energy levels were better than they had every been her entire life. She is no gym-rat, but does enjoy working out a few times a week or practicing yoga to stay fit. Coincidently, she met a friend who was working on becoming a certified Integrative Nutrition Health coach. Rita enrolled right away, she knew she had found her calling. Integrative Nutrition is a holistic approach towards health. What you eat is considered secondary food, and your relationships, career, activity levels and spirituality are primary foods. Everything is interconnected. Your boss yelling at you might trigger a pretzel binge session, or a stressful relationship might have you reaching for ice-cream. Or maybe everyone at your new job is health conscious, so you start taking apples and carrot sticks to work. The system that Rita teaches you is so much more than going paleo, keto or substituting kale for everything that you know is bad. Rita can help you find ways to deal with these challenges. After an initial free consultation with a client to determine their goals, lifestyle habits and personality traits, she begins to tailor a program that is highly individualized. She doesn’t send you 114
off on your merry way, but instead, she stays involved. For instance, Rita can come check your pantry at home and show you how to make better food choices. Supermarket tours are another great way to learn how to read food labels, understand ingredients and buy the foods that are good for you and aligned with your health-goals. The program takes 6-months to complete. A client learns, not just what to eat but how to navigate through life with health as a priority. Sleep, for example is just as important as what you consume and is often overlooked. Rita’s advice is to give yourself enough time to wind down. All the extra light exposure from our devices, TVs and lightbulbs in the evening is the main reason so many of us are finding it harder to sleep well at night, if at all. But she insists that with small, but consistent, changes we can all get to where we want to be. She suggests that reading a book or meditating might be a good place to start for a relaxing evening ritual. She is also all about flexibility. Rita doesn’t give you a list of foods that you can eat and foods you can’t. Instead, she helps you identify the goals that work for you and then helps you get there. And part of getting there is understanding that you can and will fail. You will eat that slice of cake at your friend’s birthday. And it is OK. I asked Rita if there was a single change that all of us could make right now, what should it be? She didn’t hesitate for a second before saying “drink more water.” Her laugh gave away that she understood how hard that can be. She told me to drink first thing in the morning and that keeping her water bottles by her bedside helped her change her habits. She also offers different ways of infusing your water on her website. It is all about these easy changes that transform into a new routine which, in turn, becomes a lifestyle. The best thing about Rita is that she will get you to the finish line. She gives you easy, concrete, practical and actionable things to do. Then she holds you accountable for your actions, good or bad, and helps you maintain this sustainable attitude. Check out Rita Patatian’s website www.wholeandfit.com to schedule a free health visit and get great insights, recipes and tips. Follow her on Instagram @wholeandfit for some colorful health-inspo. 115
THE ART OF DJING PART 1: Rants and Roots By bazaar staff
Its 2018, and the digital age. Everything is instant, more accessible, streamlined, faster and at your disposal. There are pros and cons to this-on the one hand, it means that everybody can try whatever they like, with relative ease. On the other hand, certain things are becoming oversaturated. DJing is one of those ‘other hand’ scenarios. Everybody and their grandmother is a DJ these days. Back in the late 80s and through the 90s, things were very different. Equipment was expensive and heavy, and required months of saving money to buy (for the average DJ at least) including solid metal casing to transport. Now, all you need is a basic laptop and controller, items that can fit in a backpack and cost next to nothing. There was no internet, or the technology even, to cheaply download a night's worth of music in half an hour and put it all on a USB that fits neatly in your pocket. Your playlist would come from weeks, if not months or years, of trawling shops, digging through shelves and crates of records, spending hundreds of dollars (or GBPs, in my case) in the process. And then getting to carry them all around, 10 KG or more per case. While I’m a fan of the new methods and do use digital myself now (alongside vinyl), what I’m saying is, you had to be really committed to wanting to DJ. And to those of us that really did want to become DJs, all of the above hardship was, and more so now, part of the charm and what we love about it. Us oldies often get together and reminisce about the good old days. Not to say that anybody that’s just starting nowadays doesn’t have the same drive or passion, but the ease of the digital age has made it so that many can half-heartedly enter the game and appear on flyers and headlining events, based on their pre-DJ life status and nothing more. This extends to the likes of Paris Hilton, somebody with no musical talent (that should probably just read ‘no talent’), but already had a platform, so when she decided to become a DJ, the bookings were already there. There are many videos of her ‘performing’ that show various discrepancies while she goes through her farce, such as certain vital equipment not being turned on, the faders not being moved according to the audio, even music being mixed while she takes selfies and is away from the mixer. Her sets are prerecorded. She isn’t the only one either–there are many talentless button pressers that stand there, simply doing the motions of mixing and getting paid top tier amounts of money for it. This is what happens when something becomes mainstream or cool, it gets taken over and altered by the trendy crowd; the sort of people that would 116
[Continued...]
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pay money to see somebody with no musical talent mess around on stage and play a set pre-mixed by somebody else, rather than an actual DJ with talent. It baffles me. Thankfully, this only exists in a small area of the DJing world, as most genres are run by old schoolers that wouldn't settle for such nonsense. I hope that doesn’t change anytime soon. With that rant over, the first thing I would say to anybody wanting to become a DJ is to do it for the love of music, and not have any hopes of becoming rich and famous. You’re really only going to succeed as a big-time DJ in two scenarios. Firstly, if you can produce a hit track (be it mainstream or just within your genre of choice), which naturally gets you the attention, and then the bookings will come. The second way is that if you go viral with your DJ skills, which means you better have something unique or outstanding to show! It can be done, but would only come to those already dedicated to their craft and not to anybody in it just for the money–a lot of hard work is required! So, what is the most important thing to consider to become a good DJ? The basic requirement upon which everything else is based? Knowing how to use every piece of equipment on the market? Getting the PERFECT mix every time? Being able to scratch? Nope. Actually, the main skill required (and the first you should master) to become a good DJ is simply knowing your music. Each and every track you play, you should know like the back of your hand. Be it rock music, dance music, Arabic music, movie soundtracks, classical–it really doesn’t matter, as long as you love it, believe in it and know it. The rest is easy! Some of the best sets you will ever hear will have some bad mixing, perhaps some distorted sound or bad levels. But the tune selection and timing, will be perfect, which is what makes it your favorite set. This is all out of knowing your music, which evolves (with practice while playing live) to feeling and reading the crowd. It will enable you to drop the right track, at the right time to send those listening into a frenzy. You could have Paris Hilton behind the latest and greatest set-up that anybody has ever seen, or you could have a real DJ that knows their music with just an iPhone and a DJ app and the difference would be black and white (in favor of the real DJ, of course). For anybody wanting to DJ, this is a very basic and natural requirement; it’s also easy since you’re playing with music you love, and would be listening to all the time anyway, which means you’ll learn each track quickly. But it’s still important to note because those new to the hobby, or those easily influenced can become confused by conflicting opinions or comments; often people online will stress how important it is to mix ONLY with vinyl, or to NEVER use the sync button, or how your genre of music is trash/commercial/boring etc, but none of that matters and for the most part, it’s simple snobbery. If you’re ever lucky enough to 118
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speak with one of the top DJs that’s been playing for years, they will tell you the same. Also, just play what you love. Don’t feel that you have to play certain tracks, or genres, to suit anybody. Either you’re going to DJ as a hobby at home, or for friends, in which case you’re only going to play and experiment with tunes you like anyway. Or you’re aiming to play out, or on radio or stream, so
stick to what you love and let the right crowd come to you-don’t sell yourself out to gain followers or listeners that will simply leave when you inevitably get bored of playing specifically for them and switch to your own tastes. This is otherwise know as keeping it real! Next month we’ll take a look at the second stepchoosing your formats and equipment. Until then, listen to, learn and enjoy your music!
