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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 # 19 BAHRAIN BD2 UAE DHS20 QATAR QR20 KUWAIT KD2 KSA SR20 A
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THE HEIGHT OF LUXURY
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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 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 6
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Fearless F as
hion with
The Women Behind McLaren
Tory Burc h
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18 STYLE
Woman in Power
Celebrity Scoop
Fashion of the Stars
The Women Behind McLaren
Screen Legend Wows Fans
Take some inspiration
18 from celebrities to jazz up your winter look.
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Ohlala! were invited to the
24 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
30 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.
Let us take you on a cruise along the shores of the Arabian Gulf. Let us delight your palate with our culinary skill. Let us slow your world down at our Spa. Let us show you that sometimes life’s about being, rather than doing.
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Offer is valid through December 31, 2013 and subject to availability. Requires two night minimum stay. Lunch at The Lagoon, Spa treatment, and Recreation Activity is per stay. Terms and conditions apply. Š 2013 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
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34 FASHION
FASHION Interview
MOTORING
Winter Wardrobe
Fearless Fashion
Diva Drives
Ohlala! in association
34 with Punt Roma
showcase your wardrobe staples for the new season.
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Ohlala! Magazine was invited
44 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
60 British car brand that by the name alone evokes ideas of sportiness, grandeur and a luxurious lifestyle.
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For reservations or for further information, please contact +974 4015 8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com
Chairman Mubarak Bin Rashid Al Khalifa Chief Operations Officer Rami Khalil
Publishing Director Edward Smith
Editor-in-Chief Kirsty Edwards-Harris
General Manager Hussein Zreik
Editorial Assistants Josie Hill Karina Lazarraga
Sales & Marketing Director Leslie Garduque
Editor-at-Large Ben Whittaker
Sales & Marketing Managers Ibis Perea
Art Director Syed Muhammed Raihan
Sales Executive Pauline Marcombe
Graphic Designer Rashed Bindaina
Administration Executive Aniyan Varghese
Website Designer & Developer Ammar Ali
Sales & Distribution Coordinator Sheree Lou Cabonce
Feature Contributors Giovanni Rozan Ahmed Sari Mabire
Accountants Gigimon Thankachen Praveen Alexander Distribution Team Jayapragash Ganesan Rajesh Abdul Kadar
Fashion Contributors Aisa Santana @ Toni & Guy Deanne Chandler @ Toni & Guy Jordan Davis @ Toni & Guy Photography Contributors Abshar PK @ Creative Design Fritsche ‘Chai’ Bautista @ Creative Design George Mathew Shameer Pokkutty @ Creative Design
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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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.
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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
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Chanel Im
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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.
THE CAUSE
Change starts now for Doha Oasis
In the wake of the International Climate Change Conference COP18 and its impact on local environmental policy, Josie Hill catches up with local environmental group, Doha Oasis, to hear about the group’s vision to make Doha a nicer, greener and healthier place to live.
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ith the International Climate Change Conference COP18 throwing a big green spotlight on Qatar, the timing could not be more perfect for groups like Doha Oasis, founded by three like-minded Qataris under the motto 'DO', to get their message out. Co-founder Noor Al-Thani tells us, “We started Doha Oasis in January 2012 for the good of the community in Doha. We want to contribute to making the environment we live in better. Our focus is on environmental health and people’s health and the relationship between them. “We see the environment affecting people’s health, for example, in the high number of asthma cases, and we want to create a better quality of life, and start shifting from living indoors to living outdoors more.” Doha Oasis sees itself as a community grassroots organisation than can act as a bridge between people in the community and the government, by raising awareness, opening up a dialogue on how to improve the environment and encouraging people to actively participate in greening their surroundings with projects like the Doha Green Belt and the Forest Project. Summing up the group’s approach Noor says, “Basically it’s a three-fold consideration of awareness, campaigns and communications.” Co-founder Khalid Al-Mohannadi adds, “One of our first projects will be to start tree planting around mosques, and
