Ohlala Bahrain September 2015

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE BAHRAIN

The Fashion Issue The Best of AW15 Trends

Have Bloggers Taken Over?

The region’s best reveal all

Plus...

10 Best Beauty Buys This Season

“Knowledge is Power” Guerlain’s Esther Kamatari’s exclusive interview

SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 129 BAHRAIN BD2 KSA SR10

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Editor’s LEttEr

H

ello and welcome back to the revived and more sophisticated ohlala. As you’ll have noticed we have given our logo a lick of paint as it were and we’re so excited to be launching it for the september issue. We felt the brand had outgrown its former image and it was time to give the magazine a more elegant identity. And with that, we’ve got a beautiful bumper issue (if we do say so ourselves) of fashion fixes from Haute Couture to ReadyTo-Wear with our favourite looks to get you started off on the right (hot) foot, complete with must-have accessories. our beauty pages see a host of helpful tips and tricks to achieve everything from thick brows to the hottest trends seen on the runway - and we share our top product picks to survive the change of season.And while we as a magazine do our part in putting the best to the test and share the most sought after pieces of the season, there is a growing population of bloggers out there who are slowly taking over and becoming brand ambassadors - all with just an Instagram and/or blog post. We put a spotlight on some of the biggest names in the blogging industry and find out why and how you can make it from the ground up. But if there is one woman we want to honour the most in this issue it is Esther Kamatari. As the new ambassadress of Guerlain, the Burundian princess has more than just the duty of being the face of the brand, she wants to democratise beauty and show that every woman in the world - of all faiths - deserves it above all else.

Georgie Bradley 10

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Editor in Chief

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1. Modern Beauty Esther Kamatari 2. .Blogger Mania Have They Taken Over?

3. Beauty Buzz Thick Brows 4. Style Focus Winter Garden 5. Style Focus Haute Couture

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ContEnts Ohlala