talabat
KAMAL CHAMELEON
Natasha Kamal on the journey to Pret-a-Cover Buyer’s Lane in Debenhams
By bazaar staff
It’s a title Natasha Kamal accepts for now, designer of modest fashion, but this “modest” label is not a round hole that this square peg of a tenacious pocket rocket fits into. bazaar met the youthful creative in the Personal Shopping suite at Debenhams, The Avenues where she delighted in exploring with us her eponymous sartorial collection. Something that would not immediately spring to mind about a fashion label’s creative director is that they would hold two degrees in traditionally “straight” subjects like accounting or law. Natasha has both of these including all the requisite certificates with lots of letters and acronyms on them that imply “trust me I’m a boring professional”. But Natasha wasn’t boring, she was bored or at the very least certainly miserable in the field. She had done what her father had asked her to and got her education, now she had to be true to herself and Natasha walked away in 2013. Setting up her fashion business and producing her very first line took only six months. The Lahore launch itself was ground breaking, with select pieces being presented as installation art on the walls of a gallery, to be seen, touched and appreciated by the audience. Not “just a number” for buyers to list but as seminal works, each hand-finished garment important in its own way. Of course, the main socialites and influencers in attendance were already dressed in Natasha Kamal; her natural gift for marketing and PR immediately evident. Natasha actually handles the business Instagram account herself, taking it back from the agency when she realized she was the one who could do it justice. Only Natasha Kamal the person truly knows Natasha Kamal the brand. She is keen to maintain control of the vision she has for the company, with her laser-focused goal setting maintaining the brand’s considerable growth and development over the last four years. This is no small feat, being noticed, as Natasha herself says it is difficult in Pakistan, as there are a lot of designers. “Turn over a stone,” she laughs, “and there’s one there!” Ultimately the aim is to become a lifestyle brand, which is a lofty goal for a label in its infancy. The team already produces jewelry to accessorize their styles on the runway because they can’t find the contemporary pieces that some of the designs demand. It seems prudent to take into consideration for the future that the Natasha Kamal customer is living a life of style that will further demand the Natasha Kamal aesthetic. Natasha acknowledges that her mother, as a working woman, has been a big influence on her career goals, and her brother is a 120
big support too. Certain media publications have also welcomed establishing the label as a brand and this has been a real incentive for her to keep developing the business. Natasha is innately diplomatic with clients and automatically slips into gentle-persuasion mode when describing how she deals with clients who demand items which are not entirely flattering. She has a very focused idea of what her lines should look like and what they represent; quality, style, elegance. It is important to her that her clothes have the ability to be transitional, taking her clients through their day and their many different roles of working woman, mother, wife, friend. It is not just the clothes themselves that are transitional however. The collection shipped over for Debenhams Pret-a-Cover Buyer’s Lane to mark Modest Fashion Wekk, is an example of the very best that the label has to offer from reversible silk day wear (imagine Calvin Klein at its minimalist best) to one-off pieces with beading, embroidery and mirror work. Some of these pieces represent many hours of diligent hand-sewn work from the tailoring team, some of whom are ride-or-die and have been with Natasha from the very beginning. The layering is very important within the collection, and there are some pieces which work as modest covers, all floaty and ethereal but throw them over a bikini and you get extremely glamorous beachwear; think J-Lo’s career making appearance in green silk chiffon Versace at the 2000 Grammys.
The attention to detail with these clothes really is astounding. Occasionally when shopping one can find that the perfect item is ruined by the lack of lining or the undergarment itself not adhering to modesty. It may not be a style choice; fashion cynics would say it is cheaper to half-line a garment, and it is highly unusual to see a garment lined with the very fabric it is made of rather than a cost-effective substitute. It can be a technical nightmare to work with crepe georgette or silk chiffon and Natasha has managed to not only hand-bead onto these materials, without using backing or causing runs in the delicate fabric, but has fully lined these blouses with the same chiffon. It has to be seen to be believed and was the single longest endeavor to get exactly right but is probably as a customer the single most empathetic action that can be taken by a designer and greatly appreciated.
As a first foray into hosting Pret-a-Cover Buyer’s Lane Debenhams has done well curating the collections shown during Modest Fashion week; each designer has their own distinctive style and each collection is worth perusal. Natasha Kamal is an exciting new designer with definite ideas about quality and style and is tenacious in delivering excellence to the customer. Debenhams and Natasha Kamal make the perfect customer focused partnership.
Shop Natasha Kamal in Debenhams, Grand Avenue, The Avenues. Follow the Instagram account @natashakamalofficial for posts directly from Natasha. For more on Debenhams follow Instagram and Facebook @debenhamsmiddleeast. 121
bazaar music
By Eminem
KAMAKAZE
By Ghostface Killah
THE LOST TAPES
BROKEN POLITICS
Coming out of absolutely nowhere to shake up the entire industry and reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart, Eminem sneak released his tenth studio album in early September and it made huge waves. Having heard nothing but negative responses to his previous album, Revival, Em decided to get Dr Dre back on board, and show the world that he’s still in charge of the rap game. Disses aplenty, there are a slew of upset artists following this release, marking a true return to form for Slim Shady, with a selection of tracks not to be taken lightly.
Ghostface Killah's new album The Lost Tapes is out this month. It’s the Wu-Tang rapper’s 18th studio album (including his collaborative LPs). The production on the album is entirely credited to Big Ghost (which may or not be Ghostface himself, though A&R and Wu-Tang affiliate Matt “M-Eighty” Markoff denied this to HipHopDX). The record features appearances by Wu-Tang affilitates Raekwon, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna, as well as Big Daddy Kane, Sheek Louch, Vic Spencer, actor Michael Rapaport and more. Snoop Dogg, E-40, and La the Darkman also appear on “Saigon Velour,” the album’s first single.
Entirely produced by Kieran Hebden (Four Tet), Cherry’s fifth solo album is a “quieter and more reflective” record than 2014’s Blank Project, she says in a press release. The track takes its name from popular buildings found in the deep south of America during the end of the 1920s civil war. “It’s about gun culture”, Cherry explains, “the notion of war zones and the tragedies that guns bring there”. As Cherry explains, themes of political protest proliferate on Broken Politics. “Maybe politics starts in your bedroom, or your house—a form of activism, and a responsibility.”
WARZONE
TPC
By Neneh Cherry
EVOLUTION
By Yoko Ono
By Tokyo Police Club
By Disturbed
Yoko Ono is set to return with a new album this month. Due out through son Sean Ono Lennon’s Chimera Music label, it also follows her 2016 remix record, Yes, I’m a Witch Too, which featured updates from the likes of Moby, Portugal. The Man, and Death Cab for Cutie. With Warzone, Ono has re-recorded new versions of songs from her discography, specifically from the era between 1970 and 2009. Of the 13 tracks included, there’s an alternate take on the John Lennon hit “Imagine”, for which Ono — 46 years later — finally received songwriting credit in 2017.
Alt-rock quartet Tokyo Police Club are going for a full reboot on their upcoming semi-self-titled fourth album TPC, out this month via Dine Alone Records. The album brings a new perspective and revitalized sound as the indie darlings celebrate the tenth anniversary of their breakthrough debut Elephant Shell and return from a four year absence since their last studio album, 2014’s Forcefield. The four year gap tested the band both collectively and individually but has also wrought a fresh vibrancy to their material.
