LUXE VARIE MAGAZINE

L U X E VA R I É Y

N

E

O

R

K

MAY 2021

W

ROLLS- ROYCE PHANTOM

USA - ITALY - GERMANY - DUBAI - PUERTO RICO - RUSSIA

COLLAB WITH HERMÉS

HEALTHY VEGAN FOOD MERCEDES BENZ

FASHION WEEK RUSSIA 2021

L A R A TA B E T EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

FROM DUBAI

BORN TO BE QUEEN

KATE MIDDLETON

DA N I E L FÁ B R E G A S SUCCESS IN MIAMI U.S.A

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

HOTTEST DESTINATION IN U.S.A A T. M O S P H E R E RESTAURANT

BURJ KHALIFA DUBAI

CONTENTS

Editor's Note

4

Born to be Queen Kate Middleton

8

Daniel Fábregas Success in USA

Hottest Destinations for Memorial Day in USA

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Russia 2021

Exclusive Interview with Lara Tabet

Healthy Vegan Food

14 18 20 30 42

Editor's Note

Letter from the Director My whole life has been dedicated to empower myself and to empower others. Through the elements of art, beauty and fashion, I have been able to display and to share that power.

We are celebrating the birth of my magazine, LUXE VARIÉ, which is the latest celebration of the essence of those elements. Our purpose is to join forces from all corners of the world, and create something special. This journey will serve as a platform to display our ideas, talents and the unique elements of our cultures. This merge, will serve as a catalyst to create class and glamour.

I am Marie Llanos Llanos and hereby, I am inviting you to join me in this new journey called LUXE VARIÉ.

Marie LLanos Llanos Marie Llanos Llanos

luxevarie.com

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STAFF Owner, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Marie Llanos Llanos Editorial assistants Mirna Torres Kenny Ledee Photographer NYC Photographer Social Aytana Quezada

Fashion Columnist- Russia Anastasia Buteeva Collaborators Rolf Galvao Jayson Santana Peyton Castillo

CONTRIBUTORS Diana Mahrach, Geysel Vaillant, Kim Porter, Kate Rockwood, Diane Small, Daniel Fabregas, Keiber Diaz Sosa, La Fantutu, Ehtasham Saeed, Hotel Dusit Thani Dubai and Hotel La Ville Hotel & Suites Dubai Cover Model - Lara Tabet

CONTACT US Phone Email Website Instagram Post

1- 917- 768-2959 info@luxevarie.com www.luxevarie.com @luxevariemagazine 244 Fifth Avenue Suite Q225 New York, New York 10001

Lla & Gal, LLC

SUBMISSIONS We welcome freelance arts, photo, and story submissions .However we cannot reply personally to unsuccessful pitches.

The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any losses due to the use material in this magazine.

4

Copyrights. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stores or transmitted in any form without the prior written permission of Luxe Varié.

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‘Born to be Queen’ Kate Middleton ‘breathtaking’ in ‘compelling’ snap Photos by Phil Harris

KATE MIDDLETON

KATE MIDDLETON joined Prince William for Prince Philip’s funeral at Windsor Castle. Fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the Duchess’ outfit and makeup look.

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, stood on her own as she watched the Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin pass her, which was being carried through the grounds of Windsor Castle on a Land Rover hearse.

Prince Philip’s coffin was followed by his children including Prince Edward and Princess Anne. In-line with royal protocol, Kate wore an allblack outfit along with special pieces of jewellery.

The 39-year-old wore a stunning pearl choker which belongs to the Queen along with a pair of earrings also from the monarch’s collection. luxevarie.com

8

The necklace was previously borrowed by Princess Diana on several occasions before she passed in 1997.

It featured four pearl strands along with a beautiful diamond in the centre. Kate Middleton was one of 30 guests who attending Prince Philip’s funeral. The jewellery piece was worn by Queen Elizabeth throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Kate and other Royal Family members regularly borrow pieces from the monarch’s huge collection including bracelets, necklaces and brooches.

The drop pearl earrings have been worn by the Duchess on several occasions throughout the years, mostly for more formal occasions.

They were thought to be a wedding gift given to the monarch when she married Prince Philip in 1947. Kate also wore a thin lace veil which covered the top half of her face. The bottom half of her face was covered with an all-black face covering in-line with Covid guidance.

The royal was snapped looking directly at the camera as she sat in the back of one of the funeral cars. Kate was also wearing a longsleeved black dress which had a fitted bodice and a flared skirt. She paired it with sheer tights and black high heels. The Duchess was just one of the 30 guests who attended the Duke’s funeral. Kate wasn’t the only Royal Family member to wear special pieces of jewellery. The Queen wore one of the largest brooches in her collection as she said her final goodbye to her husband, the Richmond Brooch. Inherited by the Queen from her grandmother, the Richmond Brooch has made a regular appearance in the monarch’s brooch rotation throughout the years.

The brooch, made by Hunt and Roskell, was given to Mary as a wedding present in 1893 by the town of Richmond.

Mary’s family, the Tecks, had lived at White Lodge in Richmond Park for more than two decades.

The brooch they offered to Mary was made of diamonds set with two pearls, a large round centre pearl, plus a detachable pear-shaped pearl drop.

