BAHRAIN
www.ohlala-magazine.com
FEARLESS FASHION An Exclusive With Tory Burch Screen Legend Robert De Niro
Your New Winter Wardrobe GUERLAIN Revealing Your Inner Beauty
THE WOMEN BEHIND
Mclaren
January 2013 Issue # 98 BAHRAIN BD2 UAE DHS20 QATAR QR20 KUWAIT KD2 KSA SR20
Screen Legend Robert De Niro
Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
Welcome 2013!
ast month, the Gulf was literally buzzing with excitement as new collections debuted, boutiques opened across the region, and events were held to celebrate the last month of the New Year. Ohlala! was very much caught up in the action, also travelling across the globe to bring you exclusive stories. Invited to the McLaren Headquarters and Production Centre in Woking, Surrey, England, we toured the outstanding factory, home of one of the world’s leading F1 teams and the McLaren Automotive supercars, interviewing women behind the scenes, and testing the superb McLaren 12C Spider — what an exhilarating experience! Read all about it in our Women in Power interview. In Qatar at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, Ohlala! caught up with screen legend, Robert De Niro, who was stopping over in the Middle East to launch his latest film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’. In our Celebrity Scoop he reveals his acting philosophy, approach to making movies and latest project in the pipeline. Heading on to Dubai we were invited, not only for an exclusive fashion show of Tory Burch’s Spring 2013 collection, but also to talk to the eclectic American designer for our Fashion interview. Tory’s style combines classic silhouettes with unique touches, inspired by the many cultures she encounters on her travels. Still in Dubai and at a soiree in the Cabana, The Address Dubai Mall, we were introduced to the stunning Jimmy Choo Cruise 2013 collection and the ‘Choo 24:7 Stylemakers’ where we took part in a super fun photo booth activity, modelling our favourite Jimmy Choo shoes and bags — a woman’s dream event, featured in our Society pages. Ohlala! was also invited to a preview of the beautiful Salvatore Ferragamo Spring Summer 2013 collection at Grosvenor House, Dubai, then treated to a sublime dinner in the Siddarth Lounge by Buddha Bar, with an exclusive Moet & Chandon after-party at the Royal Mirage. Here’s looking forward to a happy and prosperous 2013 where Ohlala! continues to offer you the very best stories, fashion and exclusive interviews the region, and the globe, has to offer. Thanks go out to our loyal readers and clients, without which this would not be possible. Bonne année from the Ohlala! team. Happy New Year!
Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris 2
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Fearless F as
hion with
The Women Behind McLaren
Tory Burc h
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14 STYLE
Woman in Power
Celebrity Scoop
Fashion of the Stars
The Women Behind McLaren
Screen Legend Wows Fans
Take some inspiration
14 from celebrities to jazz up your winter look.
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Ohlala! were invited to the
18 McLaren Headquarters and
Production Centre in England, home of one of the world’s leading F1 teams and McLaren Automotive, which creates some of the most superb supercars on earth. Kirsty Edwards-Harris gets the VIP tour, the lowdown for women buyers in the region, as well as interviewing the gifted women behind the scenes, and of course, experiencing the stunning McLaren 12C Spider.
Ohlala! I January 2013 I www.ohlala-magazine.com
Stopping over in the
24 Middle East to launch
his latest film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, Robert De Niro reveals his acting philosophy, his approach to making movies and his latest project in the pipeline, to a select crowd of guests at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
Art Festival At A l A a l i nd
Shopping Complex
17 - 25 Jan 2013 ART | MUSIC | FOOD
www.alaaliartfest.com
watch art live!
www.alaaliartfest.tv
Contact : 17 007270 / 17 581000, E-mail: info@alaaliartfest.com
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28 FASHION
FASHION Interview
MOTORING
Comme Une Fille
Fearless Fashion
Diva Drives
Ohlala! highlights the
28 chicest styles to keep
you on trend for the winter season — C’est Manifique!
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Ohlala! Magazine was invited
36 to the One&Only Royal
Mirage, Dubai, to interview the eclectic but classic American designer, Tory Burch. Kirsty Edwards-Harris chats with her about her latest collections, and ever-increasing popularity.
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Jaguar — another iconic
50 British car brand that by the name alone evokes ideas of sportiness, grandeur and a luxurious lifestyle.
Publisher & Chairman John Hughes Chief Operations Officer Rami Khalil
Publishing Director Edward Smith
Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
Sales & Marketing Director Leslie Garduque
Deputy Editor Zara de Haldevang
Sales & Marketing Managers Ibis Perea
Editorial Assistant Karina Lazarraga
Sales Executive Pauline Marcombe
Editor-at-Large Ben Whittaker
Administration Executive Aniyan Varghese
Art Director Syed Muhammed Raihan
Sales & Distribution Coordinator Sheree Lou Cabonce
Graphic Designer Rashed Bindaina Website Designer & Developer Ammar Ali
Accountants Gigimon Thankachen Praveen Alexander
Photographer Shobin
Distribution Team Jayapragash Ganesan Rajesh Abdul Kadar
Feature Contributors Giovanni Rozan Ahmed Sari Mabire Fashion Contributors Blanka Montenegro Debi Mendez Photography Contributors Angel Mallari @ Scene Stealer photo George Mathew
Printing Press Union Press Distribution Bahrain – Al Hilal Qatar – Dar Al Sharq www.ohlala-magazine.com Enquiries Editorial: editor@ohlala-magazine.com Advertising: info@ohlala-magazine.com General: admin@ohlala-magazine.com Telephone: (Bahrain) +973 1721 6099 (Qatar) +974 3308 3071 Postal Address: Ohlala! Magazine, The Nans Group, P O BOX 30378, Budaiya, Kingdom of Bahrain No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, FACT M.E. Publishing and all of its publications cannot accept legal responsibility for any error, content or omissions.
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Moda Mall, East Tower, Bahrain World Trade Center, Tel: (+973) 1720 0070 Fax: (+973) 1720 0080 Sofitel Luxury Hotel, ladies salon: (+973) 1361 1188, Gents Salon: (+973) 1361 1199, Hamala: (+973) 1761 1188
STYLE
TIPS, TRICKS & TRENDS
The beginning of a New Year is the perfect time to take on a new look. When will you be heading to the boutiques to indulge?
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STYLE
Fearless Fashion
Why not have fun with fashion in the New Year and go for bravado colours, patterns and volume. We’re loving this cute look in eye-popping shades from the Marc Jacobs Resort 2013 collection. Check out the funky platforms with gumball-sized rhinestones — magic!
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The HOT List
Tantilising Jewels
Adorn yourself with this exquisite pair of white and pink Fancy Intense Pink Pear-Shaped diamond earrings, meticulously hand-crafted in platinum and 18 karat rose gold by Leviev — go on, you know you’re worth it.
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Alluring Sophistication
If you need an excuse for a suave party, then this stunning, red lace jaquard organza strapless gown from the Carolina Herrera Resort collection is most certainly it! Book the venue, invite all your friends, and become the belle of the ball.
Investment Buy
Every woman must have a Hermes bag in her collection. This Hermes Double Sens Bag is the latest to grace the boutiques. A reversible and practical multi-purpose tote in Clemence-Bull Calfskin, it can hold almost anything, and is available in a range of different colour combinations.
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STYLE
Contemporary Silhouette Tod’s D Bag Luxury is sure to be the talking point of every stylish ensemble.
For the new season, the Tod’s bag collection widens with new shapes, where the high quality is expressed in new models, with precious materials and in different colours. The luxury of quality is an aesthetic and functional pleasure.
The D Bag is soft, with a handcut finish and a contemporary silhouette ranging in precious tie-and-dye crocodile and calf skin with bright sheepskin details, or more rectangular in coloured soft calfskin and sheepskin.
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The iconic D Bag Luxury, an evolution of the classic D Bag in a super-luxurious hide, features a full leather lining. Created with the highest levels of craftsmanship and technical expertise and in the most beautiful leathers.
If you want to turn heads this season, then opt for this iconic D Bag Luxury in opulent tie-anddye crocodile skin — sumptuous and exclusive — a must-have trendsetting piece for those who want to make a statement.
STYLE
Fashion of theStars Take some inspiration from celebrities to jazz up your winter look. ce of looks the essen ring o ej B e ic én ér B is Vuitton Sp style in this Lou ivory and ecru Summer 2013 quarter-sleeve minichecked, three- ulaire’ premiere. the dress at the ‘Pop tress jazzes up The French acred, suede Christian look with hot ps, a silver crystalLouboutin pumutch and Anna Rivka embellished cl ess is best suited for jewels. This dr aller upper body, and those with a smng a little tummy. is g reat for hidi
Bérénice Bejo Jessica Biel
Ch Flawsome anel Iman attended B ‘T Tzone’ in all for the Tyra Ba he nk N ew York. looks stun The modes n in g l in neck even ing dress, this long halterwith a fro and a pyth tones of b on printed-motif nt slit in the Salvatore lush and nude, from Ferragam o Resor the collecti look with on. She complement 2013 earrings, a Amrapali diamon ts the d sna n em and nude bellished gold clutcke pumps. W h wearing s e’d killer heelome strappy sandalssuggest to carry th w e look off ith a well. Image by G ettyimage
s
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Chanel Im
an
understated, Dressing in an mble while casual chic enseomoting her in New York pr cock’, Jessica new film ‘Hitchnew it-bag, Biel sports the ag in dark TOD’S Miky B d gorgeous g rey leather, an Gommini limited-editionsequined loafers Ricamo spray The actress in black suede. ese with funky chose to pair thousers and a black leather trat. This is a simple g rey cosporting out g reat look for n during the and about tow cooler months.
Art & Culture
Creative Pursuits An unquenchable thirst for artistic adventures has taken Frances Stafford on fascinating journeys she had never even dreamed of — Bahrain being one. Ohlala!’s Karina Lazarraga talks to her about creative past, present and future. Images by George Mathew
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ith a handful of “serious dreams” that she set her eyes on from early in life, Frances Stafford initially aimed at focusing on more “careeroriented goals as a child.” She tells Ohlala!, “I swayed between countless interdisciplinary interests ranging from norms like palaeontology to wanting to work for Greenpeace. Cliché I know, but I was always keen on adventure and investigation.” Her quest for exciting challenges in life has driven Frances’ perennial interest in the arts at the forefront of her endeavours. “I think my mind has always thought in a visual language over its tactile or auditory counterparts. I was always drawn to aesthetics — how things looked and how they could make you feel. I was lucky, however, to have the resources as a child to explore different media and my environment,” Frances shares. Growing up in Canada near a farm also greatly helped to cultivate her imagination. “I noticed art becoming a sort of therapy for me in high school. I could decompress with fine art — alone for hours in the studio or at my kitchen table, and totally express myself in drama,” she tells us. Frances considers herself lucky to have a grandfather who thought of himself “as a sort of documentary filmmaker with his ‘home movies’ and so I was always around a video camera — where life was captured in a way that removed it from ‘real’ life and made it something more fantastic.” It was only natural for Frances to eventually immerse herself in writing screenplays. Of her personal journey in this field, she describes her imagination as being very inventive. “I’m easily affected by my environments and I am perceptive in general. When I travel I try to absorb as much as I can and usually need an outlet to express what I experience. “Writing worked out perfectly in that regard. I could do all the research and learn all the subtleties that blended nicely with plot and character. It helped to be directed brilliantly by Elbe Stevens who ‘discovered me’. “I was invited to his birthday party and because it was last minute and I didn’t really know him or have a gift ready, I drew a quick sketch of him from an image on his website. He was wearing an odd costume that was the opposite of who he really was as a man and he tells me he was so shocked that I had managed to capture the essence of the image of a few lines that his attention was drawn to me.