Disturbed have revealed the details of their upcoming seventh album, which is titled Evolution and arrives this month. Along with the announcement, the multiplatinum hard-rock band has unveiled the video for the first single “Are You Ready”. The new song hits hard from the get go, with singer David Draiman screaming, “Are you ready, get up, get up,” as he calls for a revolution, with lines like, “Take those mental shackles off and throw them away/You’ve got to get them out of your mind/Don’t you let their vision leave you blind.”
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Source: www.amazon.co.uk
shake shack
bazaar techno
MATE X FOLDING E-BIKE
CORAL ONE ROBOT VACUUM
TESLA PORTABLE WIRELESS CHARGER
FEHER ACH-1 AIR CONDITIONED HELMET
MIRROR INTERACTIVE HOME GYM
NUBIA ALPHA WEARABLE SMARTPHONE
Created in the cycling capital of the world, Copenhagen Denmark, the new Mate X is loaded with upgrades. The foldable e-bike now boasts a Shimano 8-speed cassette with improved easygear shifting, a Tektro braking system, backlit LCD display, and a bigger, longer frame fitted with widerim fat tires. The 750W motor with 48V battery helps the Mate X reach speeds of more than 20mph with a 55-mile range, and it can be folded up in about 10 seconds for easy storage and transportation. Available in five colors with loads of accessory upgrade options.
Summertime is motorcycle time, and that means wearing a helmet in blazing hot weather. You can only go so long before you have to pull over, peel off your lid, and cool your dome. Steve Feher of Feher Helmets has a solution — an air conditioning unit in a helmet that weighs just over three pounds. Steve invented the patented seat cooling system used in cars from Rolls-Royce and Lexus, so he definitely knows a few things about AC. The helmet uses a small thermo-electric pump connected via a breakaway cable that cools the air by 10 to 15 degrees and circulates it all around your head.
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Most robot vacuums are great for picking up stuff on the floor. The Coral One Robot Vacuum lets you clean other places, too. Its motor is contained in a separate piece that can be detached and used as a hand-held vac, letting you get all the places the main unit can't, like stairs, shelves, and vehicles. The handheld battery lasts for half an hour, while the floor unit can run for up to 90 minutes, and while it does use sensors to map out your space, it doesn't have wi-fi or a companion app, using a standard remote instead for easier setup and operation.
The holy grail of home gyms is equipment that disappears when not in use, which is exactly what the Mirror Interactive Home Gym. It serves as a standing or wall-mounted mirror when not in use, but turn it on and the LCD behind the reflective surface springs to life, connecting you with professional trainers in stereo sound. At launch, cardio, strength, yoga, Pilates, barre, boxing, and stretch classes will be available in levels ranging from beginner to expert, and it syncs with Bluetooth heart rate monitors or Apple Watch to track your ability to achieve, maintain and recover from target heart rate zones.
Yes, Tesla makes cars — but those cars are only possible thanks to their battery technology, which is used in everything from grid-connected power banks to products like this Portable Wireless Charger. Spied only briefly on the brand's official shop before disappearing into the ether, it has a 6000mAh cell, with a built-in inductive, Qi-compatible charging pad, as well as integrated USB C and A cables for charging corded devices. No word on when, or if, it will return, but we imagine it should resurface fairly soon.
Based around a flexible OLED screen, the Nubia Alpha Wearable Smartphone blurs the line between phones and watches. Why choose between both, when you can have both functionalities in one device? This innovative device's screen sits inside a metal band that closes around your wrist, with a camera housed in a plastic case in the middle. While its specs are still unknown, but unlike many forward-looking designs, the company does plan to start selling them later this year. With the recent Apple event, this could be the ultimate battle of the smartwatches.
Source: blessthisstuff.com Source: uncrate.com
sutis
THE AUTHENTIC TASTE OF TURKEY The Avenues (Souk)
Menus Complex
sutis_kw
The Gate Mall
bazaar goes cruising
THE FERRARI MONZA
SP1 AND SP2 UNVEILED Introducing the first models in the all-new ‘Icona’ limited-edition special series By bazaar staff
The new Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 have been unveiled to mark the occasion of the company’s Capital Market’s Day at the Maranello factory. These limited-edition special-series cars are the first in a new segment called ‘Icona’, drawing inspiration from the most evocative Ferraris of the 1950s and feature the most advanced sports car technology available today.
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Presented and positioned for Ferrari’s dedicated clients and collectors, the Monza SP1 and SP2 reference the iconic Ferrari racing barchettas of the past, from the iconic 1948 166 MM, which originally inspired the name ‘barchetta’, and the 750 Monza and 860 Monza. Designed with the sole aim of winning, these uncompromising models helped build the Ferrari legend in the 1950s by delivering numerous victories in the World Sports Car Championship. The Ferrari Monza SP1 is designed as an uncompromising, single-seat road car that offers a truly unique experience behind the wheel. The second configuration, the Monza SP2, thanks to the elimination of the tonneau cover and the addition of a second protective screen and a second rollbar, instead arrives as a two-seater to enable the
passenger to share the same driving sensations delivered from its thrilling driving experience. The Monza SP1 and SP2 feature a distinctive design, the best weight-to-power ratio of any barchetta, thanks to the extensive use of carbonfibre in the construction, and distinguishing details, such as head-and tail-lights, wheels and interior, further enhance the cars’ exclusivity. Equipped with the most powerful engine Maranello has ever built, a 810 cv V12, they can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The architecture of the two cars is based on a monolithic form, with an aerodynamic wing profile where the complete absence of a roof and windscreen gave the designers the freedom to create unique proportions that would not have been made possible on a traditional spider.
The result is the feeling of blistering speed, normally only experienced by Formula 1 drivers, which derives from the concept of a cockpit carved from the car’s very shape that wraps around the driver. The Ferrari Design Centre has sought to create a very pure design, as though born from the single stroke of a pencil, to present an ideology of timeless elegance, minimalist form and refined detail. Visually complex solutions, such as those seen on recent racing cars, have been avoided, giving way to a more understated, formal design language. Never has a model expressed such a narrative with so much power, highlighting its appeal as a driver’s car where the link between man and automobile becomes symbiotic.
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A radical choice was made for the design of the cars’ compact doors, which open upwards. Equally important is the all-carbonfiber one-piece bonnet-wing assembly which is hinged at the front to showcase the imposing V12 engine once open. As with racing models, the body shell of both cars is made entirely from lightweight carbon-fiber. The entire interior is trimmed in the same material with a natural finish to enhance the sporty impact of the design. Weight reduction and the ‘barchetta’ configuration guarantee unique vehicle dynamics: perfectly balanced with no roll whatsoever for pure, uncompromising sports-car handling. Because these are authentic “en plein air” sports cars, one of the greatest challenges in their design was managing
the aerodynamic flows inside the cockpit in the absence of a windscreen. The solution was the innovative patented “Virtual Wind Shield” which has been incorporated into the fairing ahead of the instrument panel and the steering wheel. The “Virtual Wind Shield” deviates a part of the air flow to maintain driving comfort. Especially created for Monza SP1 and SP2 owners Ferrari, and in collaboration with two leading luxury brands, Loro Piana and Berluti, a collection of elegant gentlemendriver-inspired apparel and accessories has been launched. The driver’s selection includes racing overalls, jersey, helmet, gloves, scarf and driving shoes. These feature a number of technical solutions to guarantee a comfortable fit and ensure freedom of movement while driving.