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How do you keep your legs when you’re sitting down? This is what your sitting posture says about your personality!

Position A People who sit like this are very creative and charismatic. They’re spontaneous and don’t think too long about the decisions they make. This can cause some trouble every now and then, but their natural charm will help them out of a sticky situation. These people view life as an adventure and are open to new experiences. They’re also very popular and easily make new friends, although many of these relationships are fleeting.

Position B People who sit in this position are true dreamers. They have a rich imagination and can completely lose themselves in a daydream. They’re very empathetic and can easily make contact with other people, but they sometimes put themselves in the background because of this. They are very good listeners and are strongly in touch with their own feelings.

Position C These are chaotic people who have a lot of trouble concentrating and sitting still. Their minds are always moving and they often speak before thinking about the impact of their words. They’re easily bored and have a short attention span. They shine most in a fast environment with loads of stimuli. In relationships they can quickly become disinterested as well, and they need someone who can push back.

Position D These are often very smart people who are good rational thinkers. They’re punctual, neat and orderly. Their homes are often squeaky clean and neat, and everything has its own proper place. They’re a little reserved and won’t quickly reveal everything about themselves. Yet they are very honest and don’t like to gossip. They remain calm in every situation and don’t easily lose perspective.

Position E These people are very goal-oriented and value their careers a lot. They place importance on setting ambitious goals for themselves and are not satisfied with less. On a personal level they also like to set goals, for example when it comes to health and love. They’re very perfectionistic about everything, including their own appearance. This sometimes causes them to lose sight of what they already have because they’re always aspiring for more.

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www.krycosmetics.com

Daniel Fábregas Driving His Business to Success in Miami U.S.A Daniel Fábregas has emerged as one of the most recognized designers in the country, with almost 10 years in the industry, his vision and talent, focused on high fashion design, has stood out in his own project that began as a preference has been for the Venezuelan woman and that today it is in the rest of the world.

At 33 years of age, Fábregas has already built a successful career in the market. In 2017, he managed to take her creations to one of the most important competitions in the world, by dressing the representative of Guatemala, Virginia Argueta during her participation in the Miss Universe. 2018 is witness to another achievement in Fábregas' career and it is when at the Miss International Queen held in Thailand, the piece made for the representative of Venezuela, Michel Epalza, wins the best gala dress. In 2019, he achieved the gold medal for the best evening dress in the gala prior to the final Miss Earth contest with a design made for Michelle Castellanos who represented our country in the international contest. luxevarie.com

2020 is the year where the Misses that ultimately won the Miss Earth Venezuela and Miss Ecuador Universe contests wore exclusive designs by Daniel Fábregas on the night of their respective coronations.

Although his objective is to capture some similar scenarios, Daniel also wants to demonstrate his versatility in designs that are framed in each season.

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Daniel Fábregas In 2016 and 2017 he presented his first two samples that were called Power Dressing (autumn - winter) and Rhapsody Boheme, respectively. In 2018, he launched his third collection called "Spring Front Row." It is in that same year, when the fashion entrepreneur managed to enter his brand into the most renowned pageant in the country, El Miss Venezuela. In 2019, with the help of its producer KNK Wedding and Event Planner, it revolutionized fashion business with its collection "Come Together", pointing out that through social inclusion no person feels that their rights have been violated or that their space in society is being occupied by another. The repercussion of this collection was such that it earned him an invitation to represent Venezuela at New York Fashion Week 2020. In this runway he had the participation of the International Top Model Ninoshka Vázquez and thus, the capital of the world witnessed in the front row " Come Together 2019 "by Daniel Fábregas. Likewise, it is in 2020, a difficult year for humanity, where Fábregas leaves his comfort zone and premieres his collection "Fábregas Work 2020" and showed something totally different from the extraordinary work that preceded him, a line of urban clothing so that high fashion can also be worn day by day.

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www.spfdentalcare.com 1- 908-322-3222

Hottest destinations for Memorial Day weekend in USA By: Kim Porter Memorial Day is often considered the unofficial kick-off to the summer season — and with C OVID-19 restrictions relaxing around the countr y, Americans are ready to make plans for the long holiday weekend.

“Now more than ever, people are itching to get out of their homes either alone or with their loved ones and feel alive again through travel,” said S ahara Rose, a travel coach and consultant and founder of The Travel Coach Network. “A year of isolation and (lack of) amusement left people hungr y for exploration and excitement.”

The volume of home-stay reser vations for Memorial Day weekend is 225% higher this year compared with the same time frame in 2020, according to proper ty management platform Guesty. Here are the top five destinations for Memorial Day weekend 2021, according to Guesty’s data.

Nashville, Tennessee

If

your

eating

ideal

Memorial

barbecue

spaces,

and

Nashville’s

got

Day

weekend

exploring plenty

involves

natural

of

both.

green

Pick

up

your Martin’s Bar-B-Que-Joint order and head to

Shelby

Bottoms

Greenway

or

Centennial

Park for a relaxing holiday meal.

It’s also a good weekend to plan a trip to the World

War

II

Memorial

at

the

Bicentennial

Capitol Mall State Park. Or, if you’re planning to partake

in

Nashville’s

party

scene,

check

out

the Broadway strip and one of the city’s pedal bar tours.

