Gossip13 by Aishti

Jun-Jul 2011

No. 13

Summer fashion exposed Eat in Beirut, drink in Byblos California’s rocking good time Surfing goes to the dogs

YOU DON’T EXIST UNTIL THEY TALK ABOUT YOU

Directory

No. 13 Jun-Jul 2011 PUBLISHER

Tony Salamé Group TSG SAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Marwan Naaman

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Malak Beydoun

ART DIRECTOR

Laurent El Khoury JUNIOR EDITOR

Tala Habbal

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Natasha Dirany

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Tania Abboud

Rock this town like it’s a club! Light the Beirut streets on fire with your hot, sexified bod and watch your peers run wild with jealousy when you set foot inside your favorite pub. Head to Byblos to catch live performances by Moby, 30 Seconds to Mars and The Scorpions and then stay up all night drinking and partying

in Byblos’ old town. Sleep in your car, wake up and hit the beach then do it all over again – in Beirut! You’re hot, you’re dangerous, you’re a superstar. Fashion may be fleeting but the party’s eternal.

EDITOR AT LARGE

Serena Makofsky

IN-HOUSE STYLIST

Mouna Harati

WRITERS Joe Daoud, Thaddea Davies LC Gates, Ziad Gedeon Lucy Gillespie, Ruby Gotham Veronique Loger, Michelle Merheb Sydney Reade, Marion Renard Shirine Saad, Ann Valente, Kristin Julie Viola PHOTOGRAPHERS Cobrasnake, Theo de Gueltzl, Tony Elieh Mark Downey, George Haddad, Christopher Memoon, Georges Sokhn Wendelin Spiess, Bachar Srour, Henry Tims Kevin Viol, Theo Wenner CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS Emilieh Kareh, Sevine Samadi, Anne Sophie Thomas PRODUCTION Fadi Maalouf, Anne-Marie Tabet RESPONSIBLE DIRECTOR George Chahine PRINTING Dots WHERE TO FIND US scandalmongering.blogspot.com issuu.com/gossip.beirut twitter.com/gossipdigital 140 El Moutrane St., Fourth Floor Downtown Beirut, Lebanon T 961.1.974.444 gossip@gossip-beirut.com

Gossip is now recruiting junior graphic designers. If you’re interested, please email your CV to gossip@gossip-beirut.com 4

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Gossip No. 13

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Blast | News

Citizens | Natasha Otrakji

DAILY BEAUTY Text SHIRINE SAAD

Lebanese-American photographer Natasha Otrakji captures fleeting moments of urban life A deer’s head lies before a fireplace, bathing in a reddish haze. A poster of a rapist wanted by the police floats on a glass door with a green band. A standing banner shows the drawing of a fire extinguisher with Arabic writing. These photographs are brightly colored and carefully composed, but they exude the gritty feel of a snapshot or Polaroid. The surreal images of seemingly mundane scenes of life are part of Natasha Otrakji’s visual exploration of the world around her. Born in Miami to Lebanese parents, the 23-year-old artist has been living in Brooklyn since she was 17 and has been visiting Lebanon once a year all her life. These travels have shaped her view of the world, which, she says, is an endless source of inspiration. “I like to stop and look and carefully choose what I want people to see,” says Otrakji, whose bleached mane of hair, dark thick eyebrows, purple-stained lips and mismatched grungy outfit give her the

allure of a glamorous gypsy. “Going to Beirut and seeing all the contrasts has really affected me,” she continues. “And then I came to Brooklyn and noticed that people also hang their clothes outside to dry, which reminded me of Lebanon.” Otrakji first discovered the color images of ‘70s pioneers William Eggleston and Stephen Shore, who took deadpan images of everyday suburbia, as a photography and art history student at the Pratt Institute. Graduating with an excellence award for outstanding merit, she interned at Lanvin, photographing the bright-toned bags and jewels of the spring/summer 2011 collection. An internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s famed photography department followed; there Otrakji got a chance to learn about the science of photography and the delicate task of art conservation. She held Walker Evans and Man Ray images in her hands and helped organize the Pictorialists

exhibition, which includes such masters as Edward Steichen, Joseph Steilgitz and Paul Strand. Otrakji is hoping to join New York University’s conservation MFA program in 2012, and meanwhile she continues to photograph fashion and personal images. “I will always be a photographer,” she says. “And fashion is so exciting. I will always be attracted to it.” Perhaps that’s a natural thing, since Otrakji’s mother owns an exclusive boutique in Miami, but her father, a doctor, would rather see her pursue a more traditional path. In fact he had planned for her to be a doctor too, but the young girl became interested in surrealist painting and chose another path early on. Even though she chose photography rather than medicine, Otrakji approaches her work with a serious demeanor. “I’m a Libra,” she says, grinning. “I’m balanced. I can do fashion photographs one day and think about issues of conservation the next.” Jun-Jul 2011

Natasha Otrakji | Citizens

Gossip No. 13

Citizens | Taylor Momsen

Jun-Jul 2011

Taylor Momsen | Citizens

THE GIRL IS ALL RIGHT Text MARION RENARD Photos WENDELIN SPIESS

At 17, Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen is a TV star with a music career that’s just about to take off You know her as Little J., the troubled and troublemaking teen vixen on Gossip Girl. All of 17, Taylor Momsen already has a successful TV career under her belt, and she’s just dropped her first full-length album with her band The Pretty Reckless. She chats with Gossip about her musical background, her TV career and her plans for the future. 1. When did you discover you had a passion for music? I started singing at the age of four, and I think I’ve been making a little bit of music my whole life. Writing Light Me Up took two years. Because of Gossip Girl, I didn’t have a lot of time to record, especially since we’re meticulous and wanted to take our time in writing good songs. 2. Was it difficult to prove that you were not just another actress trying to be a singer? Yes, because the public only knew me as an actress playing Jenny Humphrey. It was difficult for them to see me in a different context. I’m sure it was a shock for Gossip Girl fans, but they’ll get used to it with time! 3. Is it true that your father took you to your very first rock concert, to watch The White Stripes, at age 9, mainly because he was upset that you were listening to Britney Spears? No! (Laughs.) I used to listen to Britney Spears because I danced, but I wasn’t really a pop music fan. I would listen more to The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin. These were the bands I Gossip No. 13

grew up with. I loved The White Stripes concert, it was loud and everything I love. It was at this concert that I knew I would play in a rock band. 4. Your album Light Me Up is pretty dark. Is it a reflection of your life? Yes, it’s a sincere and honest album about what I know. The words I’m singing are mine, so of course, there’s a part of me in this album. 5. A video of you flashing at a concert was circulating the Web. You really are a bad girl! No, not at all. I was wearing nippies, but they made a big deal out of it, and censored my breasts. It wasn’t me who put it on the Net. It aggravated me. It was part of the show, and there was nothing shocking about it. 6. You agreed to be the face of the Parlez-Moi d’Amour fragrance. Is it because John Galliano has a rock side just like you? Yes, he loves who I am, and he loves my band. That’s why he got in touch with me. It was my first trip to Paris, when I went for that shoot. I’ve worked with so many people, but he is by far the coolest. I’m very meticulous when I work. I’m a control freak, and he’s the same. He’s an artist too. 7. How do you choose which fashion brands you would collaborate with? New Look, for example. As far as New Look, I chose to work with them because I really love their clothing even though

I wear mostly vintage and Chanel. I guess that’s just like most girls. 8. How do you get along with the Gossip Girl cast? I kind of do my own thing. People expect us to all be best friends, but the other cast members are not my friends! It’s always important to create good relationships with the people we work with, and there are no problems between us. There’s no hostility, but I wouldn’t call us close. 9. Who’s the better kisser, Chuck or Nate? I won’t answer that question. Sorry. 10. Jenny Humphrey’s character has evolved throughout the show. Is there a little bit of Jenny in you? Jenny is the youngest character in the cast, so it was inevitable that she would grow up and change. Each character tries to learn who they are as the show goes on, but it’s more apparent with Jenny. In reality, I’m very different from her. The one similarity between us is that she makes clothing and I make dolls. But our personalities are nothing alike. 11. Is it true that you’re going to leave the show soon? You should never believe rumors. The entire cast encourages my music career. I might be away for a few episodes while doing my album tour, but that’s all.

What to do | 24 hours

24 HOURS IN BYBLOS

Text TALA HABBAL AND MICHELLE MERHEB Photos GEORGE HADDAD

There’s really so much to do and so much to see in the scenic port city of Byblos. Beyond the spectacular ruins of its Crusader castle and the shady streets of its old town, Byblos offers restaurants, nightlife and shopping on an international scale. Spend 24 hours in Byblos: you’ll feel you’ve died and gone to Mediterranean heaven

10AM-1PM

HIT THE BEACH Byblos is home to one of Lebanon’s last remaining stretches of powdery white sand. Eddé Sands, that beautiful, sprawling resort, lies along that stretch, offering easy access to the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Spend the morning sunbathing and rollicking in the waves. But be sure to get enough R&R – you have a long day ahead of you.

is its Crusader castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries. Recently restored and well worth a visit, the multilevel structure looks over a Roman amphitheater and onto the Mediterranean Sea. Be sure to visit the small but fascinating museum located on the premises.

1PM

A LOCAL ARTIST Walk across the old town, from the Crusader castle to Byblos’ eastern gate. Here, André Kalfayan, Byblos’ most famous artist, exhibits his colorful depictions of old, rundown windows and doorways. The paintings capture the inexorable passage of time and exude a captivating aura of nostalgia. Kalfayan’s works are located inside his store and spill out into the street.