Quick Technical Specifications ENGINE Type Overall displacement Max. power output * Max. torque *
V12 – 65° 6496 cm3 603 kW (810 cv) at 8500 rpm 719 Nm at 7000 rpm
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT Length Width Height Dry weight**
4657 mm 1996 mm 1155 mm 1500 kg (SP1), 1520 kg (SP2)
PERFORMANCE 0-100 km/h 0-200 km/h Max. speed
2.9 sec 7.9 sec >300 km/h
FUEL CONSUMPTION/ C02 EMISSIONS Under homologation * with 98 octane petrol **With optional lightweight contents
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For more information, visit the official Ferrari Showroom in Kuwait- Kuwait Automobile & Trading Co located in Al-Rai, on 4th Ring Road. Please visit www.safat.ferraridealers.com and follow them on Instagram @ferrarialzayanikuwait for the latest updates.
zitat
bazaar movie night
The latest from the big screen playing in cinemas across Kuwait in October
FIRST REFORMED
LITTLE ITALY
MANDY
VENOM
FIRST MAN
HALLOWEEN
Release Date: Oct 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Drama, Thriller Cast: Ethan Hawke/Amanda Seyfried/Cedric The Entertainer Synopsis: Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities and 5,000-strong flock. When a pregnant parishioner (Amanda Seyfried) asks Reverend Toller to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past.
Release Date: Oct 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Cast: Tom Hardy/Michelle Williams/Woody Harrelson Synopsis: After various iterations, work on Venom began in March 2017 to start a new shared universe featuring the Marvel characters to which Sony possessed the film rights, though Sony also intends for the film to share the world of SpiderMan: Homecoming, which is set in the MCU after a deal between Sony and Marvel Studios. Following a scandal, journalist Eddie Brock attempts to revive his career by investigating the Life Foundation, but comes into contact with an alien symbiote that bonds with Brock, giving him superpowers as long as they share the same body.
Release Date: Oct 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Comedy, Romance Cast: Hayden Christensen/Emma Roberts/Alyssa Milano Synopsis: The director of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Miss Congeniality serves up a brand new comedy topped with passion, playfulness, and pepperoni. Former childhood pals Leo (Hayden Christensen, Star Wars series) and Nikki (Emma Roberts, We're the Millers) are attracted to each other as adults-but will their feuding parents' rival pizzerias put a chill on their sizzling romance? The tasty all-star cast also includes Alyssa Milano (Charmed), with Danny Aiello (Do The Right Thing), and Andrea Martin (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).
Release Date: Oct 11th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Biography, Drama, History Cast: Ryan Gosling/Claire Foy /Jason Clarke Synopsis: First Man is the riveting of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969. A visceral, first-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the movie will explore the sacrifices and the cost—on Armstrong and on the nation—of one of the most dangerous missions in history. Written by Academy Award winner Josh Singer, the drama is produced by Wyck Godfrey & Marty Bowen through their Temple Hill Entertainment banner, alongside Chazelle and Gosling. Isaac Klausner executive produces. DreamWorks Pictures co-finances the film.
Release Date: Oct 4th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller Cast: Nicolas Cage/Andrea Riseborough/Linus Roache Synopsis: Set in the US's Pacific Northwest in 1983, outsiders-turned-locals Red Miller and Mandy Bloom lead a loving and peaceful existence. With a twise of fate, their new and serene pine-scented haven is savagely destroyed by a cult led by the sadistic Jeremiah Sand, Red is catapulted into a phantasmagoric journey filled with bloody vengeance and laced with deadly fire. Mandy holds an approval rating of 94% based on 95 reviews, and an average rating of 7.6/10 on Rotten Tomatos.
Release Date: Oct 18th Theaters: Cinescape Kuwait-wide Genre: Horror, Thriller Cast: Judy Greer/Jamie Lee Curtis/Nick Castle Synopsis: The original and best slasher film of all time, Halloween, is back for a rebooted sequel 40 years after the classic original hit cinemas. Original cast members Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle return, as well as input from the creator, John Carpenter. It's been 40 years since Laurie Strode survived a vicious attack from crazed killer Michael Myers on Halloween night. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, Ill. -- but this time, she's ready for him
For more details on movie timings and the cinema nearest you, visit Cinescape at www.cinescape.com.kw. *Above programs are subject to change without prior notice. 130
blaze pizza
bazaar apps
APP HOARDER
TASTY
DOLPHIN EMULATOR
XBOX GAME PASS (BETA)
KHAN ACADEMY KIDS
GYM EXERCISES & WORKOUTS
App Hoarder is a unique and fun little app. It shows you deals in the Google Play Store. That includes free app and game promotions. You surf through the various promotions and pick up the ones you like. The app features a simple UI, tons of filters, notifications, blacklist features, and more. You can customize this one quite a bit. There are ads, but they are removable with a single in-app purchase. The in-app purchases vary in size, but they are optional donations as well. This is a surprisingly good app for those who like apps and games.
Dolphin Emulator is an emulator for Nintendo Wii and GameCube. It's quite popular on PC. However, its Android release was a little less than stellar. It's back after a lengthy absence and the developers want it to work this time. They promised updates, stability improvements, and more. The emulator itself comes with no games. That's on you to find them. Otherwise, this free emulator is about the only option for GameCube and Wii emulation on mobile. It should get much better over time, but it's a little buggy right now.
Khan Academy Kids is a kids version of the popular educational software. Khan Academy is an excellent source of learning for things like math, science, and other such things. The kids version is a little simpler for younger minds. Lessons include reading, writing, language skills, social development, problem solving, and motor skill development. This is obviously for younger kids in case the cartoon characters didn't make it obvious. This one is also entirely free. It's easily among the best educational apps for kids.
Tasty isn't technically a new app. The popular cooking site had one previously but took it down for whatever reason. This new version is their latest offering. It has a bunch of recipes, filters for various dieting habits, and step-by-step instructions in Tasty's usual, fun manner. This won't affect production on the Facebook page or YouTube, thankfully. It's otherwise an above average recipe app with a decent UI and a bunch of fun recipes. There are some bugs, but it's a new app. They will likely get fixed in future updates.
Xbox Game Pass is an app specifically for Xbox Game Pass users. The service costs $9.99 per month. You get to play a bunch of games without paying for them individually. This app lets you manage that subscription. You can view deals, new games on the Pass, and you can even set your Xbox to install them. You do need your Xbox One set to Instant On in the settings to do that part. The app is otherwise useless if you don't subscribe to the service. It's in beta, so expect bugs, but it's Microsoft so it should get straightened out eventually.
Gym Exercises & Workouts is a rare free fitness app. It's not as complicated and complex as the premium options. However, there is definitely enough here to write about. It features a variety of workouts and you can create your own. Some other features include fitness tracking, choice between pounds and kilograms, and guides for various exercises. This is an excellent workout app for beginners or intermediates. Those hardcore into working out may want something a little more complete. However, we can't argue with this app's price tag. It's free, but it does contain advertising.