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“I started with him by designing a sculpture for one of his short films and then he realised I had a greater talent in storytelling.” Frances describes her working experience with Elbe Stevens as being odd. “It was a complete change from the days where I would do a million and one things at a time. Now I had to focus on writing and that was all I did — all day, every day, for the better part of a year. Even when we travelled there was no time to really enjoy leisure activities. “I am so thankful for the lessons I learned on how to focus and be serious about something you are good at and believe in. I would say that I owe much of my work ethic now to Elbe. He was very distanced from the frivolities of life, perhaps because of his Dutch nature, and serious about the work that had to be done. I learned that if you have goals, you need to organise and plan, have a routine and stay focused, stay in the moment and not be distracted,” Frances tells us of her experience. The artistic tutelage Frances has received has proven to be an asset for her. Being the Senior Exhibition Specialist at the Ministry of Culture, Frances is responsible for a range of administrative duties, from program planning, curating, designing, implementing and bringing exhibitions, through to working with the media and the public, as well as Public Relations duties. Other artistic pursuits have seen Frances participate in various local exhibitions. Quite recently, she was part of a group exhibition dubbed, ‘If Walls Could Talk’ curated by Yasmin Sharabi at the BFH Fine Art Gallery. The theme allowed different contemporary artists to “explore the defining characteristics of ‘walls’ from structural, theoretical and philosophical perspectives”. Frances sold many of her works there, which surprised her due to the noncommercial nature of them. One specifically, a sculpture created from a large English dictionary with the map of Bahrain cut into it and a mirror inside the remaining void, “seemed to intrigue people as they questioned me about it. I called it The Island/The IS-Land and it was part of the larger series: English as a First/ Second Language. “The purchases of my work impressed me, as I truly didn’t think there would be a market for them. I can guess that the Bahraini audience is becoming more accustomed to works that may be outside of the norm. This is great for the development of the Bahrain art scene as a whole. When mindsets are widened, there is more room for invention and creativity, which leads to progress.” Frances has other projects lined up including a show at World Beat Fitness Centre Café Gallery in September 2013. She is also setting her sights on some personal projects, as well as getting into film. “I think it’s a better medium for me,” she adds. For aspiring artists, her advice is to, “Read as much as you can. Look at things as much as you can. Listen as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to get dirty or step outside of your comfort zone. It’s ok to ask for help or be inspired by others, as long as you try to be conscious of your actions. Always question the world around you. Question your senses and the way you think. Nothing can be proved for very long before it changes.” For information, contact Frances Stafford at fstafford77@gmail.com 17
Woman in Power “McLaren Special Operations is responsible for the bespoke and individual requests of customers and acts in the same way as a Haute Couture fashion house.” ~ Mark Harrison
The Women Behind McLaren
Ohlala! were invited to the McLaren Headquarters and Production Centre in England, home of one of the world’s leading F1 teams and McLaren Automotive, which creates some of the most superb supercars on earth. Kirsty Edwards-Harris gets the VIP tour, the lowdown for women buyers in the region, as well as interviewing the gifted women behind the scenes, and of course, experiencing the stunning McLaren 12C Spider. 18
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et by a lake in the picturesque countryside of Woking, Surrey, the McLaren factory is certainly a remarkable sight. Boasting 32,000-square-metres, the hightech, British manufacturing facility of luxury, highperformance sports cars is as rich in history as it is pioneering technology. If you are lucky enough to be invited for a tour, you’ll be walked through time, viewing an impressive collection of cars, including New Zealander Bruce McLaren’s Austin 7 Ulster, which at the age of 14 Bruce entered into a local hill climb competition in 1952, showing promise as both a driver and an engineer. A true competitor Bruce went on to excel at innovating and developing racing cars, which led to the founding of his own company in 1963, Bruce McLaren Motor Racing. In 1964 Bruce and his small team built the first true McLaren sports car. 1967 saw the start of one of the most dominant episodes in motorsport history with McLaren winning 37 of 43 races, including 19 one-twos between 1967 and 1971. After a slight slump, in 1980 McLaren merged with Ron Dennis’ Project 4 Racing team bringing, not only new drive and ambition to the famous team, but a skilled designer, John Barnard. This led to McLaren pioneering the use of carbon fibre in motor racing with its new car, the MP4/1, revolutionising racing car construction. After discussions on how to harness McLaren’s technical prowess in order to develop its future direction, in 1989 the new company McLaren Cars was born. The carbon chassis was introduced in the McLaren F1 road car in 1993, and McLaren Automotive launched the Production Centre in 2011. With the McLaren factory’s walkway filled with prized trophies from races across the globe, a visual sign of their victorious past, the company’s motto ‘to win races’ rings loud and clear. It’s a constant reminder to each member of the 800 plus team, that they are an integral part of McLaren’s past, present and future, part of a winning team. This winning team is not just about races, the McLaren vision of being the very best extends to all areas of their expertise, with McLaren Automotive’s technologically advanced supercars and exclusive events, as well as projects by McLaren Applied Technologies. McLaren has gone from strength-to-strength across the globe and has a dominant present throughout the Middle East with highly
qualified and experienced retailers. These are located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where McLaren’s main shareholder is Mumtalakat, then also in Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A luxurious, high-performance sports car, the 12C Spider combines groundbreaking technology and superb handling, with a timeless, elegant design — the perfect package. If the car’s beauty doesn’t sell it for you, the exciting buzz of the drive — with the feel of a race car on the road — most certainly will. After being taken out on the test track by a professional racing car driver and reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on the bends, I’m without a doubt adding the McLaren 12C Spider to my dream car wish list. In Volcano Orange please — who’s buying?
MARK HARRISON, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE Are women offered any special incentives for buying a McLaren? Mark Harrison. Apart from the benefit of being seen at the wheel of what we consider to be the most elegant and comfortable highperformance sports car in the world? We don’t define our customers by gender, but just by their love of such a car. Most important for McLaren Automotive is that we give customers the experience we promised when first announcing our plans to build sports cars for the road. Exclusive, high quality events and experiences for customers, for example, act as an incentive, but more importantly strengthens our relationship with them. We organise these events to appeal to men and women in the market for luxury cars. Consistently staying true to our principles is how we will achieve long-term success. This includes ensuring that our sports cars performance, usability and quality is the best in the class, that we are more exclusive by building fewer cars, and by utilising our Formula 1 know-how and expertise. What is the percentage of women buyers in the region in relation to overall regional sales figures and in relation to women buyers globally? MH. We believe that the female contingent of supercar owners in the Middle East is proportionately higher than in other markets around the world. And, since more cars have started to appear on the roads in the region, interest from women has increased. We even had a young lady whose mother did a test drive, then, having felt as comfortable in the 12C as in her own car within ten minutes,
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Woman in Power was just near my home and we all walked over to meet the drivers. I was only six but I think that’s where my initial interest in motorsport came from. My uncles were also very much into cars. They owned and rebuilt classic and vintage sports cars, such as Maseratis, Alfas, Jaguars and Ferraris. Is that where you think your passion for cars comes from? JO. The speed and noise all came across as very exciting. With motorsport it’s about taking that car and pushing it to its limits, combined with intelligent designs and technologies hidden from sight, whilst still looking amazing, helping the car achieve its potential. The advertising of cars on TV also appealed to me; their sleek designs, how they were portrayed and marketed.
What attracted you to the F1? JO. It had always been in the background but I never really thought about it as a career avenue until I saw an F1 car on show at a shopping centre. I was 14 at the time, and I turned to my mum and told her that it was what I wanted to be involved in. I had only ever seen F1 cars on TV and to seeing it in the flesh was amazing, how immense and beautiful it looked close up. I love art and science and it was an artistic piece of work, yet I knew that every shape on it was designed with a purpose, with clever science and engineering underneath the bodywork. The fact that F1 is a global sport with international recognition also appealed to me. I knew that F1 was the right career path and I wanted to be a part of a team that designed such beautifully engineered vehicles.
Mark Harrison
immediately persuaded her daughter to buy the car. This is because the 12C has a superior level of usability and comfort for a high performance sports car.
What type of woman buys a McLaren? MH. Women customers of the 12C, much like their male counterparts, have owned or are existing owners of high performance sports cars and are seeking something that offers more than a fast car with a loud engine. Her car should fit into her lifestyle and reflect her character. This can be achieved with extensive, standard personalisation options available on the 12C and recently launched 12C Spider; anything is possible through McLaren Special Operations (MSO). This part of the business is responsible for the bespoke and individual requests of customers and acts in the same way as a Haute Couture fashion house. This is one reason why McLaren retailers in the region are looking at their businesses in a more targeted way than would be expected. For example, our retailer in Bahrain and our principal shareholder there, Mumtalakat, have worked very closely to develop a landmark showroom at the Moda Mall luxury fashion outlet. Clearly, this will draw many more prospective women customers to look at a McLaren, than if the showroom had been on a typical strip of car lots. JENNI OAKHAM CENG, FRONT TEAM NO.1 DESIGN ENGINEER – AERODYNAMICS, MCLAREN RACING LIMITED Growing up, were you immersed in the motoring world? Jenni Oakham. My family have always been interested in motorsport and cars, and my parents would often watch Formula 1. I was also raised in South Africa where there were many motorsport events. As a child, I lived within earshot of Killarney Race Circuit in Cape Town, but my first real experience of motorsport was the Paris Le Cap Rally in 1992 that passed by my house. The final stop for all the vehicles 20
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Why McLaren? JO. McLaren have always been one of the top teams. When I decided I definitely wanted to work in F1 all my schoolwork was F1 orientated, from artwork that was of F1 cars and motorsport, to physics coursework projects on motorsport materials, like carbon fibre etc. When it came to doing my thesis for my master’s degree, I was delighted to be accepted by McLaren to do mine with them. McLaren are not just a race team but a global brand. They excel in racing and F1 but are also involved, and do well in, many other business areas, from McLaren Automotive and their new sports cars to McLaren Applied Technologies and their work with hospitals and other sports. They are a business that wants to excel in all areas, no matter what the field, and that’s attractive because I also want to do well in everything I set out to do.
Can you tell us more about your role? JO. My role is as a design engineer within the aerodynamics department, which means that I work on the development of all the aerodynamic components to improve our cars' performance. That’s basically everything you can see on the car, like the bodywork, front
“With motorsport it's about taking that car and pushing it to its limits, combined with intelligent designs and technology, whilst still looking amazing. I love that I work at the pinnacle of engineering.” ~ Jenni Oakham
and rear wings etc. We have a wind tunnel model that is a 60-percent scaled down model of the race car, that we design different components for and test to develop certain areas. I currently work in the front team as a No.1 designer concentrating on areas at the front of the car, such as front wing, nose, front suspension etc, but I also work on the rest of the car when required. Why is your role important to McLaren? JO. Aerodynamics is one of the most important areas for improving the performance of a Formula 1 car. The study of it influences the way a car cuts through the air, aiming to reduce its drag (which slows a car down) while also adding downforce (which helps a car grip better to the road, therefore increasing speed, particularly around corners). Updates are being introduced continuously for gains as small as hundredths of a second per lap. We are competing with many other teams for the top spot and therefore our aerodynamic performance needs to be one of the best, if not the best, on the grid.
What is the most exciting element of working with McLaren? JO. Apart from the buzz of working in such a fast paced and competitive environment, I also find it exciting to watch the races and seeing components on the race car that I have designed, or been involved with the development of, on race tracks around the world for the entertainment of millions of people. It’s also great to work with so many like-minded people who are brilliant at what they do. Walking past our many trophies every day is a constant reminder of the successes of McLaren. To work in F1 and know that ideas introduced such as KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) can make their way to the Automotive sector onto cars that people drive. I love that I work at the pinnacle of engineering and that I have achieved what I set out to do so many years ago, being
Jenni Oakham, Anna-Louise Clough & Kirsty Edwards-Harris
part of a winning team, who have values I believe in. It has been an honour and a pleasure to work here and I can only thank McLaren for the opportunities they have offered me so far. How does McLaren give back to society? JO. They are involved with many things that give back to society, such as the McLaren Manufacturing Challenge, which allows school children to see what’s involved in high-tech engineering. I’m a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) ambassador, which means I go to schools or events to speak to the younger generation about what it is like to work in engineering and how fascinating it can be. It’s great that McLaren supports this. We also have companies like McLaren Applied Technologies that are working on projects that help many industries, such as hospitals etc., and not just racing.