PORTSIDE LUNCH Exit Eddé Sands and head to Byblos’ old town. There are many places to have lunch in Byblos, and we vote for Bab el Mina. Yes, this place has been around for many years now, but it really does have an unbeatable setting – in full view of the ancient harbor, with lovely glimpses of the fishermen’s boats coming in from the sea. All traditional Lebanese mezze are available here (hommos, moutabbal, fattoush etc.), but make sure to also order the fresh catch of the day. Nothing beats Lebanon’s celebrated baked sea bass and fried sultan brahim fish.

3PM

STROLL AROUND THE SOUKS Now that you’ve eaten, it’s time to shop. Byblos’ restored souk is a veritable jewel, with lots of souvenir shops and a handful of really distinct retailers. Visit Diana Ferjane’s atelier, where the young designer offers up her own take on traditional Lebanese wear. Also stop by Gibran’s Lebanon, a local bookstore that’s a cut above the rest, and Mémoire du Temps, a mini museum and store selling age-old fish fossils.

4:30PM

THE ALLURE OF ANCIENT RUINS After a bit of shopping, get into the town’s archeological sites. Byblos’ most visible landmark

5:30PM

6PM-7:30PM

WATCH THE SUNSET Sunset time in Byblos is a little bit of paradise. Head to the town’s recently built promontory, which juts out onto the sea, have a seat, and watch the multicolored sun plunge into the Mediterranean. No matter how many times you’ve seen the sunset before, experiencing it in Byblos is one magical experience.

10PM-6AM

THE NIGHT BELONGS TO YOU You’ve enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and now it’s time to get some alcohol in your system. Stroll down the busy cobblestone streets until you get to Barbacane. Enjoy a few beers here and listen to the live band. Walk back out to the main street and sit at La Paz, a cute little bar that specializes in white wine with Perrier and lemon (this drink tastes much better than it sounds). And the night is still young! Move on to Double You, another happening nightspot, and then to Bar o Bar, where you can knock back one or five shots of tequila.

7AM

BREAKFAST BEFORE SLEEP And another night in Byblos has come to an end. As the sun comes up, head to the recently renovated Byblos Sur Mer hotel, located right on Byblos’ harbor. Go to Café Tournesol inside the hotel, choose a table with a view of the Mediterranean and enjoy a big cup of coffee while watching the oldest town in the world wake up to life.

8PM

DINNER ALFRESCO The charming, intimate E Café is hands-down the best place to dine in Byblos. Customers come here for the great service, terrific food and incredible setting, smack in the middle of Byblos’ pedestrian souk area. The menu emphasizes steaks, and the beef filet is to-die-for. Cooked on an open grill and served with herb-roasted potatoes, the juicy cut of meat comes with a refreshing arugula salad. Finish off with ginger tea – it’ll give you a shot of energy before the long night ahead. Jun-Jul 2011

24 hours | What to do

Gossip No. 13

Citizens | Ian Harding

SECRETS AND LIES Text KRISTIN JULIE VIOLA

Ian Harding, the hunky star of Pretty Little Liars, dishes out the dirt Ian Harding sure knows how to push the envelope. On the ABC Family hit series Pretty Little Liars, he portrays a high school teacher who is involved with his student. Gossip chatted with the actor about how he manages to actually make his character likeable, as well as his summer plans and off-camera interests. 1. What do you consider to be your big break? I suppose Pretty Little Liars would be my first professional break, but I had a small part in the movie Adventureland that taught me a lot – as well as giving me my SAG card!

4. What’s it like playing a high school teacher who has an affair with his student? It’s always interesting and fun to play with this story line, because although the two characters are soul mates, there’s still that thin line between sexy/fun and pervy/wrong, so there’s that constant challenge, and I couldn’t be happier taking it on.

2. Did you expect Pretty Little Liars to be as popular as it is today? I didn’t! I knew it would have a built-in fan base seeing as the books were so popular, yet we (the actor, writers and entire production team) ran the chance of not doing justice to the series and that could turn people away. We’re lucky I guess.

5. Did you read the Pretty Little Liars books? I did, or at least up to the fourth one, but then [his character] Ezra seemingly disappears so I got anxious that this meant I would be out of a job and decided to stop!

3. Got any crazy fan stories? Ah yes, fan stories. Mostly people are very kind and polite when they approach me, and I’m grate-

ful for the love, but there was a time, right when the show started to take off, that I was literally surrounded and trapped by a gaggle of teenage girls. I’m okay with some physical interaction, like a handshake or pat on the back, but a hand up the back of my shirt I am not okay with!

6. Do you have any theories on who the anonymous character “A” is? Yes, but it’s always a lost cause to try and guess, because as soon as one question is answered, two

more come up in its place. It’s exciting though to see who in the cast could be responsible some day for all this “A” madness. 7. Do you and your cast members hang out together offset? Quite a bit, in fact Keegan [Allen] and I hang out at least once a week. There are a few others, but our lives are so busy that even getting a coffee together is tiresome! 8. What are your summer plans? Filming season two hopefully! I have a wedding and a family reunion to go to, so those will be my only times to relax. 9. What do you like to do for fun when you’re not on-camera? I love exploring new hobbies, as well as trying to polish up old skills, whether that be a foreign language I took in high school, hiking, meditating or simply eating a food that scares me. And sleeping. I sleep far too much!

Jun-Jul 2011

Dog surfing | What to do

KIKI TAKES OVER THE WAVES Text ANN VALENTE Photos MARK DOWNEY

So you think you’re a great surfer, right? Well you know what? even a dog can ride that wave better than you! You know that many dogs hate water, but not yours. Yours pounds directly, gracelessly into the waves, sometimes at her own peril, almost always to your great embarrassment. She sprays sand over small children and leaps across and over anyone wearing oil. And you’ve been warned by sexy lifeguards all over the beach with whom you would have preferred to have had a very different conversation. Everyone from old ladies to the bikini-clad takes one look at you and Kiki and hits the bricks before you can say “I’m so sorry!” How can your poochie make you look good for once? Let’s get her surfing! Here’s how: First of all, get a bunch of expensive doggy surf gear. You’ll need a specialized surf board – a spongy, soft dog board with a special handle for pulling your pup from the water (www.kintera.org). You’ll need dog board shorts and a tank (www.k9surfer.com). And don’t forget yourself – Quicksilver, Ray-Ban, you know what you’re doing. The point is, both of you should look ocean ready even if you aren’t. Gossip No. 13

Then you could take a lesson. They exist in some parts of California – but you’re in Beirut, so you and Kiki could try and wing it. You and your dog can go right ahead and see how she’ll do on her first small wave, then, if all is going well, just shove the old girl right on out there. If she can’t stay on the board, try again. Repeat until she can take the waves like the grown-up bitch she is. She can finally hang on! This of course means it’s time for hardcore competition. The Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition and Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon in San Diego, California are two such events. At these competitions, there are judges. And they scrutinize things like how long your dog can hang on, what kind of wave you tossed her out on, her maneuvers during the ride and whether or not she looks like she’s having the time of her life. Extra points are awarded for tail wagging and happy barking – which your dog does anyway, even if she’s miserable. Money is awarded. Doggy scholarships. Crowds, fans. Finally, doggie peace.

Kickstarter | Wireless

THE KICK INSIDE Text LUCY GILLESPIE

Kickstarter is the next big thing to watch out for on the Web YouTube revolutionized comedy, Facebook took social networking to a new level and Twitter canonized the art of concise conversation. Now Kickstarter is making its mark on the future of innovation. One of a growing number of crowd-funder platforms, Kickstarter has been unanimously lauded since its launch in April 2009. Glass-half-full startup junkies Perry Chen, Yancey Strickler and Charles Adler were inspired to offer DIY idea-exchange, allowing the public to directly take part in the development of projects both artistic and technical. “The Beatles were turned down by nearly every record label. George Lucas couldn’t find a movie studio that would make Star Wars, but as we marvel at the elixirs of skill and luck that have brought enormous fame to few, but endless heartache to many, it’s also worth considering…that a good idea, Gossip No. 13

well-crafted and pursued with passion, doesn’t need a gatekeeper’s stamp of approval to succeed.”

tighter budgets and that backers only get behind sure-thing projects.

Project-creators have full control in pitching their passions. They decide on the goal amount and the duration of pledge time. Once live, success follows the same rules that make YouTube viral videos – for some, like the genre smash-up Mr. Lif and Brass Menazeri: Hip-Hop meets Balkan Gypsy Brass, it’s about the story. For others, like the record-breaking Scott Wilson’s TikTok and LunaTik MultiTouch Watch Kits (a strap and case device that transform iPod Nanos into awesome wristwatches), it’s the use.

So why give? Kickstarter offers you the chance to weigh in on what you love, and how you think it can save the world (or make it groovier). More than passively watching a video or “liking” an opinion, you can contribute to the production of a real, live thing.

An all-or-nothing funding approach allows Kickstarter to minimize risk. Investors make a pledge, but if the project fails to achieve its goal, you won’t be charged a single dollar. This ensures that creators won’t struggle to produce the goods on

Oh, and there are rewards. Diagram for Delinquants, a documentary on the true-life, arch-nemesis of comic book culture, offers backers the chance to have their hand-drawn likeness represented in animation sequences. Crooners like Molly Coogan offer songs written especially for you. Or else, a mere $30 producing credit on Trebuchette will get you your very own snap-together foot-tall desktop canon, complete with miniature ammo to bombard your colleagues.