tomsguide.com androidauthority.com 132
NOW OPEN IN THE AVENUES NEW SOUK - GROUND FLOOR
hatay sofrasi
Authentic Turkish cuisine and bearing the historical legacy of the Hatay province and the spirit of the capital Antioch. @hataysofrasi_kw
Murouj
The Avenues
22057010
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AMINA KHALIL
INDIRA JEWELRY
Indira launches their newest collection, The Geo Line, in collaboration with Egyptian actress Amina Khalil By bazaar staff
Indira Jewelry is Egyptian American Marwa Saadawi’s brainchild. Born of summers spent in her ancestral home of Egypt and being inspired by the country’s rich architecture, fashion and history. After years of exploring bazaars in Egypt, and discovering local jewelry designers and silversmiths, she knew she wanted to create her passion for jewelry into a business. Today, Indira Jewelry’s modus operandi is creating high quality, timeless and functional pieces that can be worn every day. Having launched in 2014, Indira Jewelry quickly rose in the ranks of local, regional and now global designers. Sterling silver and responsibly sourced fresh water pearls and mother of pearl shells have always been the hallmark of their designs. But the latest collection introduces vermeil gold in the lineup too. Everything is designed, assembled and hand finished in their Cairo studio. The new collection is not just special because of the introduction of gold, it stands at the crossroads of being both ancient and very modern, honoring classic origins while being ready and bold, looking towards the future. The Geo line is all about life’s fluidity. Geometric shapes, jagged edges and smooth circles are juxtaposed with pearls in white, blue and green. “The Geo line is really about movement, and adding a cool modern touch to anyone’s outfit,” Marwa says. Saadawi wanted to shine a light on Amina Khalil’s natural beauty and simplicity. The campaign photoshoot also included Naila Marie, an underground singer and fine artist and illustrator. In light makeup and comfortable fall clothing, the campaign feels like being invited to brunch with friends. Marie described the Indira woman as having “… mastered the art of balance. The balance between the light and heavy, the strict and playful, the female and male, conforming and rebellion.” Beautifully summing up the collection which contains so many opposing elements that come together in perfect harmony. During the shoot, Amina mentioned that she liked how affordable the brand is. Giving people high quality pieces at an accessible price-point. And she summed up Indira Jewelry perfectly on her Instagram account “..the perfect mix of simple and edgy..” We totally agree! We interviewed Marwa to learn more about her, her process and the future. Where do you find inspiration? I am inspired by historical and contemporary architecture. I love the geometry and repetition in architectural designs and often find that architecture is inspired by patterns in nature, which is then translated for an urban environment. One of Indira’s first and best selling pieces was designed after the Cairo tower.
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Marwa Saadawi
Could you tell us more about your design process? Which is your favorite part? I think the design process changes over time, for me. In our earlier collections I was designing based on very iconic architectural buildings between New York City and Cairo that sort of resemble my upbringing. Such as the Cairo tower (Brianna collection) , Flat Iron building (Tara earrings), Highline (the Jessy collection) etc. Now that we know what our customer likes and wants, we build off of what we have created in correlation with this. The best part is definitely seeing customers wearing your jewelry! What has been the hardest thing about starting Indira Jewelry? I would say the balance of staying patient and positive in the flashy, fast-paced world we are currently living in. It is important for the Indira brand to stay true to our intention. It is easy to slip into the trends, or to just push out fast fashion, however our goal is more about quality, timelessness, and beauty. Did you imagine Indira being this successful when you first started? I knew that I could have a shot at becoming successful because I spent a lot of time researching on not just the successful brands, but also the ones that did not necessarily make it. Growing up I was always creative with my style, or even the way I did presentations in school, how I interpreted aspects of life etc. I was always an observer and I continue to always absorb as much as I possibly can wherever I may be. I also have set out to design a product that resembled the transient world, meshing two chaotic cities (Cairo-NYC) into one.
Amina Khalil
After the introduction of gold in this collection, what materials would you like to try incorporating next in your designs? Currently we are working with gold vermeil, so naturally we will go into incorporating fine gold elements mixed with silver. I am also searching for a new material that will fit Indira’s brand. However; since we are still young and growing I want to maintain our aesthetic before incorporating different materials. I also am very careful about making sure all materials being used are of genuine value. For now we will be introducing white abalone for spring 2019. What was the most unexpected thing that you learned while creating your brand? The immense amount of unprofessionalism that one can encounter. I think coming from an educational sector (having a teaching and mental health degree), I have a very rigid and organized mindset when working. As a teacher in the US, if you did not have everyday planned out and your lesson plans submitted with great detail; not only would you look unprepared in front of 20-25 children, but you would be replaced immediately by the next striving educator. I find a lot of people do not do the “prep� and work needed to be able to achieve what they want. You need to put in the work to get the results that you want.
Naila Marei
[Continued...]
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Which do you find harder? More interesting? The design part or managing a business part? I would say in the beginning it was equally difficult to manage the two parts. Now that our aesthetic has been put into place and a rhythm of how to build on the designs, the business part is definitely more of a challenge. What is your most treasured/worn piece of jewelry? This beautiful micro pave geometrical diamond ring that my aunt gave me when I was 16-years-old. I wore it daily for over a decade. It is such a timeless piece for me, that I now leave it in my jewelry chest and only wear it for those moments when I really need luck on my side. Why did you choose Amina Khalil for this campaign? We chose Amina because of her effortless lifestyle. She’s very lighthearted and easy going when you’re with her. Amina is as real as it gets. She says what’s on her mind and is inclusive of whoever is around her. Amina also is a strong supporter of working with Egyptian locally made brands. Amina embodies the perfect example of the customers that wear Indira Jewelry: strong, beautiful inside and out, not afraid to be goofy, kindhearted, and down to earth. What was it like working with her? It was seamless, we did not really feel like we were working. It felt more like hanging out. Amina is also very passionate and professional about anything she is involved with. This allows the energy of the shoot and collaboration to really be filled with love. She was also very hands-on when Ghufran (Indiras Art Director) was selecting the clothing, almost as if we were a bunch of girls planning our outfits for the night. What was your favorite thing about this campaign? What’s nice is how full circle this became. When Indira moved production from New York to Egypt, I met Amina at the beach and she loved my bracelet at the time and posted about it (back in 2016). So it was something that was important for me and for Indira as a brand, to revisit this kind actress who loved our pieces from day one. What would you tell someone who would like to become a jewelry designer? Any Advice? Words of wisdom? There is a lot to take into consideration besides just design. Understand your market, price point, and more importantly where you want to go with the brand. Some of the designs that we create may be a best seller in Egypt or Dubai, while other designs of ours are best sellers in the States. So when we design, we design keeping both of our customers in mind. I believe it is important to surround yourself with people in not just the jewelry industry but also in the business, fashion, and photography fields. I am a member to various business organizations such as Bumble Bizz (US based), in addition to being a board member of the GSC entrepreneurial organization,
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and work closely with The Amanqi Edit (based in UAE) etc. In addition to this I attend all sorts of workshops, events, and try to collaborate with as many like-minded people as possible. I think the best words of wisdom would be to always welcome and listen to constructive criticism because that is what makes you stronger, and what makes you grow and in the end simply trust your gut. Where would you like to see Indira Jewelry go next? We are getting ready to launch a Men’s line! (This is the first time I am publicly announcing this). We want to develop a slightly unique aesthetic for men to be able to have some fun with their accessories. We will begin with necklaces, bracelets, and a few rings. However we want to develop more interesting accents that Men can add to their shirts, collars, ties etc. More importantly when I started this brand I always had the intention of incorporating a CSR educational aspect to Indira. So this is something we are finally getting closer to developing.
Shop the collection on www.indirajewelry.com and follow them on Instagram @Indira_nyc for the latest updates. For more on Amina Khalil and Naila Marei follow @aminakhalilofficial and @nailamarei on Instagram.
Enjoy European Peach!
As an exclusively summer, cool, juicy, and full of avor fruit, the peach is considered as the fruit of purity and immortality, according to some Eastern traditions.
peach
The peach is ideal for those watching their diet, since it is low in calories, and high in vitamins. Food safety is a top priority for Europe.
www.peachgarden.eu
ÂŹ The Peach Growers Associations that take part in the implementation of this program perform tests in privately-owned laboratories, to ensure thus the safety and quality of the products sold to consumers in the international market.