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teach people to plant trees. We are working with a company who are creating a special device called Grow Oasis, which enables people to go away and grow a plant without using a lot of water. It basically teaches the plant to grow aggressively, growing its roots deeper into the ground. But also important is the type of plants which are chosen because they are hardy and don’t need a lot of water.” In a country, which gets only 80 milimetres of rain per square-metre per year, and yet has one of the highest rates of water usage in the world, initiatives like Grow Oasis make a lot of sense. Doha Oasis, together with the Ministry of the Environment and other environmental groups are hoping to use the Grow Oasis technology to create Green Belts around Doha and other towns and cities in Qatar. Khalid explains, “The Green Belt project was one of the goals of the Olympic 2020 bid, so we want to take it up again, and start planting trees around Doha and other cities so that we can create microclimates in Qatar.” Another similar scheme called the Forest Project, aims to turn a 40-year-old area of woodland in Doha called Al Maseela, into a thriving community woodland with areas for meditation, for research and development, for children and families, and for meetings and functions. Khalid says, “It was abandoned for many years and we are stepping forward to raise awareness of it. If it all goes to plan we would hope to see it happen over the next three years.” Other projects Doha Oasis is taking part in are Tadweer — the national recycling initiative, the Winter Camping Greening Campaign, Water Solutions, and an environmental awareness campaign (with New Doha TV). Doha Oasis marked the end of its first year on a high, taking part in the opening ceremony of COP18 and helping to organise the country’s first ever environmental march through the city on December 1, which saw 1,000 participants from 50 NGOs around the world taking part. “It has been such a fruitful and successful year, we have made a lot of connections and have started working on various projects, which we now hope will take seed over the coming 12 months,” Noor sums up. Get involved Doha Oasis is made up of seven board members and a growing number of volunteers. The group is always on the lookout for more community involvement, so find out how you can make a difference today: Email: info@dohaoasis.com Facebook: Doha Oasis Twitter: @DohaOasis
“We want to create a better quality of life, and start shifting from living indoors to living outdoors more.”
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Art & Culture
Mira Nair’s timely triumph
It has not been an easy ride for film director Mira Nair and her crew, but then again, making a film like the ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’, which touches on so many raw yet important themes in today’s post 9/11 world was never going to be easy, as Ohlala!’s Josie Hill discovers. Images by Abshar @ Creative Design
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“W
hen I put my mind to a movie it usually takes two years, but it really was the most difficult film for me since Salaam Bombay (1988),” explains Mira Nair, “it took two years just to find the financing, but from the beginning we were fortunate to have the Doha Film Institute (DFI) and their uncompromising faith in this.” The 55-year-old multi-award winning film director adds, “We couldn’t have done it without the support of the DFI!” For Mira, who agrees that it is her most ambitious project to date, the decision to make the film began eight years ago. She tells Ohlala! “In 2004 I visited Pakistan for the first time. My father came from Lahore, so while we were born and raised in India, we knew the songs and the poems of Lahore, but we never went there. So it was really an amazingly moving time to see such a deeply familiar culture, but also to see this notion of refinement that you rarely associate with Pakistan when you read the newspapers.” A few months later, Nair read Mohsin Hamid’s bestselling novel the ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’, the story of a Pakistani man who decides to leave his high-flying Wall Street career after a failed love affair and the terrorist attacks of 9/11, to return to Pakistan and teach at a local university. Nair elaborates, “The book was a real mind game; but it was also a dialogue with America, and these are both worlds that I come from and know but very rarely do these worlds talk to each other. So once I met Mohsin and he was kind enough to give the rights to me, you know I’m a bulldozer, once I decide I want to do something, that’s it. That’s the rarity if you have the privilege of inspiration and a story like this one.” The timing of the film for Nair is also important, as she explains, “It has been a long time coming, but also I think it is interesting to make it ten years after 9/11, because there is much more pause to reflect and not just have a knee jerk reaction but also to see the terrible impact of the last ten years. “If you look at the world today, look at what has happened in the last decade, look at the fact that there really has been this schism that George W. Bush so happily developed — the ‘You are either with us or against us’ attitude, and that has created a wall, and that wall has led to this absolute lack of communication and complete destruction in many ways. So I really feel that so often you only get one point of view and it’s about time we have this dialogue with the world.” The film endeavours to explore many themes relevant to today’s transient and diverse populations, to questions of identity and belonging. And Mira says, while she made it for the world, in many ways it is also dedicated to her 21-year-old son. “It is for my son Zohran, who at 16 was questioned in front of us at immigration, at 18 he was taken away to be questioned, and now, at 21, who knows what will happen. These things constantly happen and it’s scary, and you want to make a story for the world to see and to realise that essentially we are human at the end of it and it’s because we don’t know each other that we think of each other the way that we do.