Style | Asher Levine

ROCKIN’ FASHION Text LC GATES

Asher Levine’s die-hard customers? Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Scissor Sisters and more! Asher Levine is a throwback to the old fashion world – a time when designers were expected to execute all their own draping, sewing and sketching. However, Levine’s designs are far from traditional. In fact, today’s most fashion-forward music stars – including Lady Gaga, Scissor Sisters and Dangerous Muse – have tapped Levine to design their avant-garde wardrobes. On the day that I visited Levine, he had been commissioned by the Black Eyed Peas to create the outfits for their upcoming American Idol appearance. The concept was French Revolution, and Levine spun this period-inspired theme into a chic, futuristic look. Levine’s become the go-to designer for those out-of-the-box fashion-lovers who aren’t afraid to

make a statement and play with experimental silhouettes. He is, of course, the brain behind Lady Gaga’s white leather straightjacket that made international headlines.

Levine had developed a cult following of nightlife personalities from the club scene. Only a few months later, Levine launched his first collection – a line of edgy, often abstract, garments for men.

Levine’s penchant for design started at an early age. At 10, his mom put him in a sewing class, and he decided to stick with it. “I joined a sewing club, and it was kind of my dark secret,” says Levine.

It didn’t take long for artists to call with requests for custom designs. He has since designed for a slew of celebrities, from figure skater Johnny Weir to comedian Pam Ann.

While most budding designers apply to art school, Levine decided to take a different path. He understood that fashion is, above all, a business, and so he moved to New York to complete a degree in managerial entrepreneurship at Pace University. During his time in school, he lived in the West Village with five roommates and began making clothes in his basement. By the time he graduated,

There’s no telling what will come next for Levine and where his imagination will lead him. “I would like to do women too. We designed for Lady Gaga. One lady down and a couple of million to go,” says Levine.

Jun-Jul 2011

Asher Levine | Style

Gossip No. 13

Style | Capsule collection

A FASHION IMPULSE Text SHIRINE SAAD

Check out Matthew Williamson’s hot, hot, hot collection for Macy’s

We live in an age where high and low increasingly fuse: designers creating coke bottles and H&M collections, artists making T-shirts, couturiers decorating hotel rooms. They call it “masstige.” Often the result is quite exciting for those with a taste for high fashion but no couture budget. This spring, just in time for the wild Studio 54 trend, Matthew Williamson unveiled his capsule collection for Macy’s. The deal: Williamson’s signature bright neo-hippie dresses, scarves and blouses for $50 to $150; there are also leather and suede jackets for $300. “The collection aims to capture the essence of the mainline brand, with a focus on effortless glamour, dynamic prints, loosely structured silhouettes and pops of strong color,” says Williamson. The designer created colorful prints on dresses, scarves and a trench, a striped sweater, several miniskirts, asymmetrical dresses, denim vests and leather biker jackets.

“Matthew’s creations are seductive and sophisticated, yet unconventional,” says Nicole Fischelis, Macy’s group vice president and fashion director. “He’s taken what’s best from his runway collection and infused it into his creation for Macy’s. His use of color will take you back to the ‘70s disco era.” Williamson’s 30-piece collection launched last April in 225 stores and on macys.com. Dree Hemingway, the legendary writer’s great-granddaughter and an up-and-coming indie beauty, models Williamson’s flowing clothes in the ad campaign. This is Macy’s second collaboration with designers for the Impulse contemporary section, aimed at attracting younger customers to their floors. Last season British designer Kinder Aggugini, signed the debut line. Next season, Karl Lagerfeld is the guest designer.

Style | Poupée Couture

CHEEKY VIXEN Text VERONIQUE LOGER

Poupée Couture is Roula Ghalayini’s sought-after handbag brand

Ever looked at a radiator cover and felt inspired? Pairing this arabesque pattern with her interpretation of the Arab woman, Roula Ghalayini has created a sought-after handbag brand called Poupée Couture that can be found in stores from Lebanon and Dubai to Cairo, Riyadh and Doha. Returning to Lebanon from Cyprus 10 years ago, Ghalayini felt “anything but Lebanese.” She saw Lebanese women as calculating and far from her

spontaneous self. This observation soon took shape in a handbag. Her first for-sale creation was a sober color of leather that had been cut into “shredded” strips to reveal a vibrant satin color underneath. “The lines are calculated like the woman,” says Ghalayini, “but then there’s this flash of flamboyant color – her personality – wanting to peek out.” Next, she designed the radiator-cover-inspired arabesque grid to form a window onto this personality. “It’s like a privacy screen that doesn’t shield everything com-

pletely,” she says of the metal design that is placed over bright-colored satin, layering various grids to illustrate the Arab woman’s multiple dimensions. Ghalayini’s most recent addition to Poupée Couture is her Little Miss range. Little Miss Sahira (party animal), Dalouah (spoilt brat) and Khalsa (crazy person) have been sewn with sequins in Arabic onto tiny evening bags, turning the Little Miss brand into something less child-like and more cheeky vixen. Jun-Jul 2011

miu miu | Style

BRAVE MIU WORLD Text LAURE AMBROISE

From sketch to catwalk, take a behind-the-scenes peek at miu miu’s dazzling spring/summer 2011 collection RUNWAY

Ultra-feminine, the miu miu silhouette features pleated, knee-length dresses, oversized T-shirts, skirts and leather blouses with exaggerated volumes.

INSPIRATION

The miu miu collection is visually stimulating and captures society’s obsession with celebrity. Stars, flowers, snakes and embroidered prints make the collection theatrical.

SKETCHES

ACCESSORIES

Hot, metallic leather clutches decked out in flowers and stars and multicolored, sky-high leather heels are this season’s hottest musthave accessories.

SOUNDTRACK

Musical inspiration: DJ Frederic Sanchez, “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Grieg, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor, “Hey Hey We Are Not the Monkees” by The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu.

CLOSE UP

miu miu’s style trends of the season include thin, neon belts, pleated multicolored silk, leather tassles, animal drawings, spiraled embroidery, stars and big shoulder pads inpired by Elvis Presley.

BANG BANG

Actresses Lea Sedoux, Mia Wasikowska and Dakota Fanning were just a few of the stars who attended miu miu’s trunk show.

Gossip No. 13

BACKSTAGE MAKEUP

The look: bold, black eyeliner, pouty red lips and messy, totally uncoiffed hair

ISLAND GURL Styling EMILIE KAREH Photos THEO WENNER

Pinko pants, Cheap Monday T-shirt and House of Holland earrings

Jun-Jul 2011

Jeremy Scott for Linda Farrow sunglasses

Agent Provocateur dress, DKNY tank top and Chanel sandals

Gossip No. 13

Boss Orange dress, miu miu jacket and Chanel bracelet

Jun-Jul 2011

Just Cavalli swimsuit, Jeremy Scott for Linda Farrow sunglasses and Pamela Love ring

Tory Burch top, Diane von Furstenberg shorts, Chanel sandals and Olympia Le-Tan bag

Gossip No. 13

SHAKE YOUR POM-POMS Photos HENRY TIMS Styling ANNE SOPHIE THOMAS

Vintage sweatshirt, Diesel shorts, Feiyue sneakers and American Apparel socks

Jun-Jul 2011

Gossip No. 13

This page: Diesel shirt, Isabel Marant tank, True Religion shorts and Pataugas sneakers Opposite page: Isabel Marant top and True Religion shorts

Jun-Jul 2011

Gossip No. 13

Jun-Jul 2011

This page: D&G bathing suit, Rock & Republic vest, Converse sneakers and vintage cap Opposite page: D&G bathing suit, Zadig & Voltaire shorts, Current/Elliott shirt and Pierre Hardy sneakers

Gossip No. 13

Jun-Jul 2011

This page: Theory sweater, Hudson shorts, Converse sneakers and Dolce & Gabbana earrings Opposite page: Pull In bathing suit and Current/ Elliott shirt

Gossip No. 13

Style | Runways

RUNWAY THE REAL WAY Styling MOUNA HARATI Photos TONY ELIEH

Who says us real girls can’t rock runway looks without breaking the bank? It’s never been easier to translate runway trends into everyday looks

Dolce & Gabbana glam

Reality look: Lolita Laca dress, LL848,000; Tory Burch bag, LL593,000; Bottega Veneta shoes, LL975,000; Madame Rêve bracelet, LL405,000; Bottega Veneta sunglasses, LL636,000

RUNWAY

REALITY

Neil Barrett au naturel

RUNWAY

REALITY

Reality look: Diesel top, LL144,000; Armani Jeans shorts, LL3,110,000; Armani Jeans jacket, LL6,590,000; D&G shoes, LL540,000 Jun-Jul 2011

Runways | Style

Bold Burberry

RUNWAY

Reality look: Prada pants, LL546,000; Gucci jacket, LL6,647,000; Neil Barrett T-shirt, LL288,000; Burberry sandals, LL930,000; Ray-Ban sunglasses, stylist’s own

REALITY

Daringly Dsquared

Reality look: miu miu sweater, LL962,000; Akiko Ogawa shirt, LL1,181,000; Current/ Elliott + Marni shorts, LL621,000; Chloé bag, LL1,395,000; Gucci sunglasses, LL530,000; Prada shoes, LL998,000 Gossip No. 13

RUNWAY

REALITY

Style | Shots

WE’VE GOT SOLE Text TALA HABBAL

Diane von Furstenberg

Elizabeth & James

LEIFSDOTTIR

TORY BURCH

Iconic wrap dresses are no longer the only must-have item from chic label Diane Von Furstenberg, which was reborn in 1997 after a long hiatus and has since branched out into handbags, accessories and footwear. The spring/ summer 2011 shoe collection runs the gamut from clogs and gladiators, to pastel-colored wrap sandals and ‘70s-inspired wedges in various colors.