CAMPAIGN FINANCED WITH AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND GREECE
big boys toys
MERCEDES-BENZ CONCEPT VAN
MB&F GRANT ROBOT CLOCK
ARCTIC FOX IGLOOS
HYDROCAR
CURVE APPEAL 3D-PRINTED HOUSE
RICHARD MILLE ADVENTURE WATCH
The Mercedes Sprinter has been delivering the goods for over 20 years. But the future looks more like Vision Urbanetic concept, an autonomous chassis that can accept a variety of pods for everything from cargo to people. The all-electric platform is designed as an all-in-one package for many markets. The cargo module can hold just over 350 cubic feet or 10 European-spec pallets. The passenger module can carry up to 12 people, and with everything contained in the chassis, modules can be swapped in a matter of minutes.
The product of ten years and $1 million (KD 333,000) in development costs, the HydroCar is a one-off amphibious wonder. Created by noted Pro Street builder Rick Dobbertin, the car has full-length articulating pontoons that raise when on land to become the car's fenders, and drop eight inches in the water, transforming it from a road car to a tunnel-hulled watercraft. It's powered by a 762 hp Bill Mitchell Racing engine, with a 750 hp Arneson Surface Drive for the water, and arrives complete with a custom trailer.
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A collaboration between MB&F and L'Epée 1839, the Grant Robot Clock is a tank-like tabletop timepiece. Its powered by a 268-component movement with a power reserve of eight days and has three different positions, including horizontal, a 45º upward tilt, and a 90º upright mode. The movement and main housing sit atop three operational rubber tracks, with an Incabloc shock protection system, spinning disk in the left hand, and removable grenade launcher/winding & setting key in his right. Available in nickel, black, or blue, and limited to just 50 examples of each.
As 3D printing has evolved, the projects have become more and more ambitious. Enter the Curve Appeal 3D-Printed House. Designed by WATG, the 1,000-square-foot residence will be printed using Branch Tecnchology's freeform process, making it the first of its kind. The home features a sweeping curved exterior to provide structural stability. Its interior takes inspiration from the Case Study Houses of the 1950s offering a modernist aesthetic.
The Arctic Fox Igloos puts out front and center Finland's nightly phenomenon. Rooms are located in a glass dome-like structure offering a kitchenette and double bed. Facing the Ranuanjärvi lakeshore, the arctic landscape is immersive, while its remote setting makes it a prime location for viewing the Northern Lights. Although the views are surreal, there's plenty more to do than gaze into the snowy abyss. The property offers a series of arctic safaris where guests can explore the wilderness on snowmobiles, huskies, or reindeer.
Developed over the course of four years in collaboration with Sylvester Stallone, the Richard Mille RM 25-01 Tourbillon Adventure is a watch worthy of Rambo. It measures a massive 50.85mm wide, yet hides a sophisticated tourbillon movement inside, made from titanium with a 24-hour time display and chronograph. The case is made from Carbon TPT and titanium, is water resistant to 100 meters and also accommodates a spirit level — for use with the compass bezel.
Source: www.uncrate.com
chimneys
chimneysrh 550 110 40
bazaar books
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens
For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life-until the unthinkable happens. Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.
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MOTORBIKES AND CAMELS by Nejoud Al-Yagout
by James Patterson
JUROR #3
by Lisa Brennan-Jobs
SMALL FRY
FLIGHT OR FRIGHT
Poet, essayist, and founder of Co-Exist Kuwait released her first novel: Motorbikes and Camels. Threading together the narratives of multiple protagonists during their journey to distinguish between their culture and their true selves, Motorbikes and Camels confronts the need for tolerance and acceptance in a society steeped in dogma. The unique, interlaced narratives of different characters per chapter examine the individual hardships many people face in relationships and as members of a larger community. The first character is Salma, a woman grappling with her loss of faith and a desire to see more of the world. Another character is Hussam, a privileged man in society attempting to conceal his sexuality. The character, Mohammed, loses more than he ever imagines after using his religious rights to find a new bride; while Mike appropriates Kuwaiti culture to escape his collapsed world. Overall, Motorbikes and Camels directly confronts the financial, social, and ideological divides in Kuwait.
Ruby Bozarth, a newcomer to Rosedale, Mississippi, is also fresh to the Mississippi Bar-and to the docket of Circuit Judge Baylor, who taps Ruby as defense counsel in a racially charged felony. The murder of a woman from one of the town's oldest families has Rosedale's upper crust howling for blood, and the prosecutor is counting on Ruby's inexperience to help him deliver a swift conviction. Ruby's client is a college football star who has returned home after a career-ending injury, and she is determined to build a defense that will stick. She finds help in unexpected quarters from Suzanne, a hardcharging attorney armed to the teeth, and Shorty, a diner cook who knows more than he lets on. Ruby never belonged to the country-club set, but once she nearly married into it. As news breaks of a second murder, Ruby's ex-fiancé, Lee Greene, shows up on her doorstep--a Southern gentleman in need of a savior. As lurid, intertwining investigations unfold, no one in Rosedale can be trusted, especially the twelve men and women impaneled on the jury.
Born on a farm and named in a field by her parents artist Chrisann Brennan and Steve Jobs, Lisa Brennan-Jobs’s childhood unfolded in a rapidly changing Silicon Valley. When she was young, Lisa’s father was a mythical figure who was rarely present in her life. As she grew older, her father took an interest in her, ushering her into a new world of mansions, vacations, and private schools. His attention was thrilling, but he could also be cold, critical and unpredictable. When her relationship with her mother grew strained in high school, Lisa decided to move in with her father, hoping he’d become the parent she’d always wanted him to be. Small Fry is Lisa Brennan-Jobs’s poignant story of childhood and growing up. Scrappy, wise, and funny, young Lisa is an unforgettable guide, marveling at the particular magic of growing up in this family, in this place and time, while grappling with her feelings of illegitimacy and shame. Part portrait of a complex family, part love letter to California in the seventies and eighties.
Stephen King hates to fly. Now he and co-editor Bev Vincent would like to share this fear of flying with you. Welcome to Flight or Fright, an anthology about all the things that can go horribly wrong when you're suspended six miles in the air, hurtling through space at more than 500 mph and sealed up in a metal tube (like gulp! a coffin) with hundreds of strangers. All the ways your trip into the friendly skies can turn into a nightmare, including some we'll bet you've never thought of before... but now you will the next time you walk down the jetway and place your fate in the hands of a total stranger. Featuring brand new stories by Joe Hill and Stephen King, as well as fourteen classic tales and one poem from the likes of Richard Matheson, Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl, Dan Simmons, and many other iconic authors, Flight or Fright is, as King says, "ideal airplane reading, especially on stormy descents... Even if you are safe on the ground, you might want to buckle up nice and tight."
by Stephen King
Source: www.amazon.co.uk
starbucks
bazaar around town
`YOU COULD BE THE NEXT AL DANAH MILLIONAIRE! With Gulf Bank’s upcoming Al Danah KD 1 million draw scheduled to take place on the 10th of January 2019, you could make your dreams come true by becoming the next Al Danah Millionaire! But it doesn’t just stop at Al Danah’s KD 1 million prize, because opening an Al Danah account with Gulf Bank entitles you to enter several draws, including 5 weekly winners where each receives KD 1,000, and the quarterly draws of up to KD 500,000. Gulf Bank encourages you to increase your chances by depositing more into your Al Danah account, immediately from any local bank, using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is available on Gulf Bank’s Online and Mobile Banking. Hurry up though, the closing date to enter the Al Danah KD 1 million draw is October 31st. Don't forget that the Al Danah account offers you the most chances to win, and it is the only account in Kuwait that transfers your chances to win from the previous year on to the following year! Al Danah also offers a number of unique services including: the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al Danah winner. Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account is open to Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers require a minimum of KD 200 to open an account and the same amount must be maintained as for customers to be eligible for the upcoming Al Danah draws. Customers who open an account and/or deposit more will enter the weekly draw within two days. 10 Years of Making Millionaires. To take part in the Al Danah’s final draw, customers must meet the required hold period for each draw; customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 58 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805 805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al Danah and its winners.