What challenges have you faced being in a male dominated industry? JO. My working environment is very professional and it's not like how people might have envisioned it 20 years ago where there were not that many women in engineering. Whether or not you are being judged because you are a woman, I think being a woman, we always try doubly hard because we want to prove that we can do it just as well as anyone else. I’ve recently just become a chartered engineer, and that’s especially important to me, as it means that I meet the professional competences of the Engineering Council of the UK, which is recognised internationally and shows others that I take my profession seriously and that I am competent at what I do.
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Woman in Power passions, and hopefully end up with a job that I enjoy. Namely art and design, then I found out about the automotive course at Coventry and thought, 'Brilliant, let’s give it a go' and the rest is history.
Why McLaren? AC. I’ve always had high aspirations and wanted to work for the best. McLaren really is an amazing company; for the motorsport side, then to step into the road car field. There’s obviously the history of the F1 road car, which is ingrained in me as a child, then to be part of that, taking an even bigger step into that arena is unbelievable. McLaren have achieved so much in such little time and it's just getting better and better. The scope for what I do in colour and materials is fantastic. We’ve got production, McLaren Special Operations for bespoke clients, and then we’ve got the facilities where we can experiment and play with other technologies as well, so that’s really something. It keeps a smile on my face.
What is special about McLaren that appeals to women? JO. In the last few years McLaren have developed themselves as more of a brand. As well as their amazing facilities and fantastic technology, they do seem to dive into lots of areas that appeal to many more people and not just F1 fans. For example, we have a Merchandise Shop selling items from fashion to sports shoes, we have sponsors with Hugo Boss etc. and that appeals to the wider market. What are your aspirations for the future? JO. Now that I have gained my chartered engineer status, I hope to continue learning and developing as an engineer as well as promoting it to the younger generation. Hopefully I act as a role model for other women to see that engineering is not entirely dominated by men. Eventually I’d like to move into management and keep on track with a winning team. What advice can you offer to women who are interested in working in your field? JO. Firstly you must believe in yourself and your dreams, then just go for it, hold your head up high and it will happen. There are hurdles to jump and bridges to cross, but if you have the determination you will get there! Sometimes I think younger women may not be interested in the field of engineering because they have old-fashioned views that perhaps it’s a career just for men, or that it's dangerous and dirty — this couldn’t be further from the truth. An engineer has so much potential and different career avenues available. Everything that surrounds you in daily life has been engineered in one way or another, from cars to hairdryers. If you’re a woman that loves a challenge, then engineering is for you!
ANNA-LOUISE CLOUGH, COLOUR & MATERIAL DESIGNER, MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE Where does your passion for motoring originate? Anna-Louise Clough. It’s definitely from a young age. I got taken to a Grand Prix at Brands Hatch and also remember going to Silverstone. I still get excited with the smells and noise, and when you see the cars speeding past you — it’s the whole atmosphere — just a fantastic feeling. My dad was always into motor racing and the Grand Prix was on the TV or touring car, or rally car. What these machines get put through, the people behind the wheel and the teams behind them — it’s amazing. At school I was always art and design based. When thinking about what to do as a degree, I was keen that I wanted to combine my two 22
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What do you enjoy most about your role? AC. Definitely the paint mixing side of it. That’s where you can really see things happening right in front of you, it’s like bucket chemistry. There’s a fantastic paint shop here with a mixing room, and a really talented bunch of technicians. We can talk about a brief, or about a colour that might be suitable for a particular car, or look at what’s lacking in the current colour palette and how we can move existing shades forward, or if there are any requests coming through that we hear from the dealership. Maybe talk about if it’s a bright green, how it would be a McLaren Green. We start off with an aluminium base of flakes and then we’ll start adding colours into that and see how everything reacts. We look at the colour in its raw liquid paint form, although with some you don’t know what you’re going to get until you’ve painted and lacquered it. Some colours are created by following a strict formulation, whereas others are more experimental. It's great to get the overalls on and do some mixing and then have them sprayed onto 6X4 aluminium plaques. Then we’ll paint them onto a shape to see how the colour lands as the light hits it, as it is going on a three-dimensional form. We may like only one of five shades, but then that amazing one can just wipe everything else off the table, so it's well worth it.
What is it like working in such a male dominated industry? AC. There were 90 plus people in our first year in the automotive course in Coventry, and only two women, so any preparation for a male environment all happened quite early on. Only maybe when other people have brought it up have I thought, 'Oh gosh I'm surrounded', but it didn’t cross my mind at the time. I was always focused on getting good grades, working hard and having fun. I have never found it intimidating; we’re all professionals working towards the same goal. It definitely shouldn’t cause anybody concern if they’re thinking of doing a similar thing in a very male environment. If anything, I’ve got lots of adopted fathers and brothers all keeping an eye out for me, and working in colour and materials does tend to have a female bias. What qualities have got you where you are today? AC. Tenacity — to keep going on ideas, even if they look as though they might not work, as they might produce other successful ideas. A sense of humour is also key, and then to really roll your sleeves up and get on with the job.
What advice would you give to women wanting to get into your field? AC. Definitely get in touch with as many car companies as you can to get as much experience as possible. People have come in and shadowed me for just one day and still managed to get a good grasp of what goes on. Make the most of any opportunity; getting into everything, always asking to do more, and experiencing as many different aspects, whether it's engineering, or aerodynamics or clay modeling and sculpting. If you can find a degree course that is related to the topic then that’s fantastic. Most people in my area have come from a textiles background rather than an automotive design background like me.
Whatever your area is, if you work hard you’ll get there, really you will, that’s what I’ve learnt and that’s what I’ve seen other people do. What do you think it is about McLaren road cars that appeal to women? AC. I’m a petrol head, so there’s that side of things, but essentially the McLaren road car design has a timeless elegance, especially when you look at the history of the F1, the road car and how much longevity that design has had. The McLaren 12C Spider is very appealing. When we went to the track at Dunsfold I just slipped in behind the wheel, it was a piece of cake to drive and it was great fun too. McLaren’s appeal stems from the ability to purchase something that’s really timeless that you can tailor to your desire, especially with what we do here with the colour and materials. The main thing for me was just how easy it was to drive off in one. It’s just a shame I don’t get to do it more often!
In what ways can people custom-design their car so it becomes bespoke? AC. We have a very broad range of options to work with, such as a palette 17 different standard colours available in the dealership. MSO is answering anything that’s missing for a particular buyer, for example, their favourite colour. We can work through the dealership, arrange consultations, or take a written brief. We’ll start working up images and colours, discuss with the client, send samples, suggest threads, suggest leathers, or wheel colours. It starts a relationship and it’s a nice thing to carry all the way through until they receive their car, whether it's here or in their home. It’s great when people can come and have a tour of the production line; I think that helps people make up their mind what combinations to have. There’s a lot to see, a bit like a chocolate box, it's 'Where do you start?' You can use the configurator (on computer) to help you decide, there’s so much choice out there, have some fun and enjoy it, especially when you can take the roof down — it's awesome fun. In what way do you think car design is linked to fashion? AC. From a colour and materials point of view, it is great to see in clothing how the different materials and colours combine, as well as the detailing and stitching. We often go up to central London and to the West End stores. There are beautiful colour and textiles
in fashion, and we’re all like sponges, absorbing everything we see. With fashion it’s on something that moves, which is what cars do. What impressions will that colour give as it goes past? You want the car to turn heads, as you want an outfit to. People also interact with fashion, as you do with this vehicle; always touching things, so there’s a relationship between the two. On the couture side of things when you can see interesting combinations of colours, textures and shapes — it’s almost like making a concept car where you’ve got a clean sheet and you can really create from the ground up, it’s amazing. It’s also interesting to see how people bring in personal items and how they relate to them. We’ve had customers wanting to match the colour of their car with their clothing. It’s great when you’ve cracked it and they are really happy.
“McLaren's appeal stems from the ability to purchase something that's really timeless, which you can tailor to your desire. There's so much choice out there, have some fun and enjoy it, especially when you can take the roof down — it's awesome fun.” ~ Anna-
Louise Clough
The region has a network of highly qualified and experienced McLaren retailers, located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Facebook: www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive Twitter: www.twitter.com/McLarenAuto You Tube: www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv 23
Celebrity Scoop
“Some actors know instinctively what to do, but it’s got to have meaning, whether you instinctively know how to do it or not.”
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Screen Legend Wows Fans Stopping over in the Middle East to launch his latest film ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, Robert De Niro reveals his acting philosophy, his approach to making movies and his latest project in the pipeline, to a select crowd of guests at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival.
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Celebrity Scoop
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t is hard to say what De Niro is best known for. Ask anyone and they’ll probably have their own favourite De Niro role. ‘The Godfather II’, ‘Raging Bull’ and ‘Taxi Driver’ are a few that he’s famous for, but for a man who has starred in over 80 films over the past 47 years, there have been a lot of “stand out” moments. Widely considered the greatest actor of his generation, and one of the best living actors on earth, De Niro has a simple philosophy on acting. “My feeling personally is that whatever works, works. All actors have their own way of working, whatever can personalise or add meaning for them,” he says, adding that, “some actors know instinctively what to do, but it’s got to have meaning, whether you instinctively know how to do it or not.” Speaking about working with different directors, De Niro has a lot of praise for his long-term friend and contemporary, Martin Scorsese, who directed many of the films De Niro is so famous for including ‘Mean Streets’, ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Cape Fear’, and ‘The Deer Hunter’ to name but a few. “Marty just left it up to the actor, and if it didn’t work he would either edit it, or he would direct it differently. For example, we would have a conversation about how to do it, about likening the experience of the character to something you were familiar with. “The most important thing with a director is that they don’t make you feel that you are doing it wrong. I have had very few experiences with a director where they do that. But if you are working with people who have preconceived ideas about a scene and they keep doing it, insisting or encouraging you to do it in a way you don’t feel comfortable with, then you start to shut down. The excitement, the joy, comes from working with someone who lets you do it how you feel it, then they offer guidance when it’s necessary. “Francis Ford Coppola was terrific. Any director that I have worked with I have had good results with. But you always have to have that permissive feel about the relationship.” De Niro shares with Ohlala! that he will happily consider a project, even if he might not initially like the idea, he will still “take the offer seriously. The first thing I like to do is to have a read through with the writer and director to get feedback about it. There’s no downside to that, you always get something out of it, even if you don’t want to move forward with it, I am comfortable with that. Let’s just see it as a discovery process.” Having made his directorial debut in 1993, with ‘A Bronx Tale’, then later directed ‘The Good Shepherd’ in 2006, the 69-year-old film star believes that actors who have directed before are generally “more sensitive”. De Niro goes on to say, “When you have directed a movie, you really want everybody to help and support you and watch your back. Everybody has a role to play and a function, and it’s all part of the many moving parts that come together to make this one thing.” With so many roles under his belt, De Niro tell us it’s “hard to choose” a favourite. “It’s like asking me to choose between my children. Each role has different problems and demands. ‘Raging Bull’ was hard on one level, ‘The Deer Hunter’ on another, but ‘Awakenings’ was also challenging on a physical level.” Even at 69, De Niro doesn’t show signs of slowing down. There is still a hunger about him to take on new roles and try out new things. Having taken part in four films already this year: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, ‘Freelancers’, ‘Red Lights’ and ‘Being Flynn’, he is already looking ahead to future projects. “I’m currently working on the Irishaman with Martin Scorsese; it’s going to have Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Steve Zaillian (screenwriter). But,” he confides, “it’s one thing to make a movie but you have to take it from the book and make the script, it could be a first time writer-director and I am all for that, but the first thing I want to see is the script because that’s the key to making it work.” 26
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“The most important thing with a director is that they don’t make you feel that you are doing it wrong. The excitement, the joy, comes from working with someone who lets you do it how you feel it.”
“When you have directed a movie, you really want everybody to help and support you and watch your back.” 27
Comme
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Ohlala! highlights the chicest styles to keep you on trend for the winter season — C’est Manifique!