It seems that anything that MaryKate and Ashley Olsen touch turns to gold. The twin sisters have recently added shoes to their already successful Elizabeth & James line. The ultra-funky spring/ summer 2011 collection offers a range of open-toe wedges, snakeskin platform pumps and gladiator platform sandals.

Just in time for spring, hip Scandinavian brand Leifsdottir has added a new line of cool urban footwear to its portfolio. Launched in 2008 by designer Johanna Uurasjarvi, the label offers a 24-pair footwear collection that includes cool sculptural wedges in pythonprint leather, strappy platforms and chunky-heeled sandals.

Since its launch in 2004, American brand Tory Burch has been one of the most coveted brands among celebrity fashionistas. The label offers clothing, handbags and best-selling ballet flats. Although the comfortable ballerinas are still a core part of the collection, the shoe line has since expanded to include strappy sandals, cork wedges and sexy wooden platforms.

TRUE RELIGION

Kors Michael Kors

HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 OF CALIFORNIA

Established in 2002 by Jeffrey Lubell, premium denim brand True Religion quickly filled a niche in the high-end denim market and became famous for its vintage-inspired jeans with large back pockets and thick white stitching. Their spring/summer 2011 women’s footwear collection showcases quirky cutout wedges, leather gladiators and strappy wedge sandals.

Since launching his namesake label in 1981, American designer Michael Kors has established himself as one of the most prominent and successful figures in American sportswear. The Kors Michael Kors shoe collection stays true to the designer’s classic American style with sky-high raffia sandals, wedge rope espadrilles and leather thong sandals.

Leave it to über-trendy Nicole Richie to bring her bohemian sense of style to a new line of footwear. After the success of her House of Harlow jewelry and sunglasses lines, Richie launched House of Harlow 1960, a collection of caged wedge sandals, straw flats and bright peep-toe pumps that are just as trendy and innovative as the woman behind the label.

COLORS

This fun and quirky Italian brand embodies a playful vibe, with a collection of colorful ballerinas, fun jelly flip-flops and cool cork wedges. The spring/summer 2011 Colors of California collection is bright and bold with new elements such as organic soles, raffia, Lycra, metal, cork and denim incorporated into the designs. Jun-Jul 2011

Denim | Style

DIESEL DUST Stylist ANNA QUÉROUIL Photos THEO DE GUELTZL

Diesel jeans and bag, Harpo turquoise necklace, Dary’s coral necklace, Vanessa Bruno scarf (on bag) and vintage top and belt

Diesel jeans, Surface to Air belt, Harpo necklace and vintage top

Diesel jeans, Dary’s necklace, Alfred Shaheen top and vintage belt

Le Temps des Cerises top, Diesel jeans and Harpo necklace

Gossip No. 13

Style | Trends

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PROM Styling SEVINE SAMADI Photos BACHAR SROUR

John Varvatos shirt, LL360,000; Façonnable jeans, LL540,000; Balenciaga loafers, LL870,000

Alice + Olivia skirt,LL675,000; VJC Versace shirt, LL495,000; Oscar de la Renta sandals, LL1,493,000; Juno Fui cuff, LL585,000

Helmut Lang jacket, LL1,253,000; Twenty Cluny dress, LL 945,000; Moschino bag, LL1,298,000; Prada shoes, LL930,000

Alice + Olivia skirt, LL1,013,000; Alice + Olivia top, LL810,000; René Caovilla sandals, LL1,945,000; Ela Stone earrings, LL195,000; Ela Stone necklace, LL368,000

D&G blazer, LL1,260,000; Incotex jeans, LL570,000; John Varvatos T-shirt, LL143,000; model’s own shoes

Hervé Léger dress, LL5,265,000; miu miu sandals, LL980,000; Dries Van Noten necklace (worn as a bracelet), LL1,178,000

Jun-Jul 2011

Trends | Style

Alice + Olivia dress, LL443,000; Prada shoes, LL1,433,000; Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, LL518,000; Marni earrings, LL585,000

Helmut Lang jacket, LL1,343,000; Helmut Lang shorts, LL1,100,000; miu miu shoes, LL1,650,000; Oscar de la Renta cuff, LL1,260,000

Hartford shirt, LL270,000; D&G pants, LL720,000; Bottega Veneta shoes, LL870,000

Dries Van Noten top, LL2,092,000; Pucci pants, LL1,830,000; Camilla Skovgaard shoes, LL788,000

miu miu dress, LL3,375,000; model’s own ballerinas

Camilla and Marc dress, LL1,410,000; Prada shoes, LL930,000

All items are available at Aïzone. Gossip No. 13

Style | Shopping

SOUTHERN BELLE Styling MOUNA HARATI

2. 3.

10.

6. 12. 13.

7. 9. 11.

16.

17.

14. 18.

15.

23. 22.

24.

19.

21.

20. 25.

26. 28. 27.

1. miu miu bag 2. Marni sunglasses 3. Marni bracelets 4. Jerome Dreyfus bag 5. Emilio Pucci jacket 6. Etro bracelet 7. Maison Martin Margiela boots 8. Citizens of Humanity shorts 9. Iceberg swimsuit 10. Santoni shoes 11. Corneliani belt 12. Michael Kors bag 13. Casadei boots 14. Balenciaga bag 15. B Low the Belt belt 16. D&G skirt 17. Jimmy Choo bag 18. Dior ring 19. Etro hat 20. Iceberg bracelet 21. ChloĂŠ top 22. Diane von Furstenberg swimsuit 23. Ela Stone necklace 24. Jimmy Choo shoes 25. Etro shirt 26. Marni shoes 27. Ela Stone bracelet 28. D&G sunglasses

Jun-Jul 2011

Sandra Mansour | Style

SEXY SILHOUETTES Text TALA HABBAL

Third time’s a charm for designer Sandra Mansour

Lebanese designer Sandra Mansour has kept us eagerly anticipating her next move in the fashion world, ever since she launched her first namesake collection last year.

sexy, short and strapless numbers, each dress in Mansour’s fall/winter 2011-12 collection is a reflection of the young designer’s inherent passion for drawing and painting.

The 27-year-old, Swiss-born designer’s third and most recent ready-to-wear collection is inspired by the photography of Miles Aldridge and composed of about 30 pieces of chic silk, tulle and muslin cocktail dresses with intricate embroidery and elegant draping.

The flattering and playful silhouettes manage to perfectly balance sexiness and modesty and have hit a high note with discerning members of the fashion community both in Lebanon and abroad. Sandra Mansour’s line is available in France, Hong Kong, Germany, Saudi Arabia, England, Canada and the UAE.

From one-shouldered constructed dresses, to Tadaaki Wakamatsu | Style

FINGER FOOD Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

Tadaaki Wakamatsu’s jewelry is sweetly sensational Japan has a sweet sensation in designer Tadaaki Wakamatsu. The ex-model moved beyond life in front of the camera, to design accessories under the label Q-Pot. But these are not merely glittery baubles. Q-pot’s food-inspired charms recall Andy Warhol’s pop art pieces. A ring features a swirl of whipped cream, a bracelet charm entices with a stuffed macaroon and a chain of faux popcorn functions as a necklace. If Wakamatsu’s beads, charms and chains make some people laugh in surprise, all the better. He wants his design work to spark conversation. One innovative piece has people talking. A make-your-own-hamburger set features charms in the shapes of buns, pineapple slices, lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese so that you can have it your way. This piece prompted W magazine to call Wakamatsu, “the wackiest and most hilarious jeweler in Japan.” Foodie gems are merely an appetizer. Wakamatsu’s Disney icon line features a black ring in the shape of Minnie Mouse’s ears, a tiny tartlet with the words “Eat Me” and a bracelet with two wee hats belonging to Tweedledee and Tweedledum. More surprises are surely in store for the company Wakamatsu calls a mysterious pot. “No one knows what will jump out of it.” Gossip No. 13

Love bites | Style

SUMMER PICKS All things for a hot, steamy, sexy beach lifestyle

LUSH LOCKS KITESURFING

DESIGNER BEACH

Orchid beach resort (where children are blissfully banned) is where it’s at this summer. Sip rosé wine in your designer swimsuit and watch the beautiful people flirt and mingle.

MIRACLE OIL

Monoi Tiare Tahiti oil can be used as a skin moisturizer, after-swim skin repair, tanning oil and even as a hair treatment.

Want to change up your usual beach routine? Skip the sand and head for the skies. The best place to kitesurf? Batroun, just north of Byblos.

Keep your strands sexy with Moroccanoil hair treatment. Apply after a day in the sun for immediate repair and an instant glow.

MALLORCA MYSTIQUE

Move over Ibiza, Mallorca is the new Balearic island that’s all the rage. Hit the beach, the club and the restaurants at this most glamorous of Spanish isles.

BEACH BUNS

A tight, firm, delectable derriere is guaranteed to be your best ass(et) this summer.

FURRY AND FABULOUS

The perfect beach accessory this summer? A tiny, loveable dog that’ll run up and down the beach and stick its nose into everybody else’s business.

PRETTY PUCCI

Pucci’s colorful bikinis are de rigueur if you want to be the center of attention at Eddé Sands this summer.