PORSCHE PRESENTS THE NEW MACAN Porsche has unveiled the new version of its compact SUV. The Macan has been a great success since its launch in 2014, and has now been enhanced in terms of design, comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics, resulting in the model remaining as the sporty flagship in its segment. Staying true to the Porsche design DNA, the new Macan features a three-dimensional LED tail light strip and LED headlights as standard. The most striking innovations inside the vehicle include the 11-inch touchscreen of the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM), re-designed and re-positioned air vents and the GT sports steering wheel familiar from the 911. The PCM also enables access to new digital functions, such as intelligent voice control. The vehicle’s range of comfort equipment has also been expanded to include an ioniser and windscreen heating. The Macan is a genuine success story. The combination of typical Porsche performance on any terrain coupled with a high degree of everyday practicality impressed customers right from its debut. Since 2014, Porsche has delivered more than 350,000 units. With over 100,000 deliveries to-date, the model is especially popular in the Chinese market where Porsche unveiled the redesigned compact SUV. The version of the model presented in Shanghai will be offered exclusively in the Chinese market. A range of Macan derivatives will be launched for other regions in due course. For more information, visit Porsche Centre Kuwait on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the currently available models and new vehicle launches, please visit www.porschekuwait.com or call 1870 870.
Fantasia World Bazaar Magazine 26x31 cm.pdf
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9/17/18
5:59 PM
CEDAR SUMMIT KINGSBRIDGE PLAYSET AT FANTASY WORLD The USA-made Cedar Summit Kingsbridge Playset by KidKraft is now exclusively in Fantasy World’s stores just in time for the wonderful weather that will grace us in Kuwait. Invite your children’s friends and the whole block and see them live up everyone’s garden dream with the mammoth Kingsbridge Playset. Make the most of your children’s outdoor fun with the wooden playset that has three slides, one Twist N’ Ride tube slide plus two side-by-side high-rail wave slides that all add up to maximum excitement. The playset also has not one but two two-story forts, each with gabled shiplap roofs and decorative dormers. In between, a tunnel with eight lookout windows gives your children more room to explore their endless imagination. Below is even more fort space, complete with a play stove, sink and utensil shelf. Two multi-colored rock walls make for easy climbing, with safety handles for added grip, and dual belt swings and an acro bar provide even more fun, with heavy-duty swing hangers and chains for secure high-flying. Available at KD 999, you can now buy the Cedar Summit Kingsbridge Playset at any Fantasy World store.
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To learn more about Fantasy World, visit any of Fantasy World’s social media platforms, Facebook (fantasyworldtoyskuwait), Instagram (fantasyworldtoys) and YouTube (fantasyworld Kuwait).
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eddie griffin
eddie griffin BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW @ WWW.EVENTAT.COM PRODUCED BY:
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FAWZIA SULTAN HEALTHCARE NETWORK ANNOUNCES THE EIGHTH EDITION OF RUNKUWAIT CHARITY RACE Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network (FSHN), a non-profit multidisciplinary healthcare provider, is pleased to announce the return of its annual charity sporting event, RunKuwait, in its eighth edition. The event, which will be held on November 10th, invites interested participants and RunKuwait returning friends to register for the race and contribute to improving the lives of children with special needs. RunKuwait is a charitable initiative aiming at raising awareness and funds towards the rehabilitative treatment of vulnerable children with special needs. Since 2013, all registration proceeds are channeled directly towards the non-profit Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC), founded by FSHN. Last year's event successfully contributed towards offering a total of 795 treatment sessions to children with special needs, which were offered at no cost. RunKuwait is a community based fun sporting event for all family members who can join a 5KM or 10KM run or walk starting from The Scientific Center. The event’s race village will host different warm-up exercises, activities for children and exciting activities for family members and friends who will join the event to cheer for the participants. Interested participants can register through the RunKuwait.org website. Additional information or queries about the race can be channeled through the RunKuwait official social media channels, @RunKuwait on Instagram and Facebook.
INVISIBOBBLE SPRUNCHIE MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY Back in the 80s stars like Madonna, Demi Moore and Janet Jackson started a new hair trend by converting a simple styling tool into an absolute must-have-accessory. Now, the famous scrunchie is back again! With a new design and improved wearing comfort, invisibobble proudly presents the invisibobble SPRUNCHIE. Super elastic, soft and wrapped in fabric, this hair tool is the perfect eye catcher for every day and every updo. Hidden underneath luxurious velvet fabric, the invisibobble SPRUNCHIE contains a classic ORIGINAL, therefore providing benefits that come with its super talent. Due to its spiral shape, the hair tie holds all strands of hair together and is still easy to remove. Available in two different colors, this new invisibobble family member is your companion for the upcoming season. The leopard patterned Purrfection gives every outfit an extra touch. True Black on the other hand, adds a subtle and elegant note to every styling. The invisibobble SPRUNCHIE is the hair accessory for every occasion and looks great around the wrist too. Invisibobble is distributed by beautique cosmetics international. For more information, please visit wwwbeautiquecosmeticsintl.com call 2225 1285.
ARE ILLUMINATING TWEEZERS THE ANSWER TO NOT OVER-PLUCKING YOUR BROWS? Got an eyebrow horror story? Thanks to a joyous decade called the 90s, so does everyone else. We got tweezer happy—so much so that the after-shock might have made you ditch the classic beauty tool completely. But since then, the facial feature got a much-needed makeover. And now, one brand is working on making over the tool that is, at least in part, responsible for our brow-break. It's called La-tweez. The exclusive Diamond Dust tip technology creates an extreme grip surface that makes plucking hairs effortless. These tweezers also feature high-grade stainless steel body's, exclusive triangle arm cutouts and a Swarovski crystal on/off button. Crafted from the finest stainless steel, the hand filed tips are perfectly aligned and guaranteed to tweez. The ultra bright LED light illuminates your eyebrows and allows you to see those hard to reach hairs. Perfect for both home and on the go, the chic compact carrying case has a built-in magnifying mirror. La-tweez is distributed by beautique cosmetics international. For more information, please visit wwwbeautiquecosmeticsintl.com call 2225 1285.
GROUNDED IN FACES Meet the Coconut Coffee Scrub; A delicious smelling skin treat to give you flawless, soft and smooth skin every day. Filled with Vitamins, Minerals and Anti-oxidants. It's made with a blend of skin loving ingredients such as Robusta Coffee, Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sugar, Salt and Vitamin E to Scrub away dry skin, moisturize, cleanse, tone, tighten and brighten skin - all done in a 5-10 minute shower. Faces was born in Kuwait in 1987. Today, Faces has stores in Avenues, 360, 89 mall, Ajial mall and Awtad mall Jahra.