New Orleans

Has

something

Memorial National

Day. World

for

everyone

History War

II

buffs

celebrating

will

Museum,

love

The

which

was

ranked the fourth-best museum in the U.S. by TripAdvisor,

while

families

can

relax

with

a

picnic at New Orleans City Park. Bicycle tours, Creole cuisine, and a trip to Cafe du Monde can help round out a long weekend in The Big Easy.

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18

Miami, Florida

There’s

no

around

Miami,

Beach deco

to

shortage

the

historic

culture

along

from funky

of the

party

murals

district Calle

things

in

Ocho,

in

to

do

scene

and on

Wynwood,

Miami and

South

the

Beach,

trendy

see

art

Cuban

bars

and

restaurants in Brickell.

For

more

National

family

S alute

friendly

to

events,

America’s

check

Heroes

out

event

the and

plan a low-key day trip to Oleta River State Park.

Las Vegas, Nevada

With temperatures set to climb, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to check out

one

of

Las

Vegas’

legendary

pool

parties

or

stay

indoors

at

one

of

the

city’s

iconic casinos. But you’ll also find family-fun adventures like hiking trails at Red Rock Canyon, Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay, and kid-oriented Cirque du Soleil shows.

2021 travel trends: Shor ter trips, pricier stays, and ‘travel pods’

While

the

vaccine

rollouts

are

helping

control

the

spread

of

COVID-19,

travelers

are

still

taking

precautions. Rose said people are vacationing in “travel pods,” or small groups of friends and family members

who

quarantined

together

or

have

been

vaccinated.

Road

trips

are

a

great

way

to

practice social distancing, and home-stay rentals are rising in popularity for the same reason.

Consumers are also planning shorter stays compared with a year ago, according to Guesty data.

But these shorter bookings — which are four days on average during Memorial Day weekend — signal recovery as consumers revert to pre-COVID travel habits.

In terms of pricing, reservations are 47% more expensive now compared with 2020, according to Guesty data. The steep year-over-year increase can be partly attributed to the discounts travelers received as an incentive to travel during the pandemic.

If you’re planning a Memorial Day getaway, “it’s never a bad idea to be overly prepared” with hand sanitizer and masks, Rose said. Also, “check the travel guidelines for the destination of your choice on that state’s website.”

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MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK RUSSIA / HELD IN MOSCOW FASHION NEWS

By Anastasia Buteeva

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK RUSSIA IS THE MOST KNOWN AND WELLCOVERED FASHION EVENT IN RUSSIA

Since many of the best Russian and international designers participate in the event, it is packed with numerous innovative collections that delight the crowds. With this year bringing more phenomenal designers, we uncovered the list to help out.

The entire MBFW Russia Fashion Week was very eventful from April 19 to April 24 at the Museum of Moscow. Despite all the closed borders, designers from different countries took part in the shows. The new season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia was held in a phygital format. The program of MBFW Russia Fashion Week combined physical events with live broadcasts of fashion designer shows. The collections of all the designers participating in the Fashion Week were shown on the main social networks and on 100 media sites, showrooms and concept stores - live broadcasts of MBFW Russia were available to the attention of journalists, buyers, influencers and viewers around the world. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia was the first in the world to present online games: Catch the Inspo, Pattern Maker, Sewing Adventures. Users with the most points received gifts and invitations for future seasons. This year, TikTok continued its cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia, a key event in the world of fashion in Russia, and launched “Fashion Month 2.0”.

On April 20, TikTok launched a reality show for Fashion Week: for five days, the platform broadcast live shows of the best designers. Everyone could learn more about the work of designers and about ethical fashion in the series of broadcasts "The Designer’s Way”. More than 50 designers took part in MBFW Russia. New collections were demonstrated by: / SELFÉTUDE, N.LEGENDA, NASTYA NEKRASOVA, ÓNOMA, SERGEY SYSOEV, Yana Besfamilnaya, ELENA SOUPROUN, HARD BY HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, JULIA DALAKIAN, ALENA NEGA, Lena Karnauba Design Institute other.

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MERCEDES

Fashion BENZ Week

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK MOSCOW 2021

BOYARI

FASHION REBELS

PRO fashion masters

PRO fashion masters

21

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Gerda Irene

it is ART PIECE

ANSEL

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M.I.R 277

22

NOT NEW COLLECTION

1377

Lyubov Babitskaya

N. LEGENDA

23

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ROLLS - ROYCE

One-off Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe is a gorgeous collab with Hermès

Commissioned by a Japanese billionaire, this stunning Phantom was inspired by private jets and 16th century antiques.

Rolls-Royce somehow seems to one-up itself with every special edition and bespoke creation, and the latest one is no exception. This is the Phantom Oribe, a one-off that was designed and developed as a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and the legendary Paris-based fashion house Hermès. It was commissioned by Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese billionaire Rolls describes as an "entrepreneur, art collector and supercar enthusiast." He also just happens to be the first person planning to take a commercial flight to the moon, he holds the world record for the most retweets on Twitter and he wanted the Phantom to be a "land jet" that would complement a private jet that he also recently ordered. Talk about goals. The car gets its name from Oribe ware, a type of Japanese pottery from the 16th century that Maezawa collects.

