Bahrain Edition
BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES
January 2024 | Issue 246
FASHION The Latest Dress Trends and a Focus on Genny and Rasario’s Collections
INSPIRATIONS SELFCARE Fab Beauty Essentials to Kickstart 2024!
Bahraini Artist, Mashael Alsaie, on her Installation at Noor Riyadh
PARENTING
IN HER SHOES
Ouiam on Steering Clear of Digital Dangers
Lakshmi Padmanabhan
www.womanthismonth.com
Fashion
Get the Dress-thetic
There’s a dress for every occasion, and an occasion for every dress. Farah Baig shares some of the latest trends when it comes to dresses and her favourite pieces from the Rasario Resort 2024 collection and Genny Pre-Fall 2024-2025 collection. Let’s face it — glamourous dresses will just never go out of fashion as there is something so divinely feminine about a beautiful dress. With brands taking on a renewed, creative approach through 2023, we’ve seen phenomenal dresses on runways and in ready-to-wear collections that are just hard to resist. Perfecting your dress-thetic would need having a keen eye for detail, and taking advantage of some of the fantastic trends we’ve seen in 2023 that are sure to make their way into this year too. Sultry dresses with side slits have made a big comeback and work well in all lengths, with floor-length dresses just exuding elegance. Large 3D details including roses, meticulously sewn out of fabric, have been adorning dresses while additional details such as bows, laced-up backs and frills have been taking designs up a notch. While form-fitting silhouettes aren’t going anywhere, we’ve seen a growing affinity towards relaxed fit dresses. Structured, tailored dresses with collars have been back for every occasion. Whichever you choose, we’re sure you’ll look stunning!
Cosmopolitan Chic with Genny Genny’s Pre-Fall 2024-2025 collection is inspired by the essence of the modern, cosmopolitan woman navigating the dynamic facets of her urban life. The collection is chic, and can take women from business meetings to art galleries, theatres, and events with ease. The collection has several noteworthy outwear pieces, but what caught our eye were the dresses which radiated towards glamour and femininity. The collection boasts a rich array of luxurious materials, including worked cloths, buttoned wools, technical and structured cady, wool gauzes, lurex pinstripes, jersey with rhinestones, jacquard tweeds, sequined denim, silks, crepe de chine, laminated chiffons, and iridescent velvets. While the colour palette features several shades of grey, we were drawn to the light lavender and avibrant lacquer red. Genny’s Pre-Fall 2024-2025 collection masterfully captures the spirit of the modern, dynamic woman making her mark in the bustling metropolis.
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Fashion
Rasario’s Roses Since 2012, Rasario has been creating spectacular evening wear, cocktail dresses and ready-to-wear pieces. The same can be said for their Resort 2024 collection which is sure to turn some heads. It seamlessly merges Asian and Gothic influences with a nostalgic nod to the ‘90s and 2000s. It’s a celebration of the semi-dramatic, featuring sultry Gothic undertones inspired by drapery and the symbolic beauty of roses. Redefining fashion with transformative silhouettes, Resort’24 showcases voluminous roses, intriguing cutouts, and understated teardrop necklines, offering styles from mini to maxi. The iconic corset silhouette takes centre stage, gently flaring into elegant trains. Sleek column dresses, ruffles, asymmetry, and abundant drapery, accentuated by corset inserts, provide a diverse array of styles.
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interview
The Art of Storytelling
Talented multimedia artist and photographer, Mashael Alsaie, recently represented her native Bahrain at the Noor Riyadh festival, which with more than 120 largescale light art installations from over 100 artists, is the largest of its type in the world. Farah Baig spoke to her about her love of the arts, her creative process and mythological inspirations behind her work.