DRYING OFF WITH MARC

All the other sunbathers will burn with jealousy when they’ll spot you lounging around on a stylish Marc Jacobs beach towel.

ALMAZA ON A STICK KISS KISS

Estée Lauder’s lip gloss balm with an SPF of 15 combines lip beauty with sun protection. Re-apply after long kissing sessions.

CASTLE IN THE SAND

The Sandcastle in a Box allows you to build your dream sandcastle. This amazing toy comes complete with tools and a 64-page book of models.

Make your own Almaza Beer Pops: open a bottle, pour into your favorite mold, freeze for two hours, insert a popsicle stick, then freeze for two more hours and voila!

ROLL WITH IT JUST BAG IT

Get yourself into high fashion beach attitude with this green and white striped bag from hip brand Jil Sander.

Gossip No. 13

HIGH ON YOUR TOES ICE CREAM ALL DAY LONG

You’ve just got to get yourself a UCO Play and Freeze ice cream maker. Mix ice, rock salt and your favorite flavor and then freeze the whole thing in this ice cream maker. Take it with you and enjoy ice cream on the go.

Take a walk on the sexy side with Etro’s cork wedges. They’ll add oomph to any outfit, day or night.

Glide down the Beirut Corniche or the Dbayeh Marina in Moxi Lolly’s colorful roller skates.

Nightlife | Chicago

PARTY DESTINATION

CHICAGO Text LUCY GILLESPIE Photos KEVIN VIOL

The Hugh Hefner of American towns, Chicago has a long history of laid-back hedonism and has always been up for partying down. From gorgeously preserved uptown speakeasies, to tucked-away jazz havens full of celebrities, to the bright lights of the Loop, the Near North and Mag Mile, there are nights to whet all appetites

VISION Step inside and feast your eyes upon Vision, a converted Cathedral, now sanctum sanctorum of trance and techno. Travel through labyrinthine passages, trip down spiral staircases and get lost among the limelight torches that tease you through nine (yes nine!) floors of sumptuous urban gothic décor. Follow the thrum of the waterfall to the Dome, the epicenter where heavyweight DJs such as the Chemical Brothers and Paul van Dyk keep their fingers on the pulse. It’s worth it to take a break at the bar; eye-candy bartenders are eager to please with sleight-of-hand bottle tricks. Dearborn St., T 1.312.266.1944, W www.visionnightclub.com

DOUBLE DOOR A Chicagoan once told me: if you’re not having fun, you’re the asshole. For a real taste of deep-dish Chicago fun, head west to the funky, grass-roots district of Wicker Park. Double Door is legendary for highly intimate and thoroughly awesome live acts, from indie-rockers The Damnwells to the stratospheric Rolling Stones (seriously). Renowned neither for flashy décor nor particular comfort, Double Door may not be the scene to be seen at, but it is definitely the place to go to say you were there first. Expect crowds and lots of jostling. 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., T 1.773.489.3160, W www.doubledoor.com

Jun-Jul 2011

Chicago | Nightlife

HONORABLE MENTIONS VERTIGO SKY LOUNGE At the summit of the futuristic Dana Hotel, the Vertigo Sky Lounge is the ultimate experience in high-end pampering – all the rich comfort of a Swiss chalet melded with the razor-edged cool of a Bond villain’s secret arctic lair. The outdoor patio is truly the place to be: rosy-cheeked revelers sashay in fur robes, pluck Orange Creamsicle cocktails from a glittering ice bar and hover before vast fire pits. 2 W. Erie St., T 1.312.202.6060, W www. danahotelandspa.com/rooftop-lounge KINGSTON MINES Serving wings, ribs and smoking hot sax solos until 4am, this jazz and blues institution is guaranteed to get you on your feet with a stellar lineup of locally grown, internationally renowned champions of the form. Steeped in Chicago history (owner Doc Pellegrino marched with Dr. Martin Luther King), the place offers a glimpse of big-time legends (such as Mick Jagger and Harrison Ford) who frequent the Mines for good old-fashioned high jinx. 2548 N. Halsted St., T 1.773.360.5759, W www.kingstonmines.com THE GREEN MILL Driving up, you may not think much of this inauspicious hotspot, but don’t judge a club by its awning. Famous for its secret passageways, this erstwhile haunt of Al Capone has entertained sequined sophisticates since the ‘40s. Thursdays can’t be beat, with the standing order of big band swing. There is a “no talking during sets” rule that is strictly enforced; come for the Manhattans – and the rapture. 4802 N. Broadway St., T 1.773.878.5552, W www.greenmilljazz.com

THE UNDERGROUND At this River North HQ, the art of partying is precision-timed and executed by the best of the best in service, soundscape, terrain and celebrity sighting. Devastating libations are rationed out by eager young vets in short shorts, fishnets and steel-toe capped boots. Grab a Bombay General, and hit the dance floor, where experts such as DJ Vice ply their tactics. Don’t forget to scout for scenesters: Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am or LiLo’s former squeeze Wilmer Valderamma. 56 Illinois St., T 1.312.644.7600, W www.theundergroundchicago.com

Gossip No. 13

SOUND BAR Beautiful people abound at the dream within a dream that is Sound Bar; a shape-shifting megaclub. Imagination and perception are craftily transformed with state-of-the-art lights, moveable screens and projections hung upon an exquisite tabula rasa of floor-to-ceiling frosted glass. Bring your bikini for the Paradise Lost event, frolic among the gardens and lounge in the hot tub or come exclusively for the tunes. DJs such as Satoshi Tomiie and Deep Dish lure the beautiful people onto the floor with techno and hip hop vibes. 226 W. Ontario St., T 1.312.787.4480, W www.sound-bar.com

BOUTIQUE Amid Old Town’s folk and fair trade culture, Boutique is an urban oasis. Gorgeous Tibetan artifacts, stone and rich, lush woods transport you straight from Chicago’s streets to an astral plane of entertainment. The brainchild of Kanye West’s manager, Boutique is wholly hip-hop, offering both the first flush of blossoming talent as well as surprise sightings of celebrity veterans. Dress to impress, or you will be very much out of the Loop. 809 W. Evergreen Ave., T 1.312.751.8700, W www.boutiquenightclubchicago.com

What to do | Sex education

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX Text NATASHA DIRANY

French for “dare,” OSE is a new Lebanese organization with a bold message

People in Beirut are having sex. That’s a fact. So why is sex education still at the bottom of the agenda?

“There is a lack of communication among families and a lack of information among the population.”

“I visited one school giving a lecture on masturbation. One of the things they were saying was that if you masturbate you will go blind, and you will get a disease. The students were just scared,” says lawyer Eli Abu Merhi. “They were about 12 to 13. This is the age you discover your body – your whole sexual experience starts then.”

There is, however, an abundance of miseducation: the number of cases of HIV and STDs are continually on the rise – so are the cases of divorce, prostitution and unreported rape. Yet talking about sex and relationships still remains a taboo.

Abu Merhi is a founding member of OSE (Organization for Sexuality Education), a new NGO that aims to confront Lebanon’s biggest elephant in the room: sexual health.

“Talking about sex doesn’t make you have sex. On the contrary, it helps you make the best decision about where, when, why and how to have sex,” Abu Merhi explains.

launch an interactive, multilingual website offering thorough advice on everything from why-does-ithurt-when-I-pee? to the menopause. The NGO’s greatest battle will be introducing sex education into schools – right now basic classes are given at age 16, or not at all. Of course, there will be practical advice too. OSE’s experts, including psychologists and drama therapists, have teamed up with Marsa Sexual Health Center to offer cheap and confidential testing, medical advice and counseling. Remember: Google is not a qualified doctor! W www.oselebanon.org

To help you make the right choices, OSE will soon Jun-Jul 2011

Albums | Music

BLOWOUT TUNES Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

Lady Gaga BORN THIS WAY Elton John called this album’s title track “the new gay anthem,” predicting it “will obliterate ‘I Will Survive.’” Rolling Stone hailed it as “her own instant-classic club anthem.” It turns out that all the buzz and hype over The Gaga is well-founded. Like the best of Madonna’s music, these tracks have a beat designed to move you on the dance floor, which means you’ll be hearing these standout blends of electronica, disco and funky pop at clubs all summer. Second single “Judas” has a hard-hitting techno backbeat that borders on metal, but the vocals are pure power pop.

Gorillaz THE FALL This “15-track sonic journal” represents the pockets of time and the blur of places the British alternative music band experienced during its US tour. Singer Damon Albarn explains that the release, consisting of music created with iPad applications, was a result of “a lot of time that you just spend staring at walls essentially.”

Tyler the Creator GOBLIN The front man for teenage hip hop collective Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All goes solo with Goblin. Fans are worked up over Tyler the Creator’s music as well as his antics. He recently bum-rushed the mtvU Woodie awards and stormed offstage in a cloud of F-Bombs during his Billboard magazine gig at the 2011 SXSW festival.

PLAYLIST

All of Gossip’s guys and gals pitched in this month to create their all-time, absolutely favorite playlist. Download all tunes now, get down, get dizzy and turn

Avril Lavigne GOODBYE LULLABY Fans have been waiting four years for Canada’s powerful vocalist to release another studio album. A brief divergence into a punky chorus in “What the Hell” stands out among mostly mid-tempo sugary pop songs. The track “Push” has Lavigne wandering into darker territory in the tradition of Alanis Morisette.

your town into a club. “Fait Moi Jouir” by Patrick Coutin “Sprawl” by Arcade Fire “Douchebag Anthem” by Spoek Mathambo “We R Who We R” by Ke$ha (Fred Falke Club Remix) “S&M” by Rihanna

Foo Fighters WASTING LIGHT For the band’s seventh studio album, Foo Fighters went back to basics. They recorded every track on analog tape in Dave Grohl’s garage. The stripped-down approach results in raw power, at times amped up to thrash and at other times packed with grungy guitars backing uplifting vocals. Check out Foo Fighters: Back and Forth, a documentary about the band’s history.