These artifacts typically have a cream and green glaze, so Rolls-Royce spent months developing a gorgeous new Oribe Green color specifically for this car. Rolls-Royce says it's making the paint available to be used on Maezawa's jet, too. It's accented by cream paint on the lower bumpers and side skirts, which is an interesting effect I haven't seen on a Rolls before -- and it works. There's also contrasting pinstriping along the lower panels and the upper shoulder line.

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The stunning Rolls-Royce Phantom Oribe is a private jet for the road

As with any Rolls-Royce, the real drama comes when you step inside. This isn't just a car with some Hermès badges and special leather -- Rolls-Royce says it was a "deep, genuine" collaboration that saw its craftspeople and designers working hand-in-hand with Hermès'. Nearly every surface is covered in Hermès Enea Green leather, and I mean every surface. Beyond just the seats, door panels and dashboard, the green leather is found on touchpoints like the column shifter, climate control knobs and "duchess handle" door pulls.

It's also applied to areas you wouldn't normally see or touch such as the champagne cooler, the parcel shelf and the glovebox and trunk lining. Some components like the carpets and front seats are finished in Seashell White to add some contrast and tie in with the exterior color scheme. In a first for Rolls-Royce, the armrests, door panels, console accents and headliner are covered in cream Hermès Toile H canvas, which looks incredible and brings a texture not usually seen in luxury cars of this level. The headrests and rear foot cushions have special Hermès piping, and the glovebox lid has an embossed Hermès script. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös says the Oribe was "creatively challenging and technically demanding," adding that the collaboration with Hermès "represents the very best of our respective craftspeople and capabilities." Given how well the Oribe came out and the fact it seems like everyone that worked on the project genuinely enjoyed it, I'm guessing we'll start seeing more collaborations between Rolls-Royce and Hermès (and other fashion houses) in the future.

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MVieraRealtor@gmail.com www.homevaluerealtor.com 1 - 917-440-1835

BITCOIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCY TAX 2021: TIPS AND GUIDE

By Kate Rockwood

If you’re new to the cryptocurrency game, you might be surprised to learn that — tax-wise — cryptocurrency isn’t treated like cash, but as property. Similar to stocks, the value of cryptocurrency can increase or decrease over time.

“With cash, if you have a $10 bill at the beginning of the year, barring slight changes for inflation or cost of living, it will still be worth $10 at the end of the year," said Helena Swyter, a certified public accountant and owner of Sweeter CPA in Chicago. "But if you purchased $10 worth of cryptocurrency, it could be worth a lot more or a lot less than that in a year.”

Those fluctuations become gains or losses once you sell the cryptocurrency, at which point they can be taxable, and the IRS is going to want to know about them on Form 1040, your federal income tax return form. In December, the IRS added this question near the top of the form: “At any time during 2020, did you receive, sell, send, exchange, or otherwise acquire any financial interest in any virtual currency?” The aim was to increase people’s awareness that cryptocurrency is taxable once it’s sold or exchanged.

“There is an increasing awareness about how cryptocurrency is taxed in recent years,” said Lisa Greene-Lewis, a CPA and tax expert with TurboTax, but the IRS has decided to make it a priority in the last couple of years.

How to track crypto transactions Because you have to report your cryptocurrency gains and losses to the IRS, you need a good system to keep track of them. First, check with the brokerage or exchange you use to buy or sell cryptocurrency to see if it has tracking capabilities you can use or access, Swyter said. If not, use an app, tax reporting software, or a spreadsheet to track the information on your own, she said.

Here’s what you need to track: How much in dollars you spent to buy the cryptocurrency The date you bought or received the cryptocurrency The date you sold or exchanged the cryptocurrency How much the coins were worth in dollars on the date you sold them If you sell cryptocurrency coins for less than what you paid for them, that’s a loss. You don’t pay taxes on the losses. You can offset cryptocurrency capital gains with losses of up to $3,000, according to the IRS. If you have more than that amount in losses, you can carry it forward to future years.

“But if you later sold cryptocurrency for more than its purchase price, that’s a taxable gain,” Swyter said. “This gain is taxed at short- or longterm capital gains rates, depending on how long you owned it.” That’s why it’s important to know the dates you bought and sold your cryptocurrency. Some cryptocurrency exchanges will send you a 1099-B or a 1099-K form near the end of January. The 1099-B shows your gains or losses from selling cryptocurrency, while the 1099-K shows your proceeds. A 1099-B is more useful for figuring out how much you owe for taxes, but not every exchange sends these out. If they do, they may only send to certain people who made many or larger transactions. So it’s a good idea to keep your own records.

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Successful Young Entrepreneurs FAQs It's no surprise that Millennials, also known as Generation Y, have done the same, making their own income in innovative ways. For many of these bright stars, that means pursuing entrepreneurship as a means to leave their mark on the world.

What Is a Young Entrepreneur?

A young entrepreneur is a child or young adult who assumes risks to start and operate a business or who finds new ways to do business better. They are the type of person who identifies and pursues opportunities without allowing risks to become barriers.