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Pic Credit: Mai Al Moataz
orn from a curiosity about how we perceive and relate to the world, Ms. Alsaie’s intrigue developed into ways of capturing the world around her. To this day, she is an eternal student, exploring new materials, mediums and ways of making things. However, it was the subject of Bahraini mythology which really ensnared her imagination and put her on her path to international recognition. “My practice expresses a research-driven interpretation of Bahraini mythologies via text, image and glass,” she explains. “Incorporating themes of science fiction and ecofeminism, my most recent work explores water mythologies and, in particular, the myth of the Adhari Spring. My initial curiosity about Adhari drew from a childlike affinity towards storytelling, mythologies and particularly those that considered the land.” Ms. Alsaie’s Sea of Tears (2023) is a newly commissioned multimedia installation at the Noor Riyadh festival in Saudi Arabia that investigates the folklore of Ain Adhari, a desolate natural spring in Bahrain. “The process of creating my latest installation is founded primarily on research and writing. I began the work documenting the site of the Adhari Spring, then imagined sites of the spring in my series False Pools. Once I started exploring multimedia work, particularly the poetic materiality of glass, I could fully form my questions about the mythology of Adhari.” The installation uses glass sculptures and two-channel video to investigate the folklore of Ain Adhari, a desolate natural spring in Bahrain, through the lens of mythology, ecofeminism and oral histories. “The Myth of the Maiden of Adhari recalls the plight of a young maiden who is menacingly approached by a strange man in a palm tree grove and consequently wails in fear until her gushing
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tears are metamorphosed into an eternal, mythical spring,” she explains. “Although dried out since the 1980s, Ain Adhari remains imprinted in the collective memory of those who witnessed it at its most fertile. Sea of Tears reimagines the metaphysical transformation of Adhari from the virgin’s physical body into a body of water as a three-part narrative composed of sculptural glass tears and video and audio. Both elemental and poetic, the installation calls into question multiple parallels of transformation and attitudes towards land and resources.” Ms. Alsaie’s art career has gone from strength-to-strength, having been featured at exhibitions including Misk Riyadh, Warehouse421 and KBHG Basel in recent years. However, the opportunity to showcase her work at the world’s largest light art festival was an especially proud moment. “It was great to be in conversation with other artists, both spatially within the exhibition and also on the ground during panels and activations,” she believes. “Festivals of this kind are important to highlight talent in the region and it’s a unique opportunity to come together to consider other practices and ways of making. I was working on this project for more than four years, so to see it come to fruition was truly wonderful.” “One particularly poignant moment was when my grandmother visited the exhibition. It was one of the biggest highlights of my artistic life. Having recorded some narrative voiceovers for the project, she heard her voice in the overhead speakers, and sharing this with her brought me so much joy,” she concludes. To check out more of Ms. Alsaie’s amazing work, visit her Instagram @mashael.alsaie
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Race Regatta
Bahrain Martime Sports Association hosted the 21st Kingdom match Race Regatta at the BSMA headquarter in Al Jazaer Beach, Zallaq.
Christmas Gathering Joyce and Joel Indrupati hosted a Christmas Gettogether for a few friends at their residence.
Coffee Morning
Esky Dubois hosted a Coffee Morning at her Residence.
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BEAUTY | news
TRUE RADIANCE WITH CHANEL Start your year with a radiant glow and some luck on your side with Les Symboles De Chanel – a unique set of luxurious highlighters. With Les Symboles De Chanel collection, the Chanel Makeup Creation Studio has reimagined five iconic symbols as precious highlighters that will have you glowing. Le Lion, La Comete, Le Camelia, Les Perles and Les Chaines become three subtle and sophisticated shades: Warm Gold, Precious Coral and Pearly White. Offering sparkling shimmer designed to illuminate and enhance the complexion and your future. Illuminate the complexion and reveal the radiance of those who wear them.
New year, new
What’s the story behind this iconic collection? Well, the iconic Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel believed that keeping talismans close was a reliable way to keep luck on your side. These symbols that Gabrielle Chanel wholeheartedly believed shaped her destiny have since become iconic. Lions, wheat, comets, cammelias, numbers… She was as talented as she was superstitious and she surrounded herself with objects and symbols. These talismans gave her the freedom to achieve her dreams; inspiration for the designs in her collections, strokes of genius that led her to her most iconic signature styles and the strength to embrace her destiny. Available at leading beauty stockists.
It’s a brand-new year, and with it comes the need for new beauty essentials that will up our selfcare game. Farah Baig rounds up her top recommendations for the month, including two phenomenal anti-aging products that will turn back the hands of time in 2024.
YOUR ANTI -AGING SECRET AGE PROTEOM™ Discover the remarkable scientific breakthrough in cell longevity, presented by NAOS, the Age Proteom™ Advanced Serum. This revolutionary serum promises to slow down the aging process like never before, and is said to tighten the skin by 83 percent to maintain a long-term youthful look. With time and harsh external factors, proteins break down and all our cellular mechanisms slow down. Age Proteom™ is the only product capable of protecting this proteome: it tackles aging at its very source. Age Proteom™ leverages the resilience of antioxidant chaperone molecules derived from a quasi-immortal microorganism. This cutting-edge, patented biotechnology, developed by NAOS’s advanced research team, effectively preserves, and strengthens the skin’s proteome, resulting in visibly
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transformed skin. The skin ages twice slower, and all signs of aging are visibly and lastingly improved after just one month. After just one month of use, clinical trial participants experienced a visible transformation in their skin’s firmness and overall appearance with reports of radiance, firmness, evenness, density and less wrinkles. Being better protected, the skin recovers more quickly and looks regenerated with even better results achieved after six months of use. Age Proteom™ is an ultra-sensory formula with a serum-milk texture that is suitable for all skin types, and offers a comprehensive approach to antiaging, restoring firmness, tone, radiance, evenness, and density. Available at leading pharmacies and online at basaharacare.com and noon.com.