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Arabnet
MEDIA PARTNER
bazaar around town
CROCS REDEFINES CASUAL FOOTWEAR FOR EVERY SEASON Finding that perfect shoe to explore Kuwait’s warner climes can be difficult and you often find yourself having to choose between comfort and style when buying footwear. Crocs, a global leader in innovative casual footwear for women, men and children, has just the answer in two new collections for the season. In addition to the classics, which take up most of the collection each season, Crocs introduced the nature-inspired Botanicals Collection, which incorporates hibiscus flower charms, high-shine butterfly embellishments and electro-graphics to provide an on-trend, dramatic twist on the ultra-comfortable Classic Clog and Crocs Sloane Slide. For those who are all about comfort, Crocs also launched LiteRide collection, its newest innovation in comfort technology to-date. LiteRide is a revolutionary closed-cell material that reinforces Crocs’ dedication to comfort, delivering consumers a delightful mix of support and sink-in softness. Both collections are now available in all Crocs stores across Kuwait at The Avenues Mall, 360 Mall, Discovery Mall, Gate Mall, Al-Kout Mall, Marina Mall, Liwan Mall, Al-Salam Mall, Sama Center, Souq Mubarakiya and Kuwait International Airport. Want to learn more about Crocs? Follow Crocs on Instagram @CrocsKuwait, Twitter @CrocsKuwait, Facebook/ CrocsKuwait.
H&M IN A UNIQUE COLLABORATION WITH MORRIS & CO This autumn, H&M is collaborating with Morris & Co, the quintessentially British interiors brand founded in 1861 by William Morris, one of the most influential designers of the Arts & Crafts Movement. The collection features some of the most recognized archival prints in romantic yet tailored designs and will be available in store as well as online, from October 4. Sourced from its vast archive, the Morris & Co prints used throughout the collection are some of the most iconic often seen on wallpaper and interior textiles. The collection includes a wide range of strong tailored coats, jackets and trousers, romantic dresses and blouses, cozy knits and coordinating separates. Silhouettes are longer yet lean, with wool blends, velvet and fluid fabrics, and details such as tie-necks, voluminous sleeves, knife pleats and ruffles. The iconic Morris & Co prints used in the collection include Brer Rabbit, inspired by a 17th-century Italian silk and symbolic of William Morris’ love of British nature, and Love is Enough, a tribute to his many skills as a writer, poet and typographer. Lily Leaf and Marigold are all-over prints, while the flower heads of Pimpernel originated as a wallpaper print and hung in Morris’ own dining room at Kelmscott House. Woodford Plaid is a contemporary version of a traditional tartan and similarly, The Brook is a print created in 2015 but inspired by medieval tapestries. Originally block-printed onto cotton, Snakeshead was one of Morris’ favorite chintzes and illustrates his skill of combining the dramatic with the delicate. Follow H&M on Facebook and Twitter @HMKUWAIT and Instagram @HM.
RIVER ISLAND – AUTUMN / WINTER 2018 WOMENSWEAR COLLECTION For Autumn Winter, River Island has something for everyone, unique and directional trends lead the high street with touches of glam rock, vintage chic and street cool. Fit for any occasion, sophisticated or lowkey, radiant fabrics and elaborate textures will wow day or night. Versatile separates mixed with a dynamic array of colours, ambiguous prints and RI statement embellishment will empower every woman to be the best version of themselves. 80’s stands to attention with vivid tones and monochromatic graphics. The vibrant colour palette of intense oranges and bright blues are styled with a powerful mix of sultry animal and chain prints. Faux fur, studs and patent are at the forefront, tipped with ruffles, frills and bows. Statement accessories are key with oversized baker boy hats, supersized disc earrings and dazzling leather gloves completing the collection. Structured checks and impressive faux fur combine to create HERITAGE. Warm tan, browns and muted beiges are revamped into suit dressing with added pops of colour, patent textures in utility brown and transparent plastics. Modern maxi skirts and leather trousers have been given a vintage spin with classic paper-bag waistlines and vintage checks. For more information, check out River Island on Facebook:RiverIslandME and Instagram @riverislandme.
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run kuwait
In support of the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center of FSHN which serves children with special needs Location: Scientific Center
5KM/10KM FUN RUN WALK
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bazaar scopes
SCORPIO OCT 23 – NOV 22
GEMINI MAY 21 – JUN 21
It looks as though change is on the horizon at work. You've just recently completed some long-term projects and are being recognized for your efforts. Perhaps a bonus or promotion is in store. Your affinity for technology and ability to quickly absorb new information makes you a prime candidate for a new position that's just opened up. Grab the chance!
It might feel like your home has turned into Grand Central Station. Lots of visitors, messengers, and others are going to drop by, and you may just want to watch TV or read a book. This could lead to some understandable irritation. However, be your usual polite self. If possible, get a family member to screen your callers. You might be frustrated, but you don't want to offend anybody.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 – DEC 21
CANCER JUN 22 – JUL 22
Crazy as it seems, why not take that impromptu trip you've been eager to go on? Adventure calls, and there's nothing to stop you from answering. You'll meet some fascinating new people, and one may wind up having a strong influence on your life. There is a great big world out there, so make the time to go and see some of it!
You might have to do a lot of running around when you probably want to stay home. Obligations to friends and family are likely to come up, and even though you're a bit tired you'll want to help out. The best plan is to get everything done as quickly as possible and then spend the rest of your time relaxing alone. You can have it both ways!
CAPRICORN DEC 22 – JAN 19
LEO JUL 23 – AUG 22
AQUARIUS JAN 20 – FEB 18
The glass may look half empty, but only at first glance. Keep looking at it, or perhaps change the way you look at it, and you'll see that it indeed is half full. You may be experiencing some frustration. Computers could be down or communication hindered in some way. Don't get stressed. See this as an ideal time to relax since you can't get any work done anyway.
Prosperity is just around the corner. With it comes change. Change in your job, career, or environment figures prominently. However this change manifests, it's bound to be positive. You're lucky, and you're about to hit the road to even greater success. Savor this moment, for you'll be busy soon! Your world is changing, both internally and externally. You feel a need to broaden your horizons. You may be contemplating a move to a new neighborhood or trip to a faraway land. The people in your life will change as a result of this. You're about to embark on a new phase of life, and these new friends will act as able guides.
PISCES FEB 19 – MAR 19
Romance is in the air. It's likely that your relationship with your loved ones will see a dramatic improvement. Perhaps some flowers will arrive unexpectedly or you'll be paid a sincere compliment. Harmony reigns in the work environment as well. Both people and machines run smoothly and efficiently.
VIRGO AUG 23 – SEP 22 There are lots of personal and financial issues to resolve. You may hear from your bank or see some alarming numbers on an ATM receipt. Don't get upset. Ultimately, these matters will be resolved to your benefit. As for personal matters, you may learn some new information about someone you thought you knew well. A relationship you once considered close may not be.
LIBRA SEP 23 – OCT 22 A rising tide lifts all boats. When someone close experiences a windfall or especially good luck, the ripple effect reaches you. Change is in the air. While everything happening is positive, sometimes it feels like it's going too quickly. You feel a bit off balance, with little or no time to adjust. Even windfalls take some getting used to. Give yourself time to settle in to the new circumstances.
ARIES MAR 20 – APR 19
Too much indulging may leave you with a headache or stomachache to the point where you may want to spend most of your time sleeping. The stress of this condition could cause you to snap at family members, but remember that they weren't the ones who chose to overindulge. Chill out, get some rest, and regain your strength. You'll be back in the real world soon enough.
TAURUS APR 20 – MAY 20 You like to be honest with those you care about, but now you're likely to be a bit too honest. Don't be too quick to take offense, and watch the tendency to be too blunt. If you temper your honesty with some diplomacy, you should get your message across with a minimum of hurt feelings. You create win/win situations that way. It's best for all involved.
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