Photographer I Angel Mallari @ Scene Stealer photo I am.creation@live.com Model I Sophie Dawson I diamond.al.t@hotmail.co.uk Hair Styling I Blanka Montenegro I montenegroblanka0@gmail.com Makeup Artist I Debi Mendez I www.artofdebimendez.com Photography Assistant I Absher @ Creative Design Fashion I Aigner, Ambrosia, Braccialini, Fairly, Faith Connexion, MCM, Orlandi Valentino, Pinko, Schutz ,Tiffany&Co ,Tsumori Chisato, Versace Jeans, Who’s Who.
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Sophie wears a top by Versace Jeans. 29
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Sophie wears a coat by Tsumori Chisato, Tiffany&Co sunglasses, and a MCM bag. 31
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Sophie wears a Fairly dress and coat, Tiffany & Co sunglasses, and a evening clutch by Ambrosia.
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Sophie wears leggings and a shirt by Pinko & black shoes by Sebastian. Accessories clockwise from left: brown Aigner handbag, black Orlandi Valentino handbag, MCM black handbag, blue clutch by Who’s Who, pink & yellow shoes by Schutz, black boots by Braccialini, & a black evening clutch by Ambrosia.
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FASHION
Fearless
Ohlala! Magazine was invited to the One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, to interview the eclectic but classic American designer, Tory Burch. Kirsty Edwards-Harris chats with her about her latest collections, and ever-increasing popularity.
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Tory Burch by Noa Griffel
Accessories Room
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aking the region by storm, Tory Burch boutiques are popping up all over the Middle East. Already available worldwide including Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai, the brand has exciting plans for expansion into Beirut, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Embodying the personal style and spirit of its CEO and designer Tory Burch, (who is as beautiful as she is stylish), the brand is luxury lifestyle defined by classic American sportswear with a touch of the eclectic. Inspired by many countries and cultures, Tory Burch collaborates with different artisans across the globe. A firm favourite of many celebrities (including Blake Lively, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyenth Paltrow and Julia Roberts), the award-winning Tory Burch has been warmly received throughout Arabia, for women embrace the fabulous textures, colours, and prints, which Tory is famous for. “Women here are fearless with fashion; they like to have fun with it and that’s what we try to do with our collections. We have a classic undertone but we are always trying to make it different and unique,” Tory tells us. What’s extra special about Tory Burch, is that the company does much more for women, other than creating distinctive fashion lines. The Tory Burch Foundation is one of the most important aspects of the company with the aim to “empower women and their families,” which Ohlala! thinks is pretty amazing.
“I didn’t always dream of becoming a designer — I was actually a tomboy growing up.”
Fall Winter 2012 Collection
What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Tory Burch. I didn’t always dream of becoming a designer — I was actually a tomboy growing up — but a week after college I started a career in fashion. I worked more on the business, PR and marketing side for over 15 years and my first attempt at designing was with our brand. I had worked for amazing people like Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang and Narciso Rodriguez at Loewe, absorbing different aspects of the fashion industry, but I didn’t have a design background. I gave it a shot and the company was about learning on the job. Which designers do you admire? TB. I admire a lot of different designers — Celine, Dries Van Noten, Prada, Balenciaga when Nicolas was there. Proenza Schouler — I love what Jack and Lazaro do. In terms of American fashion they are the most interesting at the moment. I’ve known them since they were 22, and they’re just so talented.
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FASHION What is the Tory Burch style? TB. Eclectic but classic and inspired by many countries and cultures. I love looking at how women dress when I travel and incorporating it into classic silhouettes.
What type of woman do you design for? TB. My design team and I create things we personally want to wear. It’s quite diverse. It’s about a woman who really appreciates fashion but is busy and doesn’t have a lot of time to worry about she wears. She wants to look chic and be quick about it. Your designs have been well received, why do you think they have become incredibly popular so quickly? TB. I’ve always loved designer clothing, but I wanted to create a collection where we put the most into the product and charge the least amount that we could. It was this idea of making beautiful things with a lot of nice detailing and great fits for a more accessible price. I think that resonated with women.
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You have won several awards for your fashion designs, which meant the most to you? TB. The CFDA for Accessory Designer of the Year. To be acknowledged by our peers was a huge honour for my team and me. I was quite surprised and my children were even more so. I came home, and they were little, and they said, “I can’t believe that you beat Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs!” I said, “Do you know who they are?” and they said, “No”. It was very cute. What is the inspiration behind your latest Fall Winter Collection? TB. It’s about a prim girl who is under the spell of the wrong kind of guy. Her style is classic but has a bit of an edge… a bit more sexy.
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Why are your designs popular in the Middle East? TB. I think women here embrace colour, texture and print and are somewhat fearless with fashion; they like to have fun with it and that’s what we try to do with our collections. We have a classic undertone but we are always trying to make it different and unique. I love seeing the collection on Middle Eastern women; it’s really exciting. It’s fun to see any woman walking down the street wearing it.
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TB Fall Winter 2012 Embellished Hair Clip
What trends can we see evolving throughout the Collection? TB. We did malachite — a beautiful colour green, which is a big trend. We also paired paper-thin leather skirts with a peplum leather jacket in slate blue. Hair accessories were a statement for us — jeweled pins tucked into slightly undone hair. Our framed handbags in tortoise and different fabrics are doing really well here in the Middle East, and also all over, which is exciting because they are a new style for us.
TB Fall Winter 2012 Hawthorn Pump in Tweed 2 Navy Bright Navy
What is the "must-buy" this season? TB. Our striped needlepoint framed bag.
What is your favourite piece from the collection? TB. I love our denim because it’s a great fit; we spent a lot of time perfecting the fabric and cuts. I saw a girl wearing one of our dresses last night — it’s a long-sleeve black dotted tulle gown with a beaded neck and green lining. It’s one of my favourite pieces and it looked so chic on her. We are working on more eveningwear and dressier pieces. It’s a little challenging to do at our price point, but it’s a challenge we love.
“I love seeing the collection on Middle Eastern women; it’s really exciting. It’s fun to see any woman walking down the street wearing it.”
Spring 2013 Collection
What piece encapsulates who you are as a designer? TB. I don’t think there is just one piece — to me it’s about the collection as a whole. We have been a lifestyle brand from the beginning, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, jewellery, small leather goods and accessories. Every season we want to tell a story and offer pieces for different aspects of women’s lives — things that make it easy to get dressed and walk out the door in the morning.
How have your designs evolved since your first collection? TB. We always want to stay true to our roots but push ourselves to come up with new, exciting concepts. It’s about making our collection relevant and elevated each season. I have to say I love some of the first silhouettes we ever did — and some of the first pieces are still our bestsellers — but now we are building on that and experimenting with new fabrics, fits, constructions and details. In what way have your own children inspired you? TB. My stepdaughters and my own boys keep me grounded and tell me about different things going on. My stepdaughters are really into fashion, and they have a great eye — they are always giving me their opinion and I love hearing their point of view.
Can you tell us how your inspirational trips have had an influence on your designs? TB. An incredible influence; all of our collections are inspired by travel in some way, whether it’s colours of the Amalfi Coast in our Resort 2013 collection or Moroccan slippers and woven details in the Spring 2013 collection. We are very much inspired by women
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FASHION around the world — we embrace all cultures and that’s something we spend a lot of time talking about when we design. We think about all women and what their needs are.
What trends can be seen throughout the Spring Summer Collection? TB. Yellow is an important colour for us — we did wheat print on shorts and wheat embroidery and beading on jackets and skirts. Tie-dye was also a key story — we partnered with women artisans from the Kindia region of Guinea. I met a woman a few weeks before the show and I said we would need 600 yards of tie-dye fabric. She literally got on a plane that afternoon and had three villages come together, and they tie-dyed all of the material we needed. It was amazing, and actually the men from the village made all the rings in our show too. It was last minute but it worked perfectly.
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From where do you source your materials and where are your collections created? TB. Sourcing is all over India, China, Japan, Italy, Peru, Turkey, Brazil and the Dominican Republic, depending on the design. We also do beautiful embroideries and beadwork out of India. We are looking at sourcing and diversifying with different artisans to keep their unique techniques alive.
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TB Ambrosia Sandal in Natural
Can you tell us about any bespoke pieces that you have created for celebrities? TB. We had an old tuxedo of my father’s that we remade for Kanye West for the Met Gala; we’ve created custom pieces for the First Lady; and Emily Blunt just wore a white tulle dress of ours for a green carpet challenge — she looked great. Custom designing is fun — it’s sort of new for us and we want to do more of it. Which celebrity would you most like to design for? TB. Cate Blanchett — I think she has amazing style. I hear she’s coming to Dubai in the next few weeks for the Dubai Film Festival.
Is there anything that you would like to add for our readers? TB. We are excited to launch a fragrance in September with Estee Lauder. It’s been a work in progress for a long time and was a fiveyear conversation with Estee Lauder. Hopefully at some point we’ll do watches and a sports line. I feel like we’re just beginning. The Tory Burch Foundation is one of the most important aspects of the company — our goal is to empower women and their families. The first programs are focused on microfinance and mentorship for women starting their own businesses. It is based in the US but we hope it becomes international. We did our first global event in Morocco with a woman named Rola Dashti, who is on the Middle East Parliament, and Egyptian and Moroccan women business owners. It was amazing. There are very entrepreneurial women in the Middle East. I was so impressed with everyone I met. They have great ideas, tenacity and ambition.
Resort 2013 Collection
“We are looking at sourcing and diversifying with different artisans to keep their unique techniques alive.”
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Beauty
WHAT'S HOT AND NOT
Beauty Buzz Dark Circles Be Gone!
The Eyes Have It
With three complementary shadows and an eye brightener, Bourjois’ Peek-a-Bright Eye Illuminating Kit lets you enhance your eyes with palette selections that are easy to apply. The kit includes a step-by-step lesson that shows you how to use the shades together like a pro.
Allergy tested, lightweight and oil free, it’s effective for all skin types and skin tones.
Dark under eye circles are a real concern for some, that’s why Clinique has introduced Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector. Its gentle formula is specifically designed to treat dark circles instantly and over time. Even better, its cooling tip applicator instantly helps to reinvigorate fatigued eyes.
Rouge Mentality
With a stunning new trio of satiny shades, the legendary Sephora Rouge line up of lipsticks is made to caress lips with a voluptuous, creamy texture: in hot-headed pink, mysterious purple and enchanting plum. So go on, pucker up!
Red Carpet Glamour
A chic, limited edition fragrance, Swarovski Edition by Swarovski, is the first in its collection of ultra-glamorous, limited-edition fragrances. With fruity floral notes, it is extremely feminine — with wild rose blossom and gardenia giving a light and sweet harmony with a slightly tangy edge.
“A radiant, captivating and moving composition with an irresistible power of seduction.”
So Scandalous!
Dare to show off your luscious, runway-ready lashes with Rimmel’s ScandalEyes Show Off Mascara. It’s Rimmel’s most scandalous defined volume, lift and length mascara yet. With model-perfect lashes that appear voluptuously full, flawlessly separated and seductively lifted, get ready to strike a pose!
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BEAUTY
Celebs’ Beauty Secrets
Most of these celebrities never go a day without their favourite “secret” beauty products. In between photo-shoots, photo calls, filming or just going out-andabout, they make sure they look their best all of the time.
Dr Hauschka’s Ro
se Day Cream
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Jessica Alba Jessica advocates eco-conscious products, such as Dr Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream to keep her skin looking radiant and youthful.
Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil
Sienna Miller This incredible lush product helps Sienna Miller relax and so will you once you try it.
Kate Beckinsale Kate keeps her skin supple by moisturising it with Natura Bisse’s Diamond Cream.
Natura Bisse’s Diamond Cream
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Get theLook
BEAUTY
The dark-haired English beauty surprised everyone when she debuted a new look recently. Emily Blunt now sports a lighter hair colour but also her choice in makeup has changed too. Ohlala! is loving her look, and why not ring the changes and try on a fresh new look for the New Year too! Here’s how to get Emily’s easy-does-it makeup style.