How Do You Become a Young Entrepreneur?

If you are a child or young adult, think about what opportunities exist that have not been exploited, and consider the value it could bring if you pursued it. You could also think of how you can repurpose what already exists. Develop a plan, stating the opportunity, your answer to the opportunity, and your plans to execute. Assemble resources, such as money, labor, and supplies, or seek help from an adult who can gather these resources for you. Don't be afraid to ask for help or to learn from others who have been successful at entrepreneurship. Most of all, don't be afraid of failure. Use it as a learning lesson and continue toward your mission.

Who Are Some of Today’s Most Successful Young Entrepreneurs?

Possibly one of the most famous and accomplished young entrepreneurs is Mark Zuckerberg, who at 19 co-founded Facebook.

Also topping the charts is Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook; and Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy, co-founders of Snapchat. Not all young entrepreneurs will reach Facebook or Snapchat status, but success is achieved nonetheless. Other notable successful young entrepreneurs include those we highlighted: Fraser Doherty, Ashley Qualls, and others.

Can a 12-Year-Old Own a Business?

There is no age limit on being an entrepreneur; so, a 12-year can become one. However, there is an age requirement for forming a legal business entity in the United States. Due to contract law, a person must be at least 18 years of age to form a legal business.

Fortunately, parents and guardians can file on behalf of minor children.

Who Is the Youngest Major Company Owner?

At age 15, Hillary Yip is the youngest CEO in the world. She founded and runs MinorMynas, an online education platform for children. She began her journey into entrepreneurship at age 10, dabbling in the tech sector, and now sits at the table with some of the world's most renowned tech geniuses.

The Bottom Line It's evident from these young people's stories that entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It involves believing in the potential of ideas and pursuing them past ideation and concept development. These young entrepreneurs, inspired by family, academics, social trends, and events, have one thing in common: they found an opportunity and seized it. And that is the spirit of entrepreneurship.

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Lara Tabet , strong woman with very clear ideas and determination.

Besides being instrumental in setting up her own brand "LuxuryWithLara", Lara Tabet has also been a face and Middle East Business Developer for a number of Global Luxury brands such as Michael Bruggler Watches, Margy’s Monte Carlo Skincare, Orme Haute Couture jewelry and Valeur Absolue Fragrance, to name a few.

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Women's empowerment is all about women supporting other women to thrive and succeed either on a buisness, professional or personal level.

An avid fashionista, Lara Tabet has become a worldwide iconic personality defining the quintessential modern women across the Middle East and Gulf region. Lara graduated with a Hospitality Management degree from Switzerland and served the hospitality sector prior to gaining media attention. Besides being a famous media personality, she is also a member of the board of Arab Fashion Council and the official spokesperson for Arab Fashion Week. Being on the boards of Friends of Rashid Pediatric Centre and the Red Crescent Society, she displays immense proactivity in raising funds for these high-profile charitable foundations supporting children all over the world. Well known for her hardwork and humility, Lara recently bagged the ATP's Global Influencer Award in 2018, presented by Anthony Turnstall, the producer and program director of MNTC Radio, Chicago. Lara has become the face of many global luxury brands- Michael Bruggler Watches, Margy’s Monte Carlo Skincare, Orme Haute Couture jewelry and Valeur Absolue Fragrance, to name a few.

Who and What is LuxurywithLara.com?

Luxurywithlara.com is a brand that I created eight years ago, where I represent various companies as htier brand ambassador, which is being the face of the brand as well as supporting them with business development. I represent Micahel Bruggler watches from Switzerlnad, Margy's Monte Carlo, the world's most luxurious skincare from Monte Carlo, Valeur Absolue fragrance, Teami blends from the US, Esmeralda luxury real estate, dany by Daniel K jewelry, Orme jewelry, Arab Fashion Week and several haute Couture fashion designers in the region.

How would you describe your style?

Classic Elegance, Feminine, luxurious , conservative when required and daring when desired.

What is “Women’s Empowerment?” Is this about gender equality, or is it more than that?

Women's empowerment is all about women supporting other women to thrive and succeed either on a buisness, professional or personal level. I am an advocate and huge supporter of Women empowerment. I believe that behind very succesful woman, there is a tribe of other women. I heard Oprah Winfrey say that and it makes sense.

Dress : Diana Mahrach Couture Photo : Ehtasham_saeed Hotel : La Ville Hotel & Suites Dubai

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LaraTabet How do you support women to live empowered lives?

I recently was involved in setting up a platform representing women Empowerment during the early months of Covid, where Women from different business segments would interact in order to showcase the different businesses they represent and I would hold interviews with them and post them in order to showcase their successes. I have been doing this since more than a year and will continue to do so. I am also involved in a health and wellness platform that showcases female coaches and female entrepreneurs in the health and wellness sector to expose the different activities they are undeerto a very wide audience.

What are the qualities of an empowered woman, and how can women be empowered while maintaining their femininity?

The qualities of an empowered woman is strength, hard working, resilient, powerful being an achiever, being a visionary person and whilst remaining empathetic and human

How do you take care of yourself everyday so that you stay balanced and centered?