“So you break that down and create that line of communication to find out in this young man’s journey what matters, where do you matter, from where do you belong, what do you stand for, and those are the beautiful questions that Mohsin asks in his story and we hope that we’ve all done justice to in the film.”
The ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’ premiered at a number of film festivals from Venice to Toronto, and more recently at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival in November 2012. It goes on general release in April.
“I really feel that so often you only get one point of view and it’s about time we have this dialogue with the world.”
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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. 24
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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 26
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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 28
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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 29
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.” 32
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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.” 33
FASHION
Winter Wardrobe Ohlala! in association with Punt Roma showcase your wardrobe staples for the new season. Every woman has to have a Little Black Dress. Accessorise with silver or gold accents for stylish sophistication.
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Always on trend, make a statement in Black and White, pairing the look with monochrome accessories.
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FASHION
Stand out from the crowd by Colour Blocking in eye-popping shades.
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Shop for a great pair of Fitted Jeans with a flattering cut. Comfort is key.
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FASHION
Hot off the catwalks, invest in The Blazer to best carry off the equestrian trend in style.
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Photographer I George Mathew I www.greyimage.com I +973 3320 8003 Fashion Director I Kirsty Edwards-Harris Model I Tabea Hair Stylist I Deanne Chandler @ Toni & Guy I +973 1700 1700 Hair Styling Assistant I Jordan Davis @ Toni & Guy I +973 1700 1700 Makeup I Aisa Santana @ Toni & Guy I +973 1700 1700 Fashion I Punt Roma I +973 1717 2307 Location I Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel, Bahrain City Centre I +973 1717 1000 43
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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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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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
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.
Clini
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out E yes S e
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Opaque Chic
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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Estee Lauder Volumising M asca
Lipstick M.A.C Beige
ti ige Lips YSL Be
ck
ra
Get great-looking lashes by using a volumising mascara.
osing ok by cho lo ic h C e shade. e Opaqu ose beige r Finish th ft o s a with a lipstick
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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.
Image by George Mathew 60
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Sari Mabire Diva Driver
T
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 62
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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
Mouthwateringly Great
Designed as a tribute to the founders of the first St Regis Hotel in New York City over a century ago, the Astor Grill restaurant infuses classical French and modernstyle cuisine. Ohlala! magazine steps inside for a tour and a taste of Chef Roudy Petersen’s delicious Scallops, Cauliflower, Saffron and Lemon Sauce Caviar. Images by Abshar @ Creative Design
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Saffron sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and shallots with the saffron, deglaze with the fish fumet and reduce by half. Next add the cream and reduce to about half. Season with salt and lemon juice, pass through a conical strainer, and mix the sauce. Dhasi emulsion: Combine water, dhasi, and sucro. When ready to serve, froth with a hand blender.
To finish: Three small spoons of lump eggs, three pieces of sliced cauliflower, three pieces of feva bean, one piece of shiso salad and seaweeds chukka wakamé and three peeled chervil.
Chef Roudy Peterson Currently Chef de Cuisine at the Astor Grill, Chef Roudy Petersen comes to the St Regis after working with Chef Gilles Bosquet at Gordon Ramsay’s 'Opal', “helping him set up the restaurant”. Roudy met Gilles when he was working at the Paradis Hotel in his native Mauritius, and Gilles later invited Roudy to apply for a job at the St Regis. Roudy says, “My speciality is to take classic food and to make it modern, you take an old thing and work on it and to make it something for today. For example you have the swordfish, which is a classic French dish I have made it into a different shape — a square, and added some new flavours.”
A
s the signature restaurant for the St Regis in Doha, the Astor Grill promises to set new standards as a world class dining destination in Doha. The restaurant itself dates back to the opening of the original hotel in New York over a century ago, which popularised Chef Escoffier’s legendary Guide Culinaire, a world reference in modern French cuisine, and the basis of the Astor Grill menu today. The restaurant serves traditional delights, such as Lobster Bisque and Steak Tartar, a variety of grilled items including Kobe Beef as well as a wide selection of fresh seafood. Diners wanting something lighter can choose from a range of select cuts and delightful appetisers, while those looking to celebrate can enjoy traditional dishes freshly prepared by the hotel chefs at the table. SCALLOPS, CAULIFLOWER, SAFFRON AND LEMON SAUCE CAVIAR
INGREDIENTS Scallops: 3 scallops per person, butter & olive oil, salt Cauliflower purée: 200g cauliflower, 20g butter, 300ml water Saffron & lemon sauce: fumet, cream, saffron, lemon juice Dhasi emulsion: water
METHOD Scallops: In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil. Season the scallops with salt and sear for about two minutes per side. Then add one tablespoon of butter.