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Always start by prepping the skin with a good primer or serum. Don’t forget the eye area too. Start with La Mer’s Moisturising Soft Cream and Clinique All About Eyes Serum. La Mer’s Moisturising Soft Cream
To cr ea glow te a radia n l use a ike Emily t ’s, po bron wder and zer conto ur th duo to e che ek a You nd jaw lin s e. peach can cho ose a y pin apply k on th tone to Soleil Tan de C of th e apples hane e che l Pow Lumino eks. us B der ro
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Vamp up those eyes and trace them with an eye pencil in dark brown, blending the colour out from the edges. Apply some shimmer shade on the brow bone as well the lids and below the eyes.
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Bobbi Brown Eye Shimmer
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Get great-looking lashes by using a volumising mascara.
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BEAUTY
Revealing your inner beauty Guerlain’s international makeup artist, Gary Cooper, sits down for a one-to-one with Ohlala!’s Josie Hill, while touring the Middle East. Images by June Delgado@ www.facebook.com/JuneDelgadoPhotography
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“I
don’t like changing women, it makes them more vulnerable. It’s much more fascinating to reveal their beauty,” says Gary Cooper, quoting Guerlain’s Creative Director Olivier Echaudemaison. “You know it’s the truth," adds the 40-year-old while stopping by Salam stores at The Gate mall in Doha, Qatar, “makeup shouldn’t be about wearing a mask but truly enhancing what you have already got. And that is what I love about it.” For Gary, who has worked with the haute Parisian beauty house for years, his passion for the industry began when he was studying interior design in Cape Town, South Africa. “I just felt I had a certain attraction to beauty and fashion, and later when I was in London, I worked part time in the beauty department of Harrods. Since then I have worked with Givenchy, L’Oreal, Lancôme and now Guerlain.” Gary firmly believes in using good quality products but also, and essentially, in keeping a good skin care routine. He tells us, “There are a lot of women who want a quick fix, but it is not as simple as that. First of all you need to drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated, especially in this climate. But also, sun block, it is not enough to wear Factor 15, even the UV lights inside can cause skin damage, so wear a good level of protection on your face and neck especially. Then, take your makeup off. You would be surprised at how many women I meet who don’t do this. So you need to take it off at the end of the day, and to cleanse, tone and moisturise.” On applying makeup, Gary advises to, “Apply foundation so that it blends naturally with the skin, without a line, and go for natural shades and colours, which suit your skin tone.” Travelling around the Gulf Region giving professional makeovers with Guerlain, Gary says the best part of the job is meeting and talking to so many different people. “We have people that want a makeover, especially for a dinner party they are going to, or because they want to try out new products and get advice, which they can take away to use at home. “You get to know the different people sitting in your chair and that is what I like about it, the rapport between the customer and myself and to see the look on their face when we have finished.” Gary says his most memorable experience while working as a makeup artist was on a fashion shoot in a swimming pool with a model wearing a beautiful flowing gown, who was trying to keep her beautifully made-up face out of the water. It is certainly an exciting industry to work in, but for anyone considering taking a career in the beauty industry, don’t be fooled into thinking it is a piece of cake. “It is fun and not as rigid as other industries, that is true, but if you work hard you can go up the ladder and make a successful career out of it.”
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MOTORING
Diva Drives
Jaguar — another iconic British car brand that by the name alone evokes ideas of sportiness, grandeur and a luxurious lifestyle.
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Sari Mabire Diva Driver
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Jaguar XJ-L 2012 he Prime Minister of the UK also drives — or gets driven around — in a Jaguar XJ, albeit it’s the 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 and not the 3.0-litre V6 that Ohlala! got to drive. So how is the Jaguar XJ-L V6? Outside the XJ-L looks magnificent with strikingly modern design that appeals to all luxury car lovers; and the interior is just exquisite. The design is not only aesthetically pleasing but the craftsmanship and materials used are top-notch. Supple leather covers the seats as well as most of the dash and doors. Rich wood trim wraps around the interior and sophisticated chrome and piano-black trim with the ice-blue lighting decorate the cabin in an undeniably regal fashion. And of course, as with most cars in this segment, you can personalise your car to your liking with plenty of options to choose from. Another element that adds to the contemporary feel of this car is that instead of the traditional gauges the instrument panel is a large LCD screen, which adapts to different driving scenarios and in-use vehicle functions, for example navigation. Another modern aspect that I personally like very much is the Jaguar signature transmission control, not the traditional stick gearshift, but a rotary knob, which silently rises from the centre console when the ignition is pressed. Standard infotainment systems include a touchscreen interface, navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a 14-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, digital music storage and an iPod interface. Driving the XJ-L is delightful; it blends ride comfort and sportiness in perfect balance. The model we had is fitted with a 3.0-litre 238-horsepower V6 engine, taking the car from zero to 100-kilometres per hour in 8.7-seconds. Quite respectable for a car this size. Not fast enough for you? Then opt for the British Prime Minister’s choice of V8 and be plummeted in 4.9-seconds instead! The V6 is an agile car due to its lightweight aluminium chassis, adaptive suspension and communicative steering. With the Sport mode engaged you can have fun driving with the paddle shifts! Safety-wise, every Jaguar XJ 2012 comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction controls, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, active head restraints, reverse camera and ISOFIX child seat anchor points for rear seats. The car we drove also had the blind spot warning system, which is very handy in busy traffic. The L in XJ-L means long wheel base and this is one of the reasons why this is a great family car. There’s a lot of legroom for even the
tallest, long-legged teenagers and you have plenty of room to fit the childseat in comfort. The XJ-L also comes standard with four zone automatic climate control, manual rearside window sunblinds and electronic back window sunblinds, perfect for blocking the sun and allowing your baby to sleep comfortably; and also fantastic for those who desire privacy on the rear seats. The Jaguar XJ-L is full of character and a very desirable car for men, women and families alike. With the V6 engine, it is also incredible value for money; real indulgence with historically luxury pedigree marque. On a personal note, I would like to say a big thank you to the new general manager, Stephen Harris for the beautiful bouquet of roses!
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Travel
Sun & Snow Perhaps you’ve already been asking yourself, “Where to go this time?” for your winter escape. Head for the slopes or the sands… Wherever you wish to spend your holidays in 2013, Ohlala! have got it covered with these hip travel destinations.
Zürich Cosy Winter Afternoons…
Cold, snowy days are the perfect excuse to curl up by the fire with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. But, if you’re the adventurous type and love the outdoors even with trepid conditions, there are a myriad of winter activities that you and your fellow holidaymakers can enjoy. Marvel at the silence of snow-covered forests whilst crosscountry skiing in Zurich, or experience the stunningly-beautiful, almost mythical city of Prague.
Spectacular Zürich Usher in 2013 in the luxurious city of Zürich. It has plenty to offer: breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped Alps, rich cultural highlights, the finest of culinary experience, innumerable shopping opportunities, a pulsating nightlife and unforgettable wintery adventures. Transporting visitors conveniently via modern cable cars, you can head up to the Hoch-Ybrig region — its idyllic landscape is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. The entrancing Höllgrotten Baar — formed over thousands of years by calciferous springs, are stalactite caves, which are a magical underground kingdom; whilst the wildly romantic Lorze ravine — rock formations in multiple colour shades and mystical small lakes — truly captivate adults and children alike. You can choose to immerse yourself in culture with the city’s 50 plus museums, over 100 galleries, the Opera House, the Tonhalle Orchestra and the Swiss National Museum. Shopping is also a must-do activity, so be sure to check out international luxury brands on Bahnhofstrasse, in the picturesque Old Town and sophisticated Zürich labels in Zürich-West and Aussersihl. Prague: A Winter Secret Rich in culture, romance, music and history — albeit sometimes a bittersweet one, Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, oozes with winter charm. Located along the banks of the Vltava River in 52
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Image by Switzerland Torism the heart of Europe, Prague's medieval streets are awash in a sea of architectural masterpieces; its panoramic skyline, etched with venerable towers and spires of antiquated cathedrals, monasteries, convents, bridges and castles. The city is a mix of natural beauty and a myriad of architectural styles — Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque, making it a uniquely wonderful place to explore. Start your journey with The Mala Strana, or the ‘little quarter’ neighbourhood with its lively street musicians and vendors, as well as the ancient hilltop Prague Castle. Take a stroll at Petrin Hill, which is comprised of eight parks with trails for brisk afternoon walks. Head to the Old Town Square, with its shops, markets, cafes and horse-drawn wagons. Have a bit more fun, rent skates and take a whirl on the ice skating rinks erected right on the Square and around several venues in the city.
Prague
The Sunny Side…
Feeling the winter blues? Head off somewhere nice and toasty and celebrate 2013 with a splash. Loafing on a tropical beach shouldn’t be the only temptation for you. With plenty of activities that guarantee a memorable holiday, we recommend these sunny travel spots.
Glorious Bali Treat yourself to a relaxing beach holiday with a cultural twist. Bali offers these and more… Dubbed the ‘Ultimate Island’, it is a paradise of rolling rice paddies, tropical rainforest and sweeping beaches, topped with hulking volcanoes and beautiful natural attractions. Book a trip to Ubud — famous for its beautiful scenes of rice paddies involving subak (an ancient Balinese irrigation system) with the most splendid terraced landscapes located in Pejeng, Campuhan and Tegallalang. If the marine world is your playground, Amed, located in the island’s eastern shoreline, is an underwater playground that’s a favourite amongst divers. Take a breather from all your adventures, and book a ticket for one of Bali Agung’s theatrical art performances. A Balinese legend, the shows combine traditional and contemporary dance, modern puppetry and more.
Langkawi
Splendid Langkawi One of Malaysia’s most popular destinations, the island of Langkawi blends historical attractions, excellent diving opportunities, exciting nightlife and dirt-cheap shopping. Langkawi’s many beaches are rated among the world’s best, whilst a plethora of attractions and activities guarantee you’ll keep coming back to revel in its charm. Take in the spectacular views of the lush mountainside greenery as you ascend on the vertiginous 20-minute ride to the apex of the imposing Gunung Machinchang. Once atop the mountain, you’ll reach the Skybridge — a curved suspension bridge — which offers stunning views of the whole island. A tour to the Sungai Kilim
Nature Park will give you an up close and personal encounter with Langkawi’s famous brahminy kites and sea eagles. The Nature Park is a 100-square-kilometre protected area, which consists of mangrove forests, remote beaches and blue lagoons. The nature lover in you will be awed by the variety of flora and fauna, ranging from the overhanging ‘bogak’ trees to iguanas, macaques and tree crabs. Alternatively, go for a Sunset Cruise — a mid-afternoon trip that takes you sailing on the Andaman Sea, whilst you sit back and relax onboard a yacht. Take in the lush beauty of Langkawi as you enjoy your meal or lounge in a deck chair with a cold drink as the sun sets on the horizon.