I am anearly rise. I wake up at 5am every morning. I start my day with my meditation and morning prayers and enjoy watching the sun rise. I plan my week in advance so every hour is accounted for and I set targets for myself, Imaintain a balanced work and family life where I make sure to spend enough quality time on a daily basis with my kids and husband. I recognise that their needs are equal to mine and I am part of their ecosystem as much as they are an intrinsic part of mine.

What did you learn from your biggest failure?

I learnt that there is no such thing as failure as long as you can gather yourself, learn and move forward.

How did you first get your start in media?

I got my start twenty years ago when I was headhunted by the first english speaking satellite TV channel in the region known as InTv who asked me to come in for a casting.

A few years later I had several shows of my own that I was producing and presenting. I conducted over seven thousand interviews with celebrities from all over the world including Hollywood, Bollywood and Arab Cinema. I had the privilege to interview and meet MOrgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburn, George Clooney, Sharon stone, Jennofer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Amatabh Bacchan, Akbar Khan, Yash Chopra, Ashwairia Rai, Ferouz Khan, Sharook Khan, Ritik Roshan, Khalid Yousef, Tamer Hagras, Hani Salama, Adel Imam, Yusra, Leila Ilwi, Hala Siqi, Hala Farhan and those are just to name a few. I have been covering the Dubai World Cup since its birth, the world's richest horse race, the Dubai International Film Festival, the ATP Tennis Championships, Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix and so many more world class events. luxevarie.com

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Focus & Hard Working

After this pandemic around the world , has the fashion scene changed a lot too? How was it before?

Tell us about brands that you back and why?

I represent Micahel Bruggler watches from Switzerland, Margy's Monte Carlo, the world's most luxurious skincare from Monte Carlo, Valeur Absolue fragrance, Teami blends from the US, Esmeralda luxury real estate, dany by Daniel K jewelry, Orme jewelry, Arab Fashion Week and several haute Couture fashion designers in the region. All these brands are geared towards creating a sense of joy and enjoyment, to provide a degree ot uniqueness without blowing up the bank account. Luxury has to be unique but it doesnt mean it has to be ultra expensive.

Describe yourself in 3 words Determined, Focused, Hard working.

How would you explain your fashion style and what items in yourBeret: closet can you not be Morey&Morey without?

Purse: Romantisize I cannot be without my little black dress and I would describe my fashion sense as classic and elegant.

Best advice ever given?

Never give up on your dreams, work hard and have passion in everything that you do. Don't forget to work hard and play hard.

Dress : Diana Mahrach Couture Photo : Ehtasham_saeed Hotel : Dusit Thani Dubai

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Dress : Diana Mahrach Couture Photo : Ehtasham_saeed Hotel : Dusit Thani Dubai

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www.blossomnyc.com

The Dangers of Face Masks

WHY THE DANGERS OF FACE MASKS AREN’T WORTH IT

By Diane Small When I binge-watched The Handmaid’s Tale on Netflix, I did so thinking I was watching a dystopian future that was entirely fictional. Fast forward a few years, and I now walk down the street in a world that is eerily similar. I smile at people in shops and can’t tell whether or not they’re smiling back at me. I pass by spring flowers, but can’t smell them. And it’s a heartbreaking reality that my toddler now asks me, ‘Got your mask?’ before we leave the house.

When the world first went into lockdown, the global demand for masks was epic. Many didn’t think twice about what their masks were made of so long as they had them.

But the types of face masks that we’re wearing to protect us from COVID could be far worse for our health than the virus. Scientists have recently found loads of evidence for the dangers of face masks. For example, they report that some face masks shed fibres that are laced with toxic chemicals, which we breathe in deeply when we wear them.

This news didn’t come as any surprise to former British GP Dr. Vernon Coleman, who published the free PDF book “Proof That Facemasks Do More Harm Than Good” last year. We here at Eluxe weren’t very surprised, either. After all, way back in 2017, we published how the clothes you wear can cause harm to your body thanks to the toxic dyes and finishes they carry. But now, those harmful fabrics are right on your face!

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Slowly Killing Kids?

And if you needed any more proof about the dangers of face masks, then get this. One type of mask that distributed to 15,000 Quebec schools and daycares – yep, to our children – has been recalled due to its danger to our health.

Health Canada conducted a preliminary risk assessment of the masks, and their findings were shocking. They revealed a potential for early lung damage associated with the inhalation of microscopic graphene particles. Graphene is a strong yet thin material that can be harmful to the lungs when inhaled, causing long-term health problems.

This comes as no surprise to daycare educators, who are said to have been suspicious of these grey and blue masks for a while. Apparently, children complained they felt like they were ‘swallowing cat hair’ while wearing them.

Apart from doing serious damage to children’s mental health (don’t get me started!), face masks are now also considered dangerous for their lungs. The Canadian government has asked the public to cease buying and selling those grey and blue masks. But for us, that’s ‘too little action, too late’: between May and November, the government distributed 31.1 million masks to protect people from COVID-19. And now, they’ve put the lung health of those people is at serious risk.