“Drinkin in LA” by Bran Van 3000 “Young Blood” by Naked and the Famous “The High Road” by Broken Bells “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele “ET” by Katy Perry “Save Room” by John Legend “Just Can’t Get Enough” by Black Eyed Peas “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO

Bowling for Soup FISHIN’ FOR WOOS Rock band Bowling for Soup is famous for its theme song to the Disney cartoon Phineas & Ferb. This time round, there’s a back-to-the-band’s-roots approach. In fact, Bowling for Soup created a record label to maintain creative control. “Here’s Your Freakin Song” is a smart-ass tribute to friends and fans who demand the band write a song for them.

“Roll Up” by Wiz Khalifa “Slave to Love” by Roisin Murphy (Prebanda Remix) “Give Me Everything Tonight”by Ne-Yo “I Feel Better” by Hot Chip “Bakerman” by Laid Back

Gossip No. 13

Citizens | Leila Kanaan

POP, LOVE AND KUBRICK Text SHIRINE SAAD

Leila Kanaan’s films and music videos vibrate with warmth and sensuality Few aspiring filmmakers start their careers by making highly commercial music videos, working with massive budgets and dolled up divas. Yet this is Leila Kanaan’s story. At 30, she is the woman behind the image of some of the Arab world’s most important pop stars: Haifa Wehbé, Nancy Ajram and Yara. With budgets reaching $300,000 per video, she embellishes songs with fantasy worlds inspired by her love for cinema and the scenarios in her head. Kanaan cites Wong Kar Wai, Stanley Kubrick and Jacques Tati as major influences. “I like Wai’s sensuality, his warmth; Tati’s humor; and Kubrick’s perfectionism and sense of detail,” says Kanaan, who studied cinema at the IESAV and whose thesis film, “My Father’s House,” toured several festivals and won the best Lebanese script and best

editing award at Deir el Qamar in 2003. Following the screening of the film at the Né à Beyrouth film festival that year, musical artist Issa Ghandour asked Kanaan to create a music video for him, and her career took off. Kanaan now also creates advertising videos and is working on a feature film. “I have so many stories to tell, mostly from life in Jezzine,” says Kanaan, who splits her time between Sidon and Jezzine in the South, and Broummana in Mount Lebanon. “I spent part of my childhood locked up in our house because our Sidon neighborhood was too sketchy to go out. So I stuck my face to the window and observed the world; I made up stories in my head. With my sister, we wore costumes and created scenarios. That’s what I love; I love creating beauty. I love making people dream.”

And even though Kanaan’s personal taste veers toward Fairouz, Cat Power and Rachmaninoff, she likes to create colorful and sensual images around the songs. “It really makes me happy when friends tell me that they start loving a particular song after seeing the clip I made. It’s a real challenge to create something commercial, but with a twist.” As for her film, it will have a darker tone, with hints of humor. It will also address social issues, like the reality of women living in misogynistic countries. It will address an important issue for Arab women: how to break free. Kanaan, an example in courage and determination, might have a few tips for us on the subject.

Jun-Jul 2011

Pulse | Movie

SUMMER THUNDER Text RUBY GOTHAM

ON THE BIG SCREEN

MONTE-CARLO TV ingénues Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy play young women who head to Paris for their dream vacation in this romantic comedy. But things don’t go quite as planned on their lame guided tour. Until, that is, the trio ditches the itinerary and hit up a five-star hotel. In the lobby, Grace (Gomez) is mistaken for a British heiress and decides to play along. Then, presto, the “British” besties find themselves in ritzy Monte-Carlo. And that’s when the real (mis)adventures and romance begin!

A BETTER LIFE

BEGINNERS

Already garnering Oscar buzz, this powerful drama centers on Carlos, a struggling single father/gardener (played by the excellent Demián Bichir) living illegally in East Los Angeles. Along with his day job tending greenery for rich clients on the other side of town, Carlos’ primary goal is to keep his teenage son from getting mixed up in gang life. The prospect of deportation looms throughout the film, adding to its tension.

Christopher Plummer plays the 75-year-old Hal, father to Ewan McGregor’s Oliver in this stellar drama (with laughs). Hal lives life to its fullest even in the wake of a terminal cancer diagnosis, while Oliver is scared of happiness, jeopardizing his relationship with the right woman. When Hal comes out as a gay man and introduces his young lover to his son, Oliver is forced to re-examine, well, everything.

SUPER 8

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART TWO

Written and directed by JJ Abrams, this sci-fi/thriller is set in the summer of 1979 in a small town, as a group of teenage friends (including Elle Fanning as Alice) are making a super 8 movie. The kids happen to witness a devastating train crash, which is the catalyst for a series of mysterious and unexplainable events taking hold of the town. Could it have something to do with the alien creature that was found in the wreckage?

It’s hard to believe it’s time to say sayonara to Harry, Hermione, Ron et al, in this final film of the final, final chapter of the beloved JK Rowling series. The gang heads back to Hogwarts, and for the last time it’s Harry vs. Voldemort. When HeWho-Must-Not-Be-Named learns that the trio is trying to destroy his final horcruxes, the biggest battle of ’em all ensues!

FLICKS TO DOWNLOAD

TRUE GRIT

THE COMPANY MEN

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: SEASON ONE

ANTHEM

TRUST

SUPERNATURAL: THE ANIME SERIES

Jeff Bridges plays the oneeyed, worn-out marshal hired by Hailee Steinfeld’s Mattie, a girl out for revenge, in the remake of this killer Western.

What happens when three white-collar guys are corporate downsized? Cushy lives and relationships change big time.

Secrets, scandal, and, yes, fab fashions take center stage in this TV series about four teenage pals whose friend vanished the previous year.

A young couple, a writer and his pretty wife move to the chichi Arizona suburbs hoping to hightail it up the social ladder. If they only knew!

Clive Owen and Katherine Keener play the shattered parents of a teenager who falls prey to a sexual predator she met online.

Famed Japanese anime studio Madhouse animates the popular TV series. Jared Padaleckie voices Sam in the English-language version.

Gossip No. 13

What to do | Pop culture

TATTOOING THE WORLD Text SERENA MAKOFSKY

Jun-Jul 2011

Pop culture | What to do

Mexican artist Dr. Lakra prescribes the baddest medicine Remember that guy in the back row of algebra, doodling punk logos on his binder and scratching graffiti on his desk? That was Dr. Lakra, né Jerónimo López Ramírez, a Mexican artist transfixed by pop culture iconography, be it lucha libre posters or centerfolds, comic books or Day of the Dead demons. By age 17, Dr. Lakra – whose name loosely translates to “Dr. Depraved” – quit algebra and school. He traveled to Germany in 1989 and saw the Berlin Wall come down. He realized he could get by with squatting if he could transfer his art skills to doing tattoos. No machine or parlor was necessary, just the motor from a Walkman powering a guitar string to move a needle. The perfect sketchbook for practicing his art was his legs. He supplemented his income by finding books and reselling them, explaining, “There were attics full of treasures in Berlin...there were bunches of houses that looked like they had been lived in just yesterday, but the owners had abandoned them.” Now back in Mexico, Dr. Lakra continues to show a penchant for collecting found objects. He aims his tattoo gun at mummified hands, baby dolls and household objects. He rips pages from anatomy textbooks and covers them in detailed iconography. He begins with vintage advertisements, magazine pin-ups or even a classic Japanese woodblock print, and tattoos them with gang logos, prison art, hallucinogenic visions, erotica, pre-Columbian figures and Maori ritual face painting. The graphic rawness of Otto Dix’s paintings, the in-your-face violence of Chris Burden’s performance art and the morbid humor of José Guadalupe Posada’s caricatures of corrupt politicians as skeletons show up in Dr. Lakra’s installations, which sometimes fill multiple rooms in museums. For his shows at Puebla’s Amparo Museum and New York’s The Drawing Center, the artist attacked the walls with ink, images and wheat paste, interspersing site-specific art from floor to ceiling with his paintings, collages and tattooed toys. The result is a creepy labyrinth pulling you deeper into the artist’s obsessive surreality. The artist finds his imagined universe strangely freeing. “When I tattoo, there’s always an interaction with the victim, and that puts restrictions on the final results. The difference is that paper doesn’t scream.” Gossip No. 13

Nightlife | Cocktails

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR Text SERENA MAKOFSKY Photo CHRISTOPHE MEMOON

“Upscale lounges and hipster bars are mixing up candy cocktails” Cosmopolitans? As passé as Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte Incorporated. The mojito? Finito. After a crushing day of low-carb or nocarb, my cocktail is the last hurrah, so pour some sugar on me. Upscale lounges and hipster bars are mixing up candy cocktails, and the results range from sweet to shocking.

pseudo-strawberry Pop Rock candy scattered on the ring that bursts upon contact with your tongue. One part Vodka, two parts pink lemonade and a splash of raspberry soda make for a near-neon experience. Put on your leopard print leggings and channel Ann-Margret in Viva Las Vegas as you sip this cocktail out of a champagne flute.