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BEAUTY | news
CORINE DE FARME:
A CHAMPION FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
You deserve the top of the range, especially when it has to do with caring for your skin. Say no to products that are unsafe and embrace those that are formulated with your best interest in mind. Corine de Farme, the renowned French skincare brand is celebrated for its gentle approach to skincare, making it the perfect companion for sensitive skin. Each Corine de Farme skincare product is filled with the goodness of organic ingredients.
HASK REFRESHES YOUR TRESSES BETWEEN WASH DAYS Ladies, we’ve found the holy grail product for fresh and fabulous hair. We all love that fresh, clean hair feel after a wash, but daily shampooing isn’t always an option in today’s fast-paced world. Skipping a shampoo day to make a blowout last longer or even protect hair colour is also a very normal thing for many. However, this could lead to flat hair, frizzy ends, or limp curls between washes.
This month, we’ve got our eye on the Corine de Farme Shower Cream infused with authentic Tahitian Monoi, which is renowned for its nourishing properties. It is specially formulated with a neutral pH to be gentle on your skin and provide an indulgent and caring experience. The shower cream is hypoallergenic, formulated under pharmaceutical control, and dermatologically-tested.
Give your hair a quick refresh and reset between wash days with HASK Dry Shampoo. HASK has four fabulous Dry Shampoos offering lightweight, ultra-fine rice starch formulas to instantly absorb sweat and oil and keep your hairstyle lasting as long as possible. Pro hair stylist, Camille Friend, swears by dry shampoo, which is known for refreshing and boosting roots. After spraying this fab dry shampoo on your roots, massage it into your scalp, flip your head over and tweak with an iron if you need to.
Available at Carrefour and glambeaute.com.
Available at glambeaute.com.
YOUNGER LOOKING SKIN WITH FILORGA In a world where our skin is constantly exposed to external aggressors, oxidative stress plays a significant role in premature ageing. Recognising this challenge, FILORGA’s experts have harnessed their knowledge to develop a revolutionary antioxidant skincare solution, HYDRA-AOX. This is the first-ever skincare formula dedicated to correcting the initial signs of ageing by combining the potency of five powerful antioxidants. With just a few drops, applied twice daily, this formula empowers skin cells to combat the harmful effects of free radicals, the culprits behind oxidative stress. As the latest addition to FILORGA’s skincare line, HYDRA-AOX [5] is uncompromising in its formulation. Its effectiveness is scientifically proven** and women who use it see spectacular improvements in just seven days. Featuring a potent blend of five antioxidants (Vitamin B3, Ergothioneine, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Astaxanthin) along with hyaluronic acid, HYDRA-AOX [5] is an intensive serum designed to shield the skin from external aggressors’ ageing effects and address early signs of ageing. Results include visibly smoother fine lines, refined skin texture, a radiant complexion, reduced pore size, and well-hydrated skin. This serum offers a complete sensorial experience with its non-sticky, non-greasy texture, achieved through careful selection and blending of emollients and humectants. Its natural orange hue, derived from astaxanthin, adds to its appeal, while FILORGA’s distinctive olfactory signature enhances the overall experience. The formula is proudly vegan, free from mineral oil, silicones and parabens. Available at leading pharmacies.
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Steering Clear of
opinion
Digital Dangers An alarming two-thirds of parents say parenting is harder today than 20 years ago, citing the impact of social media and smartphones. Ouiam El Hassani shares her tips for starting a conversation about technology with kids.
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s we’re rearing a new generation that will grow up almost entirely online, parents are met with a fresh set of challenges as kids interact with screens at school, play and home. Many don’t even know where to begin when it comes to creating safer online and digital experiences for their kids. It’s time we rethink how we talk to our kids about technology—and recognise that it’s not just one conversation we need to have, but an ongoing, open dialogue about how kids can protect themselves online. Setting parental controls on your kids’ favourite apps can be helpful, but having an open dialogue about technology’s role in their daily lives will take them much farther. Here’s your guide to getting the conversation started:
1. Keep it light and engaging. Start by choosing a topic that will interest and engage your kid. If you are concerned with how much time they spend online, realise that it may be more important to understand precisely how and why your kid spends that time online. Kids are first introduced to the internet through videos (as well as streaming TV/ music, games) or through school, and primarily through mobile devices and apps to start. Many apps are designed with algorithms and strategic gamification to suck us all in, and kids are no exception. Pick a device that resonates with your kid and start by using simple language to explore how your kid feels about it and explain its risks and benefits. Learning about the online platforms your kid uses and using them yourself can go a long way in instilling trust and communication with your family. Humour can be a great way to keep this dialogue positive so the conversation feels less daunting and your kid remains engaged. You can do this by acting out specific scenarios or using humorous examples to illustrate the importance of online safety.