Bali
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Dining
Simply Italian Primavera isn’t especially ostentatious, but rather boasts a trendy yet very elegant atmosphere, and in this lies precisely the beauty of the place. Appealing to a chic, younger crowd, as well as faithful longterm clientele, the chic clean lines of the dÊcor and overall ambience, cleverly puts the focus on the food. Images by George Mathew
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rimavera translates to ‘spring’ in Italian. The restaurant décor, in particular of the wall panels, shows one star constellation’s position during springtime. The Goddess of Spring, Primavera, symbolises fullness of life and the perfection of nature — and these two points are presented beautifully in the restaurant’s many specialties. With indoor dining, private rooms and al fresco dining on the terrace — all needs are catered for. Placed discreetly — and may we say ingeniously — behind one of the wall panels on one side of the restaurant, is a floor-to-ceiling painting of the goddess reflected on a mirror. Clever little details like this are what The Ritz-Carlton Hotel & Spa are famous for. When we were seated, the staff even provided hooks for our bags so they were off the floor and dangled inconspicuously on the side of our table. The Ohlala! team also took notice of how our cutlery was changed with every dish served. Unlike at some of the island’s Italian dining concepts, the menu here stays within the context of a familiar culinary tradition, and it’s reasonably priced. They offer the kind of straightforward, unfussy food that one would gladly tuck into, yet at the same time, it’s clearly obvious how much thought and preparation goes into each individual dish. Once seated, you’ll be enticed with their initial offering of a basket of freshly-made breads — an assortment of tomato focaccia, whole-wheat, herbs and olives, onions as well as cheese and walnut bread — warm and oh-so-delicious, we were thinking of asking the staff for the recipe. Attempt to refrain from gorging on the bread though, as the flowing courses are well worth the wait. Executive Chef, Guy Gateau, explains that some of the ingredients used in Primavera are designed to showcase the rarefied products that they produce in-house and are sold exclusively at The Ritz Gourmet Lounge. The specialty shop, which sells teas and coffee, homemade cookies, jams, pickles, pastries and more, will soon be offering their very own range of smoked fish, such as salmon, kingfish as well as popular local fish varieties and other seafood, all prepared using the hotel’s very own smoking machine. If all this sounds a little precious, that’s because it is. Re-launched in October last year, Primavera is a favourite haunt of diners who heap praise over their culinary delicacies. Before the heavier courses arrived, we indulged in a divine trio of Marinata di salmon con spuma di formaggio morbido e limone candito (marinated salmon with soft cheese mousse contained in peppers). This anti-pasti is to be admired as much for its simple beauty as for its taste. Then we got acquainted with a cold plate serving. We were delighted to try something new and tasted the Cold Lobster Salad — steamed lobster served without its shell and mixed in with slivers of tomatoes, onions and peppers. Aftwerwards, we sampled the popular ‘Piccolo ristretto di piselli con seppioline croccanti e quenelle di melanzane’ (spring green pea ‘ristretto’ with crispy squid and small quenelles of eggplant). If you love bi-valves, try the impepata di cozze e vongole alla sorrentina or Peppered mussels and clams Sorrento Style. It’s a warm, hearty dish perfect for a fresh winter’s day. All the pastas we sampled were delicious, especially the Strangozzi con carciofi stufati menta fresca e mollica di pane fritta. The strangozzi is freshly-made and hand-shaved, then tossed with artichokes, cherry tomatoes, pepper slivers and bread crumbs. The ceremony surrounding main courses can indeed be fussy, but one of the ways Primavera stays faithful to Italy is the straightforwardness of most of the preparations themselves, and not in a flurry of embellishments. And so we had prime bites of Petto di pollo farcito alle castagne con crema d asiago e tartufo (Chicken breast stuffed with chestnuts with creamy sauce of Asiago cheese and truffles), and served with potato wedges that had a slight crunch to them. The perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth sea bass with lemon and butter sauce was utterly tender and delicious. The fish sits on a bed of mixed vegetable purée, dotted with squid ink and served with mixed steamed vegetables. A plethora of beverages made from fruits of the vine provide the perfect accompaniment to your mains. Primavera has an extensive Italian list, which has a laudable number of bottles of whites and reds. We tried for instance the red Villa Gardi which was smooth, light, easy-drinking and had just a hint of earthiness to it. For a sweet ending, we sampled several dishes. We had spoonfuls of the exquisitely-created Degustazione crème brulée al cioccolato e gelao (Three chocolate-flavoured crème brulée and home-made ice-cream) and paired it with Mango, ananas e pistachio intreccio di sapori (Mango and pineapple pistachio mixture of flavours). You can taste these delicately, like we ladies are taught to do, or you can do the natural thing and just tuck in with gusto. Primavera is open daily for lunch from 12noon to 3pm and for dinner from 7pm to midnight. For reservations, call 1758 6499.
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Zen Dining
The appeal of Sato Restaurant hinges on the fact that it has remained true to offering only the very best in authentic Japanese cuisine. Chef Fumio Kikuta shares this simple yet quite delectable recipe, Saba Shio Yaki (Salt-Grilled Mackerel). A visit here is a culinary and cultural journey. Images by George Mathew
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ato Restaurant at the Gulf Hotel welcomes guests into its peaceful, Zen-like surroundings. As one long-held Japanese tradition, guests are greeted with the traditional sounding of the Japanese drum upon arrival — one gong for one guest, two gongs for two diners and so on… A favourite amongst the Japanese community in Bahrain, and its loyal base of clientele, Sato features a traditional-chic style, with Teppanyaki rooms, and a Sushi bar with a smoking section. With a 160-seating capacity, an á la carte menu is also available and features grilled fish alongside a wide range of traditional noodle dishes.
“This dish is simple, healthy and very easy to prepare.” ~ Chef Fumio Kikuta
Saba Shio Yaki (Salt-Grilled Mackerel) Serves 2
INGREDIENTS: 1 Whole mackerel 20 ml Fine table salt
For the Sauce: Onion Garlic Tomato Lemon glaze Lemon leaf Green chilli 60 ml Lemon juice 30 ml Sunflower oil 60 ml Soy sauce 20 ml Fine salt 20 ml Pepper powder
METHOD: Cook the fish on a pre-heated grill for ten to 15 minutes, turning only once. Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce, finely chop all the ingredients. Mix everything in a bowl, and add lemon juice, soy sauce, salt and pepper. Serve while warm.
CHEF FUMIO KIKUTA From the age of nineteen, Chef Fumio Kikuta’s culinary journey has been a long and interesting one. For four years, he worked at Hakone Hotel and at the ELCY Hotel in Japan as a Commis chef, and discovered his passion for cooking there. At the age of 23, Kikuta gained a strong understanding of Japanese cuisine and the restaurant culture; but he was hungry for other kitchen adventures, so he decided to leave Japan for Germany in 1988. He joined the Kikkoman and Daitokai Company as Teppanyaki sous chef and soon after, he moved to Myoko Pine Valley Prince Hotel and was employed as Chef de Partie. With new challenges in sight, Kikuta chose Bali InterContinental Resort (Indonesia) as Japanese chef and later moved to Dubai InterContinental for the same position. From December 2000 up to the present, Sato Restaurant has been Chef Fumio’s home.
Sato is open daily for lunch from 12noon to 3pm and for dinner from 7pm to 11pm. For reservations at Sato or for more information, call 1771 3000 or visit www.gulfhotelbahrain.com 57
Dining
DiningHotspots Hotels and restaurants are ready to roll out the red carpet for 2013, to bring you the very best culinary experience for the first month of the New Year!
Buon Appetito!
WHERE? Cucina Italiana Celebratory feast for all…
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Cucina Italiana is marking their first year anniversary on January 15 and guests can come and join in the celebration with a three-course feast for BD13. Get treated to a complementary dessert, welcome drinks or a signature cocktail. Remember to bring your business card for the raffle to win a free lunch or dinner and a bottle of bubbly for two! You can also book Ohlala! I January 2013 I www.ohlala-magazine.com
a Cooking Class with Chef Fortunato (date TBA) at BD10 (with appetiser, main course and drink). Book for 12 months for only BD100 (advance payment required) and receive a Certificate of Completion, a Cucina Italiana Apron and recipe book. Don’t forget, every Friday is Italian Brunch (10.30am to 3pm), for BD16 net (with welcome drink and beverages) and BD25 net (with welcome drink, house beverages and bottle of bubbly for two); and half price for kids. RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1700 1317
A Gastronomic Paradise
Baharat Officially Opens!
WHERE? The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
WHERE? Baharat, Kempinski Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centr
A memorable start to the year…
A new culinary experience for 2013…
Celebrate the first day of the year with family and friends with a meal to remember at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. Enjoy a New Year’s Day Brunch at Al Waha Restaurant (January 1), with a brunch that includes bubbly, fresh juices and soft drinks for BD23.5. At the same venue, the regular Friday Brunch Buffet resumes on January 4 along with your favourite theme nights. It’s International Buffet every Saturday, Monday and Tuesday; Indian Tandoori Night on Sundays; Butcher’s Night Wednesdays; Seafood Nights with live cooking on Thursdays and a Sizzling Friday Night dinner. Don’t forget to check out Gulf Hotel’s other dining options at Sato, Fusions, Casa Mexicana, Takht Jamsheed, La Pergola, China Garden, Royal Thai and Zahle.
Officially opening its doors on January 10, the Kempinski Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre’s Baharat will delight the public with its eclectic array of Middle Eastern and Oriental dishes. Situated on the hotel’s stylish ground floor, the restaurant will offer mouth-watering selections of appetisers, grills serving Shish Taouk, lamb chops and Dajaj Mosahab, and a wide variety of desserts such as Loukamat, Baklava, Katayef Assafer, and the popular favourite, Um Ali. Baharat’s monolithic counter design feature live cooking stations, saj and tandoor ovens and private dining areas, complete with live entertainment, including a belly dancer and a large terrace to enjoy a wide selection of shisha flavours. Baharat promises to deliver something for everyone. It will be open Wednesday to Friday from 7.30pm to 12am.
RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1771 3000
RESERVATIONS: 1717 1000
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Dining
Hotspots Endless Dining Options WHERE? Camelot Restaurant & Coral Bay
Galette des Rois WHERE? PAUL Bakery & Restaurant
Uniquely appetising specials…
Celebrating a French tradition…
All week, Camelot Restaurant has a line-up of delectable culinary offers. Sundays offer a Tapas and a la carte menu; Mondays — Moules et Frites Night with unlimited moules et frites (mussels and fries) for BD14; BD22 (inclusive of selected beverage). Tuesdays — The Grape Escape, from 7pm for BD10 (wine tasting only); BD20 (set menu and wine tasting). Wednesdays — Ladies Night, ladies can enjoy a martini or champagne cocktail with the next one on the house from 6pm to midnight. Every last Wednesday of the month, it’s Camelot Cigar Diary — from 8pm to 10pm. Thursday offers lunch and dinner, whilst on Fridays, it’s ‘All Day Breakfast’. At Coral Bay, Rayés has fresh cold mezzes and Lebanese salads. Choose from four main courses and desserts for BD4.9++. From Thursday to Saturday, go for the full buffet for BD9++. Brunch Buffet on Fridays is BD12++.
For something a little different, visit PAUL and celebrate the end of the festive season on January 6, where they will be offering the special Galette des Rois, available until January 8 for BD9.5. There are three important elements to the French tradition: the galette des rois, the fève (a small object or charm that is placed in the galette des rois) and the crowning of the king and queen. Each year, pastry shops throughout France come up with this unique pastry and children eagerly await the ceremony that accompanies the galette. PAUL will have one charm hidden in their cakes and you may be surprised with a different one for each cake as they change every year and have become desirable collectors’ items.
RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1771 7745 or 3997 7540
TO PRE-ORDER: ✆ PAUL Bahrain City Centre - 1717 2321; Seef Mall - 1758 0073
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Plush Offerings WHERE? The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa Specials-filled month… Pamper yourself with fine dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa this New Year. On January 1, La Med offers a Festive Brunch Buffet (two sittings at 12pm and 2pm) for BD27++ with house beverages. You can enjoy their regular Friday Brunch buffet every weekend after that for the same price. To mark the end of the festive season The Ritz Gourmet Lounge will prepare ‘Galette des Rois’ to celebrate the French tradition. Throughout the month you can also enjoy daily baked Arabic pastries with the Ritz’ own special spice mix. RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1758 6499
Maki’s ‘15 Magical Moments’ WHERE? Maki, World Trade Centre
Fusion cuisine at its finest… Always innovative, Maki will once again give an exquisite dining experience for guests this January with the introduction of ’15 Magical Moments’. Get to taste 15 courses of various staple favourites from Maki’s bountiful menu of inventive dishes — an array of flavours that range from tangy to spicy, to the lush and sublime. Coupled with complimentary wine pairings to complete your gastronomic experience, the exclusive offer is priced at BD15 per person. RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1752 2733; 3699 9102
New Year, New Menu! WHERE? Trader Vic’s
New bar bites… This month is going to be exceptional at Trader Vic’s as they present a fresh new bar menu, alongside favourites — the notorious Cheese Balls and Beef Cho Cho. The Chef has also created new bar bites, which are a definite must-try! If you love chilling out in Mai Tai Lounge, be sure to visit their Facebook page for surprises that await you. Make sure to book your place in advance as the place fills up really quickly! RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1758 6555
High-end Innovative Cuisine… WHERE? Bushido Restaurant & Lounge
Great food and fun parties… This month, the chic venue offers a new menu plus a healthy dose of glamour and entertainment. Apart from the regular menu, savour a new flavour experience (BD16 and BD19 respectively). Also try out the Bento Box lunch — a nice selection of Japanese food, miso soup, salads and tea from BD9++. Partying must surely be on your agenda so check out ‘Pink Fridays’ where every last Friday of the month, ladies get free entrance and two drinks and promotions on a selection of bites. They also get to win high-end Emporio Armani items! RESERVATIONS: ✆ 1758 3555
Shopping
New Year Sparkles Delight your loved ones with fabulous presents for the New Year and surprise even yourself with an item or two. Runway Ready Get ready for your close up with Victoria’s Secret’s new Runway Collection — perfect for the glamorous girl on the go!