Worse Than Plastic Bottles Finally, the dangers of face masks are as grave to the planet as they are to our health. Just as companies started ditching single use plastics for more eco-friendly alternatives, another nemesis appears: COVID masks. Forget plastic bottles: discarded face masks are now becoming a real problem after mass masking worldwide. It’s estimated that 129 billion face masks are used worldwide each and every month, which shockingly works out to about 3 million masks per minute. These masks could potentially leach microsized plastic particles into the environment more readily, and faster, than other plastic pollutants, such as plastic bags. The health impact of tiny bits of plastic in the body is as yet unknown. But scientists say there is an urgent need to assess the issue, particularly for developing foetuses and babies, as these microplastics can carry chemicals that could cause long-term damage. Face masks are not recyclable, and the materials that they’re made of persist and accumulate in the environment. Most masks contain at least three layers, consisting of a polyester outer layer, a polypropylene or polystyrene middle layer and an inner layer made of absorbent material such as cotton. Polypropylene is already one of the most problematic plastics, due to the simple fact it’s mass-produced and the cause of huge amounts of plastic pollution, but it has also been known to trigger asthma.

Let’s Be Rational The act of wearing a mask has, for some reason, become highly politicised. But this is not a partisan issue, and we seriously need to look at the facts, objectively, for the sake of our health. Based on studies done by Professor John PA Ioannidis of Stanford University, Covid 19 has an infection fatality rate (IFR) of 0.05 in persons 70 years old and under. This is quite comparable to the IFR of most run-of-the-mill flu viruses. So, are the dangers of face masks worth risking for a virus with such a low infection fatality rate? Well, plenty of scientific evidence suggests that masks (both surgical and cloth masks) are ineffective in reducing Covid 19 transmission. In fact, a recent publication stated that face masks become completely ineffective after just 20 minutes of wear. And another study stated that wearing a mask that has already been used, which is very common, is riskier to catching a virus than not wearing a mask at all.

This fact is backed up by research that shows how European countries where masks were mandated have far more Covid 19 cases than those nations without any such mandates (as demonstrated in the graph, below). This information is important to those of us who care about protecting the health of others. Why? Because it seems that wearing a mask actually increases your chance of getting – and spreading – the illness to others. And as for the argument that even healthy people who are not at risk should wear a mask because they could be asymptomatic and pass on Covid 19 without even knowing it, well, no. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal that was done in Wuhan, China, has proven that this is highly unlikely, to say the least. A mass screening programme of more than 10 million residents of Wuhan, identified and tracked only 300 asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 within this massive sample. Not a single one was infectious.

So, What Should You Do? There’s no doubt we need to take care of ourselves to prevent illnesses, especially during the colder months. Now that the dangers of masks are clear, what should you do, then?

The usual advice is wise: wash your hands with a non-toxic soap. Stay home if you feel even a bit unwell. Socially distance from those who are at the highest risk of getting sick. But most importantly, take care of your health and build up immunity. Eat loads of fruits and veggies. Take vitamin C, D and zinc supplements. Get plenty of sleep. Engage in yoga or meditation to reduce stress. Go out in the sunshine and soak it up for at least 15 minutes a day if you can.

Exercise 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes as a minimum. If you feel run down, don’t push yourself. Listen to your body.

But even if you take those precautions and stay healthy, sadly, many governments and businesses are ignoring the dangers of wearing a mask and are foolishly forcing us to wear one. If you must put a mask on, make it as light and nontoxic as possible. Wear it for the shortest period possible. And know this: in most cases, there are no actual laws making you do so. Instead, it’s ‘general guidance’, which is not legally enforceable. In that case, be brave. Refuse to wear one, for the sake of your own health, and that of the planet.

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PAGEANT PREP

Contact us Tri- State Area (484) 350-8648

@jayson_santana www.westnewyorkfashionweek.com

www.dianamahrachcouture.com

THE BEST VEGAN FOOD WITH AMAZING FLAVOR AND HEALTHY Giving up meat can seem like a daunting process. It’s filling, and it’s a typical main for most meals. Plus, many carnivores have been programmed to believe that we need meat to survive and that by giving it up, we will somehow be sick and malnourished.

But why would we still eat dead animals if we could eat a cruelty-free alternative that looks and can even taste the same?

I’ve had some sausages and burgers that literally tasted no different to meat, and I’ve cooked vegan dishes for non-vegans who had no clue what they were eating wasn’t actual meat.

Most vegans grew up eating meat and many of our beloved family traditions are centred around these. It’s cool to be kind, and finding vegan meats that taste like the real thing is easier now than ever.

Eat delicious and healthy. .

VEGAN MEAT DISHES Vegan Chicken Nuggets C’mon, chicken nuggets? They’re legendary! Or at least, these vegan ones are! Made from tofu, they’re tossed in a flavoursome BBQ sauce. That crunchy, spicy exterior is basically food porn!

Chewy Blackened Tofu Steaks Impress your guests with some ‘steak’. Yep, you read that right – steak! But instead of slapping down a corpse on their plate, impress them with this vegan version.

Made with extra-firm tofu, these bad boys have been marinated in a mixture of sauces and spices and then grilled to perfection for a wholesome vegan and glutenfree meal.

Lentil & Carrot Vegan Hotdogsaks Even before going vegan, hot dogs always made me feel a little nauseous. God only knows what truly goes into them, and I’d rather not know! But one hot dog I can get on board with is these carrot ones. They’re fast, easy and full of goodness.