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2. Make it age-appropriate. It’s essential to consider your kid’s age and developmental level, as younger kids may need simpler explanations, while older ones can grasp more complex ideas. For example, parental controls may differ for various ages. It’s tempting to depend on parental controls to help limit your kid’s online time or block certain websites and online activities, but the truth is that no tool can ever completely protect them online. Instead, it’s more important to become comfortable talking with your kids about online safety, shared family rules—and most importantly—why those rules exist. As kids learn how to manage themselves online, figure out a plan to reward them by easing some restrictions. If your kids are using social media, talk to them about how using social media makes them feel. Nobody feels great after being stuck in the “doom-scroll” for too long. Bringing this fact to light can help them recognise the impacts. It is also important to discuss what type of information is safe to share online. A practical way to protect kids’ privacy is by turning off location services for apps or changing the settings to ‘only operational while using.’ This prevents apps from gathering data on the places you visit. Lastly, make sure you are checking privacy and security settings on other devices, not just phones. Do your kids have a schoolissued device? Take the time to look into those settings too and don’t be afraid to ask teachers and school administrators how the tools and software used in classrooms handle students’ data.
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opinion
4. Model good digital behaviour.
3. Keep it ongoing. The internet can be a great place for families, but teaching your family how to enjoy the wonders of the web safely requires a degree of consistency in practicing agreed-upon safety measures and developing protective habits. Being vigilant in setting regular “tech talks” is one of the most effective ways to protect your family from online risks while creating space for your family to discover the world, connect with others and have fun online together.
You’ll want to lead by example so your kids know the behaviour they should emulate when engaging with technology. Consider instituting ‘charging breaks’ or curfews for devices for the family and discuss turning off notifications that prompt you to re-engage online. Screen time often gets a bad rap, but as we embrace a more online society, it’s helpful to re-evaluate the role of the internet in all of our lives. Implementing device breaks when the whole family should be present will empower your kids to model this behaviour. It’s also important to grow your own knowledge about engaging safely online. All connected devices are potentially vulnerable and it’s essential to understand the potential risks before bringing new connected devices into your home. Doing this research will model to your kids how to be responsible and informed technology users.
AWA Celebration
The American Women’s Association celebrated the Bahrain National Day at the Mövenpick Bahrain.
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bystander
Jazz Night
Gulf Hotel, Bahrain hosted a Jazz Night at the Oak Lounge featuring the AQ Jazz Band.
Welcoming Amir Khan
The K Hotel, Bahrain hosted a momentous occasion welcoming the legendary British Boxer, Amir Khan at its property in Juffair.
Thanksgiving Dinner
A thanksgiving dinner was hosted at the Sharabi household.
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last word
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
As a Marketing Specialist for Fakhro Motors, it has been an honour to be a part of the BYD EV launch. This has been an evolving journey through the past years, ever since I completed my Master’s in Global Media from the University of Westminster, London, UK.
As a child, what did you want to grow up to be?
An all-rounder. Learn several arts.
What’s one short-term and long-term goal of yours?
A short-term goal would be to excel and flourish in the marketing field, while a long-term goal would be to be an entrepreneur and create something of my own.
In Her Shoes Someone asks you for a travel recommendation; where do you send them and why?
At the recent launch of the BYD EV, we had the pleasure of meeting Fakhro Motors Company WLL Marketing Specialist, Lakshmi Padmanabhan. This passionate, dedicated and adaptable young . professional is sure to make her mark in the field Let’s take a walk in her shoes!
Japan, it is the land of rising sun with a combination of rich culture, fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes, and unique cuisine.
I don’t, but I would love to have one. Perhaps a puppy!
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My parents
Get creative with makeup or going all natural?
Mostly natural, occasionally creative with makeup.
What’s the most random thing in your handbag right now? Do you have any pets?
Who do you consider to be your role models?
Candy and chocolates.
Scan to watch the video
Could you share one exciting thing on your bucket list? To fly a plane
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advertisers index Educational Institutions
Restaurants & Cafes
Canadian School Bahrain
FRONT COVER
Hotels & Serviced Residences The K Hotel
IBC
Park Regis Lotus Hotel
9
Ramee Grand
13
Swiss-Belresidences Juffair
25
The Four Seasons Hotel
IFC
Medical & Dental Services Al Hilal Hospital Company
13
American Mission Hospital
31
Motoring Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes)
BC
Al Haddad Vehicle Rental & Leasing S.P.C (Bestune)
11
Bin Hindi Motors (Kia EV9)
4
Mohammed Jalal & Sons (Suzuki)
3
Book Launch
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Maki
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The Lanterns Restaurant & Lounge
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Contact us on: 35 325-388 / 66 988-311 anuradha@redhousemarketing.com amina@redhousemarketing.com
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bahrainthismonth
The launch for the book ‘Sustainable Prosperity in the Arab Gulf, from Miracle to Method’ by Jarmo T.Kotilaine was hosted at The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa.
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