Stylish Tots Mamas and Papas’ lets you carry your little tots around in style with their wide range of prams and pushchairs — lightweight travel systems that come with lots of matching accessories.
Glitz & Glamour These very glitzy charms from Juicy Couture will sparkle up your bracelet collection for the New Year — perfect for pairing up with your favourite outfits.
Drift Away Go away to a place where ease, comfort and repose dominate the scene. Choose from @home’s ‘Simplicity’ collection and savour life at its simplest.
Fashion Forward Infuse the latest trends into your space for the New Year. With international styles and bespoke designs, aura has the budgetconscious yet fashion-forward shopper in mind.
Always Chic Your home will get all loved up for the colder months with THE One’s luxurious and unique pieces.
Bahrain 44 | Bahrain 55 | Bahrain sport 1 | Bahrain sport 2
EXCLUSIVE AGENT:
FOR YOUR ADVERTISING: +973 17 564 250 +973 33 555 888 Email: bahraintv@groupplus.bh www.groupplusmedia.com groupplus LIKE US
SOCIETY
Art Extravaganza in Bahrain! This month will see one of the biggest gatherings of renowned artists on the island. The Al A’ali Art Festival celebrates its second year with a much-anticipated exhibition slated from January 17 to 25.
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ringing together over 70 artists from all over the Kingdom in disciplines such as Calligraphy, Photography, Sculpture, Music, Fine Arts, Fashion Design, Pottery and many more, the Art Festival will be held at the Al A’ali Shopping Complex and will see works from distinguished artists, such as Abbas Al Mousawi, Abdul Rasool Alghayb, Mariam Khalil Janahi, Ella Prakash, Aziz Qasim, Mahmood Al-Mulla; Haider Akbar Haider Ali, Nahid Sultana and Rasha Yousif, to name a few. The art fest aims to create an open platform for talent from various artistic disciplines. This objective will transform the shopping complex into a canvas showcasing a living gallery of different forms of art that will inspire, captivate and enthrall art enthusiasts and visitors alike. It will also highlight the charitable cause of the Festival, which endeavours to donate 20 percent of the funds raised from the sale of the artworks. The donation will be given to various local charities. If you are serious about furthering your artistic pursuits, the Festival will be holding several workshops with expert guidance from the artists who will teach valuable techniques and helpful tips that will help cultivate the budding artist in you. There will be an open photography contest, which anyone can join. Guests can also witness or take part in the food carving and cake decorating competitions — both of which are also open to the public. For artist enrollment or for more information on the photography contest, food carving or sponsorships, contact: Sanjeev on 3932 3696 / 3999 4858 or Al A’ali Shopping Complex on 1758 1000, or visit www.alaaliartfest.com
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Bahrain Hotspots To get your event featured in Ohlala! email: events@ohlala-magazine.com Amwaj Shopping Festival January 5
WHY GO? It’s not everywhere you can shop for unique and specially designed items. The Amwaj Shopping Festival is back for 2013 and you can get these and more at The Lagoon, Amwaj Islands. The shopping festival is on every first Saturday of the month from January 5 and it will offer a host of fun-filled activities for everyone. The upcoming festival dates are slated on February 2, March2 and April 6 respectively. Get your shopping list out as you browse through items from 50 different stalls as well as a marketplace that sells everything from gardening products and supplies, dried fruits, T-shirts, jewellery, bags, clothing, pastries and other food items, photographic prints, card sellers, organic body oils, carpets, furniture, children’s toys and many more. Festival goers may also receive some giveaways, or win in the raffle draws or competitions. There’s also face painting and henna tattooing, exciting games and rides, as well as music provided by a DJ whilst you enjoy your shopping.
The Lagoon, Amwaj Islands
info@stareventsme.com 1771 3716
The Chuckle Club January 17 WHY GO? It’s good to have a laugh every now and then. Three gentlemen will guarantee you’ll have a good chuckle with their very own brand of comedy. Taking place on January 17 at The InterContinental Regency Bahrain, The Chuckle Club will feature three international comedians in a must-see show. First on the line-up is Mark Dolan, then there’s Michael and finally, Mitch Benn. Mark is a comedian, writer and TV presenter, Mark has fronted a range of popular TV shows over the last decade, including the UK’s Channel 4 documentary series The World’s… And Me. Michael on the other hand has stamped his mark on the UK circuit appearing in the 2003 final of Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny, and has constantly performed for some of the best clubs in the UK. Mitch Benn, otherwise widely acknowledged as one of the best writer/performers of comic songs in the UK. Doors open from 7.30pm and tickets cost BD15.
The InterContinental Regency Bahrain
www.punchlineme.com 3666 3509
The Autumn Fair 2013 January 23 to 31
WHY GO? It is Bahrain’s largest and most popular consumer products show. Lasting for nine days, you can experience a shopping spree like none other while you choose from a wide range of products on display locally and from across the globe — from specialty foods to textiles, furnishings to electrical goods, household items to mouth-watering food stalls, fashion and children’s toys and many more. The annual exhibition attracts over 200,000 shoppers not just from Bahrain but also Saudi Arabia, whilst also acting as an important sourcing venue for distributors and agents in the Gulf region. Admission to the Fair is 700 fils and tickets can be purchased from the kiosks at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. Children under the age of five years will be admitted free of charge. The fair opens at 12noon to 10pm on January 23, and opening hours vary from January 24 to 31.
Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre
1755 0033
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VELD Music Festival January 31
WHY GO? Seven international artists are coming to Bahrain to give you an unforgettable performance you surely won’t want to miss. The VELD Music Festival, to be held at the Bahrain International Circuit, will give you eight hours of non-stop music featuring Party Rock (of LMFAO), Kaya Jones (from Pussycat Dolls), Alex Mica, Akcent (Adrian Sina), Clarita De Quiroz and Mr Sax (Saxobeat). Enjoy five hours of live concert performances and three hours of live DJ sets as you enjoy what is dubbed to be Bahrain’s biggest music festival to date. Tickets sell for BD25 (standard – admission only), BD50 (VIP – with food and drinks) and BD100 (Platinum – special elevated area plus unlimited food and drinks).
Bahrain International Circuit
3312 6616 or BBM: 290EA78D
Amy Winehouse & Pink Tribute January 31 WHY GO? Fans of two of the most popular international artists, Pink and the late Amy Winehouse, will be treated to a great show with Vicky Jackson delivering a tribute for these two powerful singers. Well known throughout the entertainment industry as one of the finest acts around, Vicky Jackson’s Amy Winehouse and Pink Tribute Show is massively popular in the UK and Europe. The Amy Winehouse Tribute Show includes all Amy’s hit songs including ‘Rehab’, ‘Back To Black’, ‘Tears Dry On Their Own’ and ‘Valerie’ as well as the fabulous Amy Winehouse classics from both of her multi-award winning albums ‘Frank’ and ‘Back To Black’, with all of her well known covers. Her tribute show for Pink will feature all of the artist’s hits including 'You Make Me Sick' and 'Some Girls' to her biggest tracks, 'Get the Party Started', 'Just Like A Pill', 'Family Portrait' and 'Who Knew' to 'Raise Your Glass', 'Perfect' and more. Tickets cost BD4 for general admission.
JJ’s Irish Restaurant
3932 9083
Spotlight on Bahraini Innovation January (Date TBA) WHY GO? Want to see some breakthrough innovations on the island? The Bahrain Science Centre is celebrating ‘Bahraini Innovation’, by showcasing contributions that Bahrainis have made to science and technology. One such inventor is Bahraini, Ebrahim Hameed, a qualified engineer who has been combining his expertise in engineering with his interest in horticulture since 1985. Ebrahim has invented a wide range of useful devices including solar-power collectors, composting drums and drip-irrigated planters in metal racks and plastic bottles that allow people who live in small apartments to grow flowers and vegetables in confined spaces. Ebrahim’s inventions will be displayed at the Bahrain Science Centre this month during which he will teach others how to make simple indoor and outdoor gardens.
Bahrain Science Centre, Isa Town
1768 6466
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Tory Burch Spring 2013 Ohlala! was invited to celebrate the Tory Burch launch at a special evening event in Dubai at Magnolia in the Al Qasr Hotel. Guests at the event had an exclusive preview of the Tory Burch Spring 2013 Collection, with 20 looks from the New York Fashion Week runway show.
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Jimmy Choo Parties on for Cruise 2013 Collection Ohlala! joined the uber fashionable crowd at the launch party of Jimmy Choo’s Cruise 2013 Collection. Held at the Cabana, The Address Dubai Mall, the event also introduced the ‘Choo 24:7 Stylemakers’, where guests took part in a fun photo booth activity — modelling their favourite shoes and bags from the new collection. The interactive www.choo247. com site celebrates street style with an image gallery featuring fans wearing Jimmy Choo items across the world.
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Kempinski Hot in the City Fashion Party Ohlala! recently co-sponsored the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel’s ‘Hot in the City’ Party at the intimately stylish Bizarre Lounge. Now a regular event for fashionistas on the island, the launch party saw many fabulous ladies dressed to impress and win fantastic prizes! Luxury fashion brands from Saks Fifth Avenue, gorgeous cars from Maserati, and spirited cocktails, with a grand prize for the most fashionable lady of the night, made this super-chic event a huge success.
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Hilton Watson’s Masked Ball at Muju Hilton Watson hosted a Masquerade Ball at Muju, Dragon Resort & Hotel for friends and invited guests who partied the night away to fantastic music, great company and good vibes.
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Gulf Hotel’s Festive Lighting The Gulf Hotel Bahrain held its annual lighting of the Christmas Tree at the hotel lobby to the delight of its young and old guests alike. Santa was on hand to give out gifts to the children, whilst Christmas carols and festive drinks were enjoyed by all who were present.
The Ritz-Carlton Lights Up Festive Season One of the first on the island to mark the start of the festive season, The RitzCarlton Bahrain, Hotel & Spa gave guests some festive cheer with the hotel staff participating in Christmas carols and storytelling — whilst Santa delighted the children with gifts.
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Movenpick Lights Up Festive Tree Santa came all the way to meet children and hand out gifts as the Moevenpick Hotel Bahrain staged its annual lighting of the Christmas tree. Traditional festive drinks and cookies were enjoyed by all whilst the hotel staff performed Christmas carols.
Kempinski Spreads Festive Cheer Boasting real pine trees and other authentic festive decorations, the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel, Bahrain City Centre hosted its Christmas tree lighting ceremony carol singing and a visit from Father Christmas.
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Sofitel Festivities Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Resort & Spa celebrated the start of the festive season through the lighting of the Christmas tree. Guests were treated to joyful carolling, festive drinks and treats.
Christmas Carols at the Capital Club The Manama Singers shared in the festive celebrations as they performed Christmas carols for invited guests at the Capital Club Bahrain.
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DHL Tinsel Tournament DHL Bahrain Netball League held their annual Tinsel Tournament at the Dilmun Club in Saar, in an effort to raise money for families in need. The tournament featured around 40 players, including representatives of the league's eight, including Ohlala!’s three teams, and a number of guest players.
VIVA Media Karting Challenge VIVA Bahrain recently hosted teams from the media battle it out at the VIVA Karting Track, Bahrain International Circuit. The Ohlala! and FACT team representing Nans Group came out victorious and the members beamed for the cameras as they received their trophy.