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Vegan Pepperonis This vegan pepperoni may look like one of the hardest homemade vegan meat dishes to whip up. But honestly, it’s so easy to make. It requires just 10-ingredients and is made with tofu and a blend of delicious spices. This is perfect for topping on pizza, stuffing in calzones or just doing whatever the heck you like with it!

Vegan Rice Paper Bacon Have you been hunting for a healthier alternative to traditional bacon? You can make vegan bacon from lots of ingredients, such as eggplant and even carrots.

Coconut is a great alternative, too. But this recipe uses rice paper, and it creates the perfect crispy, chewy, sweet, salty, smoky bacon.

Vegan Cheeseburgers Are you even vegan if you don’t make the perfect vegan cheeseburger? And 2021 is such a great time to be alive, because there are literally so many vegan alternatives.

Like this lentil patty. It’s served in a bun and stacked with crunchy onions, fresh lettuce and creamy vegan mayo. Not forgetting the vegan cheese . . . yum!

High Protein Vegan Ground Beef I like trying mock-meats as much as the next vegan, but I much prefer to make mine from scratch. If you’ve never made your own ground beef then you need to know the secret ingredient: walnuts! Yep, once ground down and mixed with spices and then baked, it’s a healthy alternative that you can use in so many recipes. This is a vegan recipe staple, that’s for sure!

Vegan Paté Made from veggies and nuts, this vegan paté is meaty and buttery and the perfect accompaniment to a slice of freshly baked bread. It can also be spread in a sandwich or used as a dip with some crackers.

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A T . M O S P H ER E B U R J

K H A L I F A

DUBAI

www.atmosphereburjkhalifa.com luxevarie.com

Dine in style at the world's highest restaurant

The At.mosphere lounge is a chic venue, open throughout the week and can seat 130. It ser ves light lunches and high tea, before turning into a vibrant spot in the evening. Guests can enjoy a premium range of beverages, and unwind to lounge music, spun by the in-house DJ. The interiors of the lounge are in deep shades of amethyst with a rich combination of patterned velvets, natural woven textiles and leathers with a distinct design and a colour palette of chocolate and caramel with a touch of cream. The lounge opens to panoramic views of Dubai ser ving as the ideal venue to watch the sunset.

World-class dining and unique views from Atmosphere

Arriving at Atmosphere restaurant, you’ll find options for high tea, light lunches and a fine-dining dinner ser vice. The haute dinner menu features the finest European cuisine made with top quality ingredients. Popular dishes include foie gras, oysters and wagyu tenderloins. The restaurant's best seats offer views of The Dubai Fountain.

Dine in style among the clouds during the day or night, and be wowed by both the setting and the food. Do book ahead to avoid disappointment – for either the restaurant or lounge area – and remember that sunset will be the most coveted time. Arriving early is no problem as there is plenty to explore at The Dubai Mall.

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LUXURY ROLE OF THE MONTH

Maria Maria

As an Image Consultant, she gives talks and workshops on imaging, Projection, refinement and modeling.

María Rosa Silva, (María María) recognized for her career in the field of Modeling and with a career in Puerto Rican television animation. She was first runner-up in Miss P.R 1982. She has represented Puerto Rico in Beauty pageants Internationally, obtaining the crown of Miss American Dream Girl 1982 and Miss Latin America 1983.

She Represented Puerto Rico in Miss World in 1984. In 1989 she participated in Miss Model f The World her obtaining the title of Photomodel of the world and a contract to work in Turkey. She previously she had already worked in Germany and Texas. Her experience as a Haute Couture Model has given her the satisfaction of working for all Designers in Puerto Rico, where she was a long time mannequin of the Designer Carlota Alfaro.

She internationally she participated in catwalks for Carolina Herrera, Carvan and Guy laroche. In the television field, it began in 1983 as a model for the Program "A Millon." by WAPA TV, where he was given the opportunity to animate it, and where they baptize her as “María María” after the late José José who was invited to the show that night. She eventually acts as a cheerleader for "Despierta Puerto Rico" on WAPA (1992), "Customs and Traditions" on Channel 6 1999, and she enters Channel 13 with “Tertuliando” (2002), “A Las 5” (2005) and “Ellas y Tus Noches ”(2007). Since 2018 she has been animating and co-producing her program “CONTIGO SIEMPRE ”on Channel 13, As an Image Consultant, she gives talks and workshops on imaging, Projection, refinement and modeling. She creates the group Curvy Models by María María for ladies Who seek to increase knowledge to show off and project themselves successfully professionally and personally while experiencing in the field of modeling. She also writes a column on Business Etiquette in the magazine Be Plus Magazine.

You can follow her on all social networks @mariamariatv

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Luxury Model Of The Month MAY 2o 21

s t y l e

&

G L A M O U R

ZURC AINAHPETSE Instagram : @estephaniacruz1 Make up and Hair: @jayson_santana Dress: @fabregasc Photo: @_nyclive Assistances @lafantutu @aytana_quezadats Agency : @nluniversal.newyork & @westnewyorkfashionweek Height : 5'7 Country: Dominican Republic living in New York

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