For those who find chocolate the perfect accompaniment to anything, you can’t go wrong with a peanut butter cup cocktail. This combination of Godiva chocolate liqueur, DeKuyper butterscotch liqueur, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, crème de cocoa and a whisper of Bailey’s already seems over the top, but the addition of Nutella smeared on the glass rim veers this cocktail toward tasting like an adult smoothie, or a SlimFast shake done terribly right.

The Jolly Ranchers cocktail features no candy, but replicates its color and fruity sugar sweetness. Fill the shaker with three parts melon liqueur, one part blueberry schnapps and ice. Add a dash more color by spiking the drink with grenadine.

The ultimate girly concoction can be had in Pop Rock Passion. The magic of this drink is the

Some people prefer bitter to sweet, be it candy or cocktails. The Licorice Stick begins with pouring 2.5 ounces of vodka and .75 of an ounce of sambuca liqueur into a shaker. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass. Serve the drink with a piece of black licorice as a garnish.

Make the most of a candy’s artificial coloring by infusing vodka with Skittles or gummy worms. Separate out your colors, but consider ditching the lime, which imparts too sour of a taste. For a couple of nights, soak a handful of a single color of Skittles or worms in six ounces of vodka, shaking the mixture intermittently. Strain the substance through a coffee filter and combine with ginger ale for a drink of unnatural beauty. Every good drink deserves a good pairing. Follow up a candy cocktail with the new version of smoking candy cigs, known as Smoking Smarties. Get a hold of a narrow tube of these compressed sugar discs. While they are still wrapped tightly, pulverize the Smarties into a fine powder by slamming them on the table or crushing them under a book. Open one side so you can lightly inhale the sugary powder before exhaling Technicolor smoke. It makes the world taste good. Jun-Jul 2011

Bulletin | Wireless

TECHBYTES Text ZIAD GEDEON AND SYDNEY READE

RETRO TALK So retro yet so trendy, the stylish Sixty Phone by Sagemcom is actually a cordless DECT phone. There’s no wire connected to the headset, and the discrete digital display in the center is camouflaged perfectly. Ten ring tones, a directory and answering machine complete the package.

WINE FEVER Wine must be served at the right temperature if you want to enjoy it fully. Just snap on the Vignon wine thermometer, and you’re in complete control. The gadget gives you a pretty precise reading of the temperature in a few minutes.

LIGHT ON YOUR FEET Meet Adidas AdiZero Crazy Light, the lightest basketball shoe on earth, weighing a mere 9.8 ounces, i.e. barely 278 grams. This is meant to make you faster, jump higher and just be more flexible. Lots of tech wizardry went into building these shiny shoes. THIS BABE’S GOT TEETH You can take it with you wherever you go. The SuperTooth Disco is the only portable speaker on the market to wirelessly stream 28 watts of explosive sound. This compact tech tool can easily be slipped into a purse or bag.

TV TIMES FOUR AOC’s Aire black LED monitor features one of the world’s slimmest display panels. The embedded Screen+ technology lets the user divide the screen into four self-contained work areas. The built-in VESA stand can be used on a desktop. CANDY GLAZE The Moshi iGlaze 4 is an ultra-slim shell-case providing maximum style and ultimate protection. Ideal for the iPhone 4, the case provides cutouts for all buttons, ports, camera and the Apple logo.

LISTEN IN STYLE These high-definition, noise-cancelling headphones offer edgy, professional sound. The Soul by Ludacris SL300 headphones from Signeo USA were created in collaboration with Grammy award-winner Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. What’s more, they’re compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod.

ARE YOU READY TO FLY? Just $40,000 will have you fly your own waterborne helicopter. The superlight FlyNano, made of carbon fiber, can go as fast as 140 km/h. It doesn’t qualify as a plane, so you won’t need a pilot’s license, but you can only land it on water.

BLOGS

www.iinventedpostits.com

coutequecoute.blogspot.com

photosdemode.blogspot.com

This visual blog by Pratt alum Lana Bdeir is a collection of witty designs from various media outlets, including fashion, advertising, architecture and film.

This stylish blog describes itself as “insignificant,” yet it has some of the Web’s edgiest fashion, art, design and pop culture news.

This blog’s all about fashion. Loads of photos, updated on an almost daily basis, capture the hottest styles from magazines, ads and the street.

Gossip No. 13

What to do | Scandalmongers

SITES OF SCANDAL Text LUCY GILLESPIE

First comes summer, then comes scandal. Check out some of these locations, whose pedigrees in private dealings make them safe bets for those who want to be first on scene THE PLAZA HOTEL Every scandalmonger should make a pilgrimage to this shrine of extravagant extra-curriculars. The Plaza hosted famous funny business in 1958 when the late Elizabeth Taylor was caught in bed with gal pal Debbie Reynolds’ husband. This past October, even funnier business took place when Charlie Sheen got his tiger’s blood up, causing $7,000 worth of damage to the famed Eloise Suite (named after the popular children’s book). Stay in the pink-and-whitestriped Eloise Suite for $1,125 a night, or simply take tea in the Palm Court and keep your eyes peeled. Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York, W www.fairmont.com/theplaza

MGM GRAND HOTEL AND CASINO What happened in Vegas…got around. He may be back on the green, but golf superstar Tiger Woods got notorious game at the glorious MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. After spotting potential playmates from a perch at the blackjack table, Woods wooed them to his table at Tabu Ultra Lounge, then on to a SkyLoft Suite ($1,500-$2,000), where for an extra $150 the 24-hour concierge will sprinkle rose petals in your bathtub. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, W www.mgmgrand.com

ABC STUDIOS Passersby crossing 43rd Street and Broadway at 8:45am on March 22 dodged shattered glass as it fell from the window of an ABC Studios dressing room above. Inside, Chris Brown (singer and abusive ex-beau of Rihanna) was having a tantrum, hurling chairs and screaming obscenities after provocative questions from talkshow host Robin Roberts. Brown was quick to apologize, and ABC immediately issued an invitation for him to return, which means the countdown to relapse has officially begun! Tickets for Good Morning America are free and include a backstage tour. ABC Studios, 7 Times Square, New York, W www.nytix.com/TVShows/Current/GoodMorningAmerica

KAMOFIE FINE JEWELRY Designer Sofia Kaman of Kamofie Fine Jewelry in Venice Beach, California, believes that every one of her unique creations tells a story – presumably LiLo’s was a crime thriller. Currently on trial for the theft of a $2,500 necklace, Lindsay Lohan may be off the hook now that the prosecution has profited from the sale of surveillance video evidence. Find out for yourself if the goods were worth more than the five-finger discount. Kamofie Fine Jewelry, 1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, California, W www.kamofie.com

Jun-Jul 2011

Bullets | Green

ECOBUZZ Text ZIAD GEDEON

A conscious effort to be a bit more ecominded can open up a smorgasbord of possibilities to set you apart from the rest – and help save the planet! 1

1. GREENING THE DESERT

A luxurious spa property with fine cuisine and service, Qasr al Sarab in the Abu Dhabi desert is a great example of how luxury and environmental consciousness can co-exist. Heritage architecture, water recycling and intelligent energy use are important elements of this desert experience. 2. PURELY DESIGNED The Danes often have a knack for design, be it furniture or technology. Dorte Agregaard is one such designer. She captures motifs from natural landscapes and prints them digitally on cushions of all sizes as part of her All Pure Collection. Digital printing is better for the environment as it uses less dye, water and solution than other types of printing. 3. ORGANIZATION FREAK A tabletop herb garden? A toilet brush from the 1800s? Not exactly. The Pratonzolo Desktop Pen and Card Holder works as a dandy desk organizer, stashing pens, business cards and practically anything else you want. In addition to the eco-friendliness of the fibers, the green color and wood base are a good way to de-plastify your desk.

4. RUBBER SOLES

Buttero’s natural sneakers are amazingly stylish, and their rubber soles look like a sprinkles-laden cake at a birthday party. Truth is, the soles are made from recycled rubber using scraps from industrial processes. 5. CLEAN BREAK Breaksoap’s a modern, playful take on hand soap. No need to waste or contaminate a whole bar of soap. Just chip off one prong at a time and get scrubbing! 6. DRINK AND BIKE Everyone knows that biking is a greener way to get around, but this takes the cake. Walnut Studios has come up with a leather polo mallet holder for bikes in case you want cycle to your next polo game. The holder accommodates a six-pack of beer, no doubt to make the game more interesting.

7. IPAD WOODY

Gossip No. 13

Chopping down trees was considered as bad, until someone figured out that wood is the only natural renewable source. And now, even your iPad can benefit from a versatile wood cover that will keep it pretty and dust free. The Miniot iPad cover also rolls back to become a stand. 8. EAT YOUR WORDS Are you chewing on your pen in class again? Well now you can go ahead and eat it. The Edible Pen by Dutch student Dave Hakkens comes in five different flavors, from watermelon to kiwi, and even the ink is edible! 9. NEW YORK’S ECO FLAIR Bloomingdales chose its New York Soho branch to celebrate Earth Day last April. The Spring Ecolux Designer Showcase featured designer collections by Robin Brouillette, Samantha Pleet, The Battalion and Suzanne Rae, among others. The designers showcased eco-friendly work, making appearances to interact with patrons.