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Business Mercedes-Benz Launches New GL Class
Al Haddad Motors recently unveiled at a press conference, the new GL from Mercedes-Benz. Speaking at the event, Graeme Newport, general manager of Al Haddad Motors describes the new car: “The new GL occupies the top position amongst the luxury SUVs. With its comprehensive assistance systems it has a pioneering role where safety and comfort are concerned, and is on a par with an S-Class — even off the beaten track.” Providing comfort, safety, elegance, efficiency — the new GL boasts innovations such as the standardspecification Crosswind Assist, Steer Control steering assistance system, load recognition and optional Collision Prevention Assist (CPA) increasing safety. Sometime this year, a 360-degree camera will also be available.
Motorcity Unveils Citroën C4 Aircross
With the arrival of the new Citroën C4 Aircross, Motorcity, the sole distributor of Citroën in the Kingdom, has announced a fresh take on the conventional compact SUV. Speaking at the press conference during the unveiling, Vishal Prabhakar, acting sales manager at Motorcity said that, “We are sure that our customers will be delighted to experience the Citroën C4 Aircross’ new bold design as this elegant vehicle is perfectly fit for contemporary lifestyles, introducing a sense of escape into everyday activities.” The Citroën C4 Aircross breaks the conventional 4WD design and combines the elegance of brand saloons with the more muscular lines of an off-roader. As a compact vehicle, it is quite spacious, featuring five seats and a boot volume of 442-litres.
Gulf Air & Standard Chartered Partnership
Gulf Air and Standard Chartered Bank in Bahrain have announced a first in the Kingdom and the Middle East — the launch of a suite of co-branded credit cards tailored specifically to offer exceptional value to frequent flyers. The two-in-one card offers customers the convenience of a credit card and the power of a loyalty programme in one. Available in Blue, Silver and Gold variants, the Standard Chartered Frequent Flyer Credit Cards allow customers to convert banking transactions, including account deposits, into flight rewards, whilst enjoying exclusive privileges and world class services from both Gulf Air and Standard Chartered Bank. A critical strategic partner in this is Visa, which is used by Standard Chartered Bank in Bahrain to issue all its cards using the Visa platform.
BBK Launches Al Wajaha Premium Banking
BBK has launched Al Wajaha, an exclusive banking service designed for customers’ banking, travel and lifestyle needs. In addition to the premium range of banking services and benefits, Al Wajaha offers a Visa Infinite debit card, a first in Bahrain and available to new and existing account holders. Al Wajaha customers will have access to Dedicated Relationship Managers and the luxurious and exclusive, Majlis Al Wajaha. At the launch, Abdulkarim Bucheery, BBK’s chief executive, said: “We cherish the relationship with our customers and always pay very close attention to our customers’ needs. I am therefore delighted to announce our new Al Wajaha banking service which offers an unrivalled package of features and benefits specially designed to meet the needs of the most discerning customers.”
Zain Brings Huawei Media Pad to Bahrain
‘Zainers’ get exclusive first privileges through a special tie-in with Huawei with the launch of the all-new Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD. Zain Bahrain’s newest launch offers customers the chance to own the Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD as part of its mobile broadband and home broadband packages from BD6 per month, including the MediaPad and unlimited data. At the launch attended by Zain and Huawei executives, Mohammed Al Alawi manager, Enterprise and Broadband Products and Services said, “Zain Bahrain has a stellar track record of supporting the upgrading of technology at all levels and this exclusive introduction of the Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD in Bahrain through Zain Bahrain is part of our continuous efforts to bring the very latest personal machines to our customers.” 76
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Ohlala! Stars Giovanni unveils your future for January… Happy Birthday Ms Capricorn! This month is going to see many of you contemplating a new phase in your life and the New Year is set to mean a lot more to you than many other signs. Much of this will be down to the fact that you have recently completed a business transaction that is going to offer a fantastic opportunity for you to really lift your finances in 2013. Emotionally, a new romance may blossom from the end of the month onwards adding to that overall glow in your life.
December 22 – January 19
Capricorn — at a glance
Capricorns are usually true to their word, even when others might have doubts about the validity of their claims. Independent, almost unshakable characters, they have an abundance of positive qualities, making them confident, strong-willed and calm. They also have a hardworking ethic and are unemotional, shrewd and practical in business when pursuing their goals. They demand trust and honesty from their partners and they will sacrifice everything for those they love, even at the risk of personal hardship. Often unfairly seen as stern and unforgiving, they demand respect but also give it, and appreciate authority. Whilst often very good with money, this can lead to some of them being particularly mean, although they are more likely to tell you this is just sensible caution. They can also be prone to dark moods and depression and can be melancholy at times, so it works best if their ’other-half’ is a more buoyant personality.
Martin Luther King Kate Middleton Orlando Bloom Rowan Atkinson Bradley Cooper
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) Plans that took seed last month concerning money matters will develop favourably through to the end of the first quarter in 2013 and may even result in you travelling abroad to cement a profitable long-term partnership. You may also need to recruit a working associate to assist in an operation that might move too quickly for one person alone to deal with.
Pisces (February 19 – March 19) This month could see a long-term relationship finally come to a close. Perhaps things have simply run their course; perhaps it is time for a natural change. Whatever the reason, January will mark the beginning of a new phase in your life and though you may enter upon this path with a little trepidation, in the long run you can only benefit from it.
Aries (March 20 – April 19) This month an opportunity that comes your way is too good for you to give up, and there may be a few risks attached. You may be required to commit 100 percent of your time to the new venture for it to succeed and this could force an already strained home-life to breaking point.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Everything in your sphere seems to come together at once, promising you an eventful and rewarding few weeks. Career-wise, any concerns you might have harboured over a new project will be alleviated as things kick off in a very positive manner. Particular benefits will come if it involves creative pursuits.
GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Financially, you will get to see the back of some particularly tough times and you can look forward to a little more stability with your bank account. You may even have a nice little nestegg to fall back on. It’s also going to be a good time for you romantically, although it would be wise to think carefully before embarking upon any new relationship because your true “soul mate” may not have revealed himself just yet.
Famous Capricorns Jim Carrey Michelle Obama Elvis Presley Muhammad Ali
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) You are a sign driven by your heart and your emotions and as such, even though you are flying in the face of reason, you cannot help how you feel about someone close to you. This isn’t to suggest you are going to allow yourself to be ‘walked over’ but you know when something feels intrinsically right and this just does, regardless of what anyone else tells you. Virgo (August 23 — September 22) Some of you may have found yourselves under a great degree of emotional pressure just recently as tensions in a relationship rise to an almost unbearable level. You need to take the initiative and alleviate the problem before someone literally explodes! If you have children around you, let them stay with relatives, so that you and a partner can iron out any issues without distraction. Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) This month you might need to watch your back in the work place as your colleagues seem to oppose you in some manner and you will need to prepare yourself for a draining battle in the coming weeks. To make a case for your defence you will need to do your homework because your progress has been monitored and you will have to fight your corner pretty hard.
LEO (July 23 – August 22) You may feel more emotional than usual this month and people close to you are likely to be concerned about your state of mind. Circumstances revolving around a problematic relative could be partly the reason for your obvious dismay, although financial matters also dominate your thoughts. Work could see you changing positions or even companies as a more productive vacancy comes to your attention.
Libra September 23 – October 22 This month your feelings are likely to be all over the place as an old flame reappears and turns your world (and your emotions) upside down. For those of you currently in a relationship, your reaction could confirm that where you are right now isn’t the best place and you should consider effecting some kind of change for your partner as much as yourself. Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Just when you thought you’d seen it all, January throws you a curve ball of fairly epic proportions as a new romance literally bursts into your settled environment. A chance meeting back in August looks to be developing into something a little more serious. Your heart won’t know what has hit it, and many of you should prepare for quite a dramatic encounter. 79
THE COLUMN
Lifestyle Lowdown …
gs with Rozan Ahmed
Your monthly musin
“Progression without peers would be a lonely place…”
Y
ou'll be reading this in January 2013. But as of now, I'm still in 2012... startled by the year's near end, and grateful for its overall momentousness. The forefront of my vision (as regular readers of this column will know) has always been to expose what is ethnically grand, to culturally merge creativity with cause and always do so with a focus on leaving positive marks, colourful stains, a memorable history, in today's ever changing planet. To provide a different perspective on what is essentially forced in terms of information and celebrate the behaviour of real icons, past, present and future. 2012 saw many ‘moments’ highlighting this vision... through projects, events, collaborations, and inspiring like-minds. Let's take a look at a few, shall we? We Want Peace, and Emmanuel Jal. Launching the Business Gala and installing a school of philanthropy into the minds of successful businesses across South Sudan. Highlighting peace through the power of music and historically hosting Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels as the first international artist to touch South Sudanese soil. Introducing the works of Kenya's Kennedy Odede, Hope to Shine founder and Kibera's most influential, to Saudi Arabia's Prince Fahd Al Saud, a global force to be reckoned with, currently taking global technology to new levels of innovation in supporting youth entrepreneurship within KSA and beyond. Meeting with Angelina Jolie at The Hague and playing a part in the compilation of the closing statements for the International Criminal Court's first trial — oh and seeing the Chief Prosecutor at the time, Mr Ocampo, dance to Emmanuel Jal's hip hop music. Cannes, Antibes, Monaco and my birthday (that's just always memorable). My first NBA game — much thanks to Mr Pavo Smalls. My first hurricane. Indeed, thank you Sandy. My first time in Miami — except it was for 24 hours, I attended a conference and didn't leave the hotel (this no longer counts). And a final first, in the form of TV, and my appearance on DSTV's "Making of a Mogul" series. Honoured. Abu Dhabi Film Festival and its fantastic opening of Arbitrage. Saudi's Mohammed Al Turki and Hollywood heavyweight Richard Gere on the same celebratory stage as we witnessed an East/West fusing of film unlike
any other. Curating cover stories with Michelle Rodriguez — and once again highlighting local glory with international pizzazz. Cultural cultivation in fashion, history and music as we toured the Arab region (Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and yes indeed — Saudi Arabia). Estelle, and a bonafide visit to Kuwait's (shockingly freezing?) desert. Meeting with US military officials and humbly experiencing life on ‘the inside’. This, I shan't ever forget. Progression without peers would be a lonely place, which made the sight of ge, & rbitra flourishing peers all the more joyful. Reem and abia: A r A s t bi mee her wondrous expansion of Bahrain's Green wood Abu Dha Holly Bar (aka my skin's saving grace). Sofia and those heavenly bags, Lulu and Arabulous, Dana and The OverDressed, and marriage (yay). Saira, her "bragging" move to Dubai. Kenya, and Juliani, with Vision 2030, and Mugo Kibati. Boniface Mwangi — witnessing his triumph as one of the most inspiring leaders I have ever come across. Paige and her baby and the Africa Yoga Project. Saudi's Reem Al Kanhal and her stunningly intelligent fashion deliverance. Kuwait and Noaf and Pretty Little Things. Too many loved ones getting hitched and/or pregnant — then there was the legendary incident We W ant P of climbing Mount Everest in aid of eace: A ngelin breast cancer. Indeed, my friends are aJ Jal olie & Em amazing. manu el It seems divinely befitting that I'm here reminiscing in the midst of Dubai Film Festival, surrounded by a human avalanche of the world's most creative people. It's probably the quaintest of ways to end this culturally vibrant year. Red carpets celebrating Saudi's first female filmmaker (whose movie, Wadjda, was just unadulterated magic — Haifa, I zestfully applaud you). Afterparties with Australian singing sensations who debuted in the region with their first feature film. Bollywood so and so's, old England accolades and Palestinian strength in struggle. Attending lavish galas with Egypt's hmed ozan Aights R finest actors as we dine with Hollywood royalty 's i g e ou dh ogul: b to recor while raising funds for Oxfam in Tanzania. It is of a Ml mergence g n i k the utmost beauty in positive globalisation, and Ma s cultura take we are all a glorious part of it. Onto 2013.
Visit: www.rozanahmed.com - Like: www.facebook.com/bougi - tweet: @IamRozan
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Hot in theCity
Hot in the City
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Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre MANAMA BAHRAIN