Cauliflower Purée: Place the cauliflower in a saucepan and cover with half of water, bringing to a boil. Drain the cauliflower, reserving the liquid. In a blender, mix the cauliflower with cooking water, then add one spoon of butter.
“First of all I think about the ingredients that we have and how to make them into a work of art on the plate, then I work on adding taste to the dish, and voila!” – Chef Roudy Petersen
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Dining
Hotspots Ocean Dining WHERE? The Diplomatic Club, near Katara, West Bay, Doha
Decadent Menu WHERE? La Sahtaine at the Hilton, Doha
Fire & water go together…
Porcini Month at La Sahtaine…
Never before has the phrase “with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf” been truer than in this meal out with a difference. Yes, instead of gazing across the sea while you eat your dinner, in the Diplomatic Club’s new BBQ donut, you’ll actually be floating on it, and enjoying the breeze while you tuck into a menu consisting of freshly baked breads, Ceasar salad, marinated beef and chicken, hot dogs, vegetable kebabs and baked potatoes. The food and soft drinks cost QR180 per person (house beverages cost extra), with a maximum of eight people in the Donut at a time. Diners can choose to rent the donut for one or two hours, for QR450 or QR800 respectively, which includes the captain, umbrella, music and a five-horsepower engine to take a ride across the sea while you dine. The offer runs daily from 8am to 10pm.
The Hilton’s La Sahtaine restaurant is offering diners the chance to enjoy rare porcini mushrooms as part of their special porcini month menu. Porcini mainly come from the Northern mountainous forest regions of Italy and similar areas of France and is commonly prepared and eaten in soups, pasta or risotto. The mushroom is low in fat and digestible carbohydrates, and high in protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Although it is sold commercially, it is very difficult to cultivate. Diners can enjoy porcini as part of a decadent, five-course menu which features flavourful dishes such as Grade A grilled Angus fillet with porcini, black truffles in a red reduction and accompanied with chestnut and roast potato mash and green asparagus for only QR 290 including a welcome beverage.
RESERVATIONS: ✆ +974 44847450, spa.recreation@dclub.com.qa
RESERVATIONS: ✆ +974 4423 3333, doha.reservations@hilton.com
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Go Japanese
Gourmet Grocer
WHERE? Wagamama, Lagoona Mall
WHERE? Jones the Grocer, The Gate Mall, City Centre
London’s most popular noodle house…
Enjoy any occasion in the buzzing restaurant…
Lagoona’s new Japanese restaurant, the internationally popular Wagamama, has an array of offers during January. The newly opened restaurant, no.126 in the international chain, is famous for its energised atmosphere and attentive, friendly service with a menu that promises to satisfy young and old alike. The Asian-inspired fare includes side dishes; Edamame, Duck gyoza, Tori kara age, as well as Noodle and Rice based entrees, Ramen soups, Teppan dishes and fresh salads. To quench a thirst, diners can choose from a selection of fresh juices. Dishes are served immediately as they are prepared, thus arriving at the table at different times throughout the meal. Diners are encouraged to begin eating and enjoy the Wagamama experience as it unfolds. While the speedy service and fun staff contribute to the restaurant’s unique, dynamic atmosphere, the simple, stylish design by the architectural design firm Gensler creates a pleasing environment, so come and enjoy London’s most popular noodle house, open daily from 11.30am to 11pm.
The Australian gourmet food emporium Jones the Grocer has refreshed its a la carte menu with a range of new dishes. The menu, which includes dishes with everything from Asian infused pan-seared snapper filet to the warm salad of roasted chicken breast, will be sure to entice customers with its intriguing new tastes. The team in Doha has been hard at work perfecting dishes, including the pastry chefs who have added an assortment of new treats to the menu. Handmade using only natural, preservative and additive free ingredients, delicacies such as the smooth tiramisu or the fruity pannacotta have been baked to capture the lightness, and create a melt-in-your mouth sensation. Whether with family, friends or clients, guests can try out the new menu and enjoy any occasion in the bustling restaurant where the experienced and friendly team is on hand to help you enjoy a lovely meal.
RESERVATIONS: ✆ +974 4463 3876, wagamama.com.qa / hospitality@alibinali.com
RESERVATIONS: ✆ +974 4407 7175, thegate@jonesthegrocer.com
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Shopping
BY MALENE BIRGER By Malene Birger, now in Lagoona Mall ground floor, offers a Pret-aporter collection four times a year along with an extensive collection of accessories reflecting the look and the styling. Malene’s main inspiration comes from living life in constant motion from moving, travelling and seeing other cultures and from her keen interest in art, interior design and flea markets around the world the result is a fresh take on contemporary classics in a look that’s revealing and real. "More than anything we would like women to pursue what matters most, to change what they don’t like and to live a life they love."
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TWIN BAG BY PORSCHE Porsche Design is set to launch the Twin Bag, its first women’s handbag, for the Spring and Summer 2013 season. Distinguished by a very innovative carrying concept, the new handbag will be available in all Porsche Design stores around the world from March 2013. The launch of the Twin Bag rounds off Porsche Design’s fashion and lifestyle range for women.
Shopping
BAGS BY CELINE The Edge Simplicity with a modern design the “Edge” bag by Celine adds a sense of luxury and sophistication to any outfit. Everything is in the beauty of leathers and purity of the construction.
The The Case bag “Case the s in C ” is o mo elin ne st v o e ers colle f the atil c e, a tion, most l nd b clas ut als uxurio sica o o u lly s ne o s imp f le.
All soft bag This soft and casual bag comes in bold colour combinations, crafted with the greatest care, it’s easy and roomy and comes with a separated pouch inside the bag. Celine clothes, bags and accessories are available at Salam stores at the Mall and the Gate in Doha.
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SOCIETY
WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE
SOCIETY
QATAR Hotspots
IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR EVENT FEATURED IN Ohlala! Email events@ohlala-magazine.com Game, set and match December 31 – January 5 2013 WHY GO? Tennis fans are in for a treat this month as a host of big names descend on Doha for the 2013 ExxonMobil Open. The 2013 event will see Spain’s Rafael Nadal, 2012 finalist Gael Monfils, world No. 5 David Ferrer and France’s Richard Gasquet begin their ATP World Tour season in Doha. With a 32-player singles field and a 16-team doubles draw, the event boasts a strong line-up of players from around the world. Tickets are on sale at www. qatartennis.org and at the following locations: City Center, Lagoona, Landmark and the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Tournament Director, Karim Alami, says of the preparations, “The Qatar Tennis Federation is committed to providing the best experience for players, fans and sponsors and everyone can feel the excitement as preparations begin for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2013.”
Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex
www.qatartennis.org 44409666
Classical star sings at Katara January 10
WHY GO? Internationally renowned Lebanese singer Majida El Roumi will be performing songs from her new album and some of her best loved hits at Katara on January 10. The 55-year-old singer started her career in the 1970s after winning the gold medal in a talent show in Lebanon. She has produced a string of hits including “Kalima” the first Pan-Arab hit in 1991 with lyrics by the Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, and Ahenou Ilayka, another favourite performed many times on stage. In December 2006 Majida sang "Light the Way", a duet with international opera star Jose Carreras, at the Asian Games in Doha. Her latest album "Ghazal" was released in June 2012 after working on it for six years with great composers and poets. The album includes 14 songs, and for the first time, Majida wrote eight of them. The album is characterized by a musical mix between western and oriental music. Tickets are available online and office from Virgin Megastore.
Katara Amphitheatre
www.katara.net 4408 0000
Encounters with an artist January 13 to 24 WHY GO? Mathaf invites people to join an eight day workshop with the artist Bassem Yousri investigating site specific installations. Bassem Yousri is an Egyptian visual artist and independent filmmaker. Born in Algeria in 1980 and raised in Cairo, Yousri’s multidisciplinary practice ranges between creating mixed media installations in art galleries, public and street art, awareness campaigns, and experimental documentary films. Egyptian social and political situation, Human rights, cross-cultural dialogue, stereotypes, mass culture and the relationship between art and audience are some ideas that concern Yousri’s work. Participants on the workshop will explore the relationship between objects and space through conversations and collaborative visual exercises. Additionally, they will make mini installations expressing a visual narrative. The eight day long workshop (Jan 13,15,16,17,20,22,23,24) takes place from 4 to 7pm and is free. The workshop will be given in both Arabic and English.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
mhassan@qma.org.qa 4402 8855
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Wannabe pilots get ready January 18 WHY GO? This public fun day offers people the chance to see parachute shows, airshows and take a closer look at some of the private aircrafts in Qatar and the region, on the ground at Al Khor airport. Visitors may even be lucky enough to take a tour with the pilot. Aircraft owners from Qatar, the GCC and overseas will be flying into Al Khor to show off their machines and raise awareness about aviation among Qataris and residents in what promises to be an exciting and educational event. It’s a great opportunity for those with a love of aviation to take a closer look at a diverse range of aircraft from jets, to propeller aircraft, to microcopters and many others. Mr Khalid Abdulrahman Al Khater, Vice-Chairman of Al Khor Fly-In Organizing Committee commented: “We are expecting a lot of visitors this year, and more participation especially from Qatar where a larger number of private, medium and light aircraft owners will be taking part in this event from the GCC countries in particular UAE, KSA and Kuwait.”
Al Khor Airport
www.alkhorflyin.net 44723490
Revving up for the Motor Show January 29 to February 2
WHY GO? With 15,000 square metres of exhibitions space devoted to the latest cars and bikes, the Qatar Motor Show promises petrol heads a lot of eye candy during the six day event, starting January 29. The show features several hotly anticipated Middle East debuts, exhibitions, bike shows, test drives and a peek at some of the latest technology to hit the roads. Prototypes will be on show and there will be an outdoor arena for bike and car demonstrations. The Qatar Motor show is organised by Qatar Tourism Authority, in partnership with Q.media Events and GL Events. Follow the lead-up to the event for more information, giveaways and competition fun on facebook – fb.me/qatarmotorshow and twitter - @qatarmotorshow.
Doha Exhibition Centre
www.qatarmotorshow.gov.qa
Cherished Mahler is a rare wonder January 31 WHY GO? The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra starts its three-concert Choral Festival on January 31 with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, nicknamed the Resurrection Symphony. The MDR Radio Choir of Leipzig joins the Philharmonic for the Festival, which also includes Marcel Khalife’s Orientale and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Performances of the Mahler are cherished since they aren’t common. It requires two soloists, a large orchestra, a separate off-stage orchestra, organ and chorus. And you need a conductor that can handle its complexity and scale. Mahler’s music isn’t an abstract exercise. Mahler builds a kaleidoscope of funeral marches, plainchant including the Dies Irae, waltzes, folk songs and the tolling of bells. All this captures human suffering and joy at their extremes. Mahler wrote of the last movement, "The increasing tension, working up to the final climax, is so tremendous that I don’t know myself, now that it is over, how I ever came to write it." Tickets are available on and offline from Virgin Megastore.
Katara, Opera House
www. qatarphilharmonicorchestra.org 44548193
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SOCIETY
Business Sun-powered super car
The world’s first solar powered super car was revealed in Doha last month at the Qatar Sustainability Expo, running alongside the International Climate Change Conference COP18. The emission-free electric car, made by Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) and SolarWorld AG, can accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 3.6-seconds and travel up to 300-kilometres per charge. The adjoining SolarWorld SunCarport supplies solar power to charge the car’s batteries, allowing it to offer ‘supercar performance without supercar emissions’. Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri, Chairman and CEO of QSTec said: “We are here today to send a clear message to the world that solar energy is playing a major role in our global sustainable future. By showcasing interesting solar solutions and applications to our community, we hope to inspire and encourage our young scientists and entrepreneurs to explore new uses for solar energy.”
Maserati Success story
Five years since the Maserati launched the GranTurismo, the Italian car maker has marked the car’s global success (with global sales reaching 15,000) by launching the latest model – the GranTurismo Sport. The new GranTurismo Sport has been designed to stand out from the coupe market with aerodynamically efficient design upgrades derived from the MC Stradale. While its headlight shape remains the same, Maserati has fitted them with new lighting technology, including LED Daytime Running Lights. Capable of sprinting to 100kilomiters per hour in only 4.7 seconds and reaching 300kilomiters per hour, the new GranTurismo Sport carries the latest evolution of Maserati’s all-alloy, 4.7-litre V8 engine, boasting 460 bhp. The car is now on show at Alfardan Sports Motors showroom on the Pearl in Doha.
VCUQ opens Qatar House in USA
Rolls’ launches new show room
Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar recently marked its 15th anniversary with the opening of the VCUQatar House on the home campus in Richmond, Virginia. Guests from VCU, VCUQatar, the Qatar Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Richmond community gathered to celebrate this important milestone at the new VCUQatar House on the corner of West Broad Street and Bowe Street in Richmond, Virginia. VCUQatar Dean Allyson Vanstone said: “Fifteen years ago, VCU made a commitment to Qatar, to take our number one public art and design program from the United States and create a rich culture of innovation and creativity in Qatar and the region. The VCUQatar House on the home campus will play a significant role in supporting this commitment. It will be a meeting point for our students, faculty and staff to create and collaborate as we pursue the exchange of ideas and insights across borders of geography.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha celebrated the launch of its newly-expanded showroom in the PearlQatar with a press conference followed by a prestigious event attended by a host of high-profile guests and VIPs. The redeveloped flagship facility, which was initially inaugurated in 2009, has been expanded from 580 square metres to cover a total area of 750 square metres. This is a 30 percent increase in space to fit seven cars in display, including a new dedicated area for the RollsRoyce Provenance Programme cars, the approved programme for pre-owned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The new showroom also has a customer lounge, refreshments bar, and a configuration area to enable Rolls-Royce Motor Cars clients to customise and tailor their vehicles. Located in Porto Arabia in the Pearl-Qatar, the Rolls-Royce showroom is open from Saturdays to Thursday from 10am to 10pm and 5pm to 10pm on Fridays.
UNICEF calls for aid to Syria
UNICEF is urgently mobilising more than 100,000 children’s clothing kits and around 160,000 blankets, including baby blankets, along with other winter supplies for displaced children in Syria and surrounding countries. Ettie Higgins, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Syria said: “Temperatures are falling fast and we urgently need to get clothing and other essential items to the most vulnerable children, no matter where they are.” The blankets will be distributed to children and families displaced by the on-going conflict, the vast majority inside Syria. Health supplies that can meet the needs of more than 225,000 people for three months are also on their way to Syria from UNICEF’s Copenhagen supply warehouse. UNICEF urgently needs an additional $79.33 million to support its emergency response in Syria and the four surrounding countries hosting refugees. 76
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SOCIETY
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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Qatari Designers Showcase Talent Celebrating the new generation of home-grown talent, the Dress to Impress fashion show at the Gate Mall was a first for local fashion designers in Qatar.
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Fashion for a Cause Guests and VIPs enjoyed a charity fashion show and Gala dinner in aid of the Qatar Cancer Society at the St Regis.
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By Malene Birger Launch Fashion by Danish designer Malene Birger have arrived in Doha after the launch of the brand in the city, at a celebratory event in Lagoona Mall, which was much anticipated by style fans.
Creating Poetry with Perfume Pari Gallery in Doha marked the launch of a new perfume collection by J. Del Poso called Desert Flowers, with each fragrance inspired by a special flower: Dahlia, Peony and Lily.
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Rolls-Royce Showroom Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Doha celebrated the launch of its newly-expanded showroom in The Pearl-Qatar with a press conference followed by a prestigious event attended by a host of high profile guests and VIPs.
Style, Luxury & Power
Fans of the Italian Sports carmaker Maserati headed to The Pearl-Qatar for the launch of the new model, the GranTurismo Sport.
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Qatar Sustainability Expo Grand Opening His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, President of the COP18/ CMP8 Doha and Mrs Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention jointly launched the Qatar Sustainability Expo at the Doha Exhibition Centre, which ran alongside the International Climate Change Conference.
Stenden Students Celebrate Success Stenden University Qatar’s class of 2012 graduated at a special ceremony held at the St Regis Doha Grand Ballroom.
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Thai Festival of Lights Guests and VIPs marked one of the most important festivals in the Thai calendar —Loi Kratong, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Ding-dong Merrily on High Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and the sweet voices of the choir singing carols were enjoyed by guests at the Ritz Carlton’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
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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. 87
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.
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Duba i attendFilm Festiv s the D al IFF p 2012: Roz a remier e of Wn Ahmed adjda
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