Music | Coachella

Jun-Jul 2011

Coachella | Music

ROCKING THE DESERT Text JOE DAOUD Photos COBRASNAKE

Feel the music at California’s Coachella festival If you have yet to experience Coachella, let me paint a picture for you: it’s in the California desert, lasts three days and features loads of music from some of the biggest music bands around. Yes, temperatures are scorching and crowds are massive (75,000 revelers showed up this year), but if you’re a music fan with a high tolerance for sleep deprivation, Coachella’s well worth attending. The festival, which was held in mid-April, has become the musthave ticket among globetrotting music fans, who battle long lines and a tough security system to experience the wonderland that is Coachella. Pushing unknown artists into the spotlight, while featuring some of the most famous performers in the world alongside the newcomers, Coachella is more than just a music festival, with freakish art installations and otherworldly stage sets. Yet, hands-down, the highlight in my Coachella scrapbook is the music. Headliners like Arcade Fire, The Strokes, The Black Keys, The Chemical Brothers and Interpol took the stage by storm, while daytime acts like Lauryn Hill, Broken Social Scene, Yelle, Two Door Cinema Club and Cut Copy hit it out of the park. Newcomers Warpaint, Ratatat and The National made for some of the weekend’s biggest surprise hits. If you need more than music to stay entertained there are many other exciting events at Coachella: getting sprayed with 24,000 gallons of water in the “DoLab” DJ tent, enjoying an array of large glowing spiders, watching the LED light shows produced by The Creators Project and admiring festival-chic outfits all around. As the weekend came to a close, Coachella left me wanting more. And while Saturday night’s jaw-dropping musical assault from Arcade Fire will no doubt be the standard to which I compare all concerts from here on out, it’s the magic of the overall experience that’s forever etched in my mind.

Gossip No. 13

What to do | Restaurants

SMALL BEIRUT EATS

TOMATOMATIK

Text TALA HABBAL Photos GEORGES SOKHN

Beirut’s a teeny, tiny city, with teeny tiny streets. And now, itty-bitty restaurants are the Lebanese capital’s new big thing

CAFE SHO

This hip Monot spot may be small, but the hearty fusion dishes, such as chicken satay with peanut sauce and fish with sweet chili marinade, pack a big punch. T 01.327.995.

Gustav

The wonderful aromas of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and freshly baked croissants wafting through the streets of Hamra are no doubt coming from this tiny, recently opened bakery and dessert parlor. Sit and enjoy the sweet offerings. T 01.747.199.

Finally a place that serves nothing but pizza, pizza and more pizza! This small, nonsmoking restaurant, located in Sodeco, serves a wide variety of pizzas, all with the special Tomatomatik pizza sauce. T 01.333.607.

GOU

Although this colorful and tiny Ashrafieh restaurant/patisserie has been around for a while, we can never get enough of the enticing menu offerings such as tartines, macaroons, salads, sandwiches and quiches. This bite-sized spot also sells a variety of gourmet coffees, teas and desserts. T 01.200.765.

SEZA

Tucked away at the far end of Mar Mikhael, this family-owned Armenian restaurant makes you feel like you’re dining in grandma’s kitchen. Its cozy size, adorable décor and delectable Armenian fare make it the perfect spot for lunch or dinner. T 01.570.711.

GOUTONS VOIR This newly opened bistro on Abdel Wahab el Inglizi Street is a bright new addition to the Monot neighborhood. The casual spot offers European dishes such as fois gras poêlé au pain perdu on its petit menu that also offers a changing plat du jour. T 01.333.644.

DEBS EL REMMEN This cute Lebanese spot on Pasteur Street in Gemmayze is both a small shop selling Lebanese delicacies such as debs el remmen (of course!) as well as a restaurant offering a selection of traditional favorites like foul, hommos and balila. T 01.565.477.

SCOOP L’HUMEUR DU CHEF This unique restaurant concept located in Mar Mikhael seats only 20 people on a bar facing the open kitchen and offers one daily organic set menu based on chef and owner Jad el Hage’s mood. T 01.565.495.

Health fanatics on the lookout for a good yet healthy meal need look no further than new organic restaurant Scoop, set smack on the intersection of Sodeco and Abed el Wahab el Inglizi streets. The bright spot offers a unique menu of light organic dishes such as hindbeh with fresh pomegranate, quinoa and wild rice as well as a selection of light desserts. T 01.333.882.

BREAD REPUBLIC

CHEZ JEAN-CLAUDE

Although the Hamra outpost of this organic restaurant and bakery is expanding its interior, it will still only have a handful of tables, making it one of the smallest restaurants in Beirut. Have the delicious fig bread. T 71.500.499.

This authentic French bistro cooks up Gallic delights like pates aux cèpes, steak au poivre and poulet roti. This quaint and intimate spot is tucked away in the alley adjacent to the St. Nicholas garden in Ashrafieh. T 01.201.190.

Jun-Jul 2011

Available at all A誰zone stores, +961.1.991111

What to do | Hiking

HIKE TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD Text THADDEA DAVIES

Tie your bootlaces, fill up your backpack and get ready to journey on foot through Lebanon’s spectacular backcountry It’s possible to trek across Lebanon in just a month. Just ask Adrian Cazalet, a 75-year-old British veteran trekker, who came to Lebanon last year to complete the Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT) Thru-Walk. This year he returned with his nephew to spend the whole month of April retracing the trail. The Lebanon Mountain Trail offers a spectacular trekking experience, and the backcountry scenery will literally take your breath away. At 440 kilometers in length, this hiking trail, extending from Kobayat in the north to Marjayoun in the south, bisects a large part of Lebanon, slicing through Qadisha Valley, passing through high mountain ranges and deep valleys, as well as 75 towns and villages.

It takes around 28 days to hike the entire trail. But the rewards are great. The scenery is constantly changing: from the lush-green olive tree covered slopes of the lower elevations, to the arid terrain further up north, to the snow-capped peaks of Sannine.

you’ll be passing through wild places, this is not a wilderness trek in the uninhabited sense. You pass villages and come across the country’s many different ethnic groups, as well as trekking past precipitously perched monasteries and towering minarets.

“If you want to see a cross-section of the entire country, this is a wonderful way to do it,” says Kristine Moore, an American teacher who has hiked sections on weekends during her stay in Lebanon. Food and shelter are provided along the way in the form of small guest houses run by rural families, so you can be assured of a bed and home-cooked meal at the end of each day.

In spring, the sight of the snow-capped mountains blanketed with wildflowers is hard to beat. You hardly see another soul on the trail as you hike winding tracks, following the worn purple and white blazes marked on rocks. After a steep ascent, as you get further and further from Beirut’s crazy rhythm, you come across wondrous sites, like sheep lazing under the sun, some even giving birth under the watchful eye of a shepherd.

The trail is also culturally fascinating. Although Jun-Jul 2011

Event mania | What to do

DATEBOOK THROUGH JUNE 11 BEIRUT ART CENTER (BAC)

THROUGH JUNE 12 BEIRUT SOUKS

THROUGH NOVEMBER 8 WORLD TOUR

JUNE 8-JUNE 11 SÖLVESBORG

STARCH YOUR SUMMER

BEIRUT MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL

KATY PERRY

SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL

Some of Beirut’s most promising fashion designers, including Lara Khoury and Ronald Adballah, show special capsule collections at BAC.

This exciting event includes open air concerts, acoustic performances and art exhibits, all in Beirut’s most luxurious retail space.

“California Gurl” Katy Perry is making this summer hotter than ever. She kick-starts the first leg of her tour in North America with 41 shows.

The 20-year-old event continues to attract the meanest rock and metal bands. This year’s lineup includes Ozzy Osbourne and Whitesnake.

JUNE 8-JUNE 19 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

JUNE 11 SWANSEA, WALES

JUNE 16-AUGUST 13 WORLD TOUR

JUNE 20-AUGUST 22 NEW YORK

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL

ESCAPE INTO THE PARK

BRITNEY SPEARS

BRYANT PARK FILM FESTIVAL

This year, the film festival returns with a slew of new flicks as well as the world’s first 360-degree 3D cinematic experience.

The world’s top dance and urban artists converge on Singleton Park. Over 20,000 fans are expected to flock to the 11-hour event.

Brit’s back! The phenomenal pop star is going to sing and dance until the world ends in support of her Femme Fatale album.

The annual outdoor film festival, set in Manhattan’s Bryant Park, lets you enjoy classic movies under the stars.

JUNE 22-JUNE 26 GLASTONBURY, UK

JUNE 24-JULY 3 CHICAGO

JUNE 24-JULY 24 WORLD TOUR

JUNE 25-JULY 3 MONTREAL, CANADA

GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

TASTE OF CHICAGO

RIHANNA

MONTREAL JAZZ FEST

The mother of all music festivals is back with a lineup that’s better than ever. Coldplay, U2 and Beyoncé are just some of the featured performers.

The largest food fair in the world attracts millions of gourmands hankering to taste Chicago’s finest cuisine offerings.

Rihanna is touring this summer in support of her incredible Loud album. Cee Lo Green is her opening act.

The 32nd edition of the world’s largest jazz festival features musical artists like Sade and Diana Krall.

JULY 5 BYBLOS, LEBANON

JULY 6-7 BYBLOS, LEBANON

JULY 13-JULY 16 BIEL, BEIRUT

JULY 16 BYBLOS, LEBANON

MOBY

THE SCORPIONS

MENASART ART FAIR

30 SECONDS TO MARS

Moby beat, Electronica’s acclaimed poster boy, is set to perform in the seaside town as part of the Byblos Festival.

One of the most prolific bands of our era, The Scorpions will play two concerts as part of their soldout farewell tour.

Now in its second edition, this art fair showcases works by important artists from the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

One of the hottest American alternative rock bands is coming to Lebanon for a one-night concert.

Gossip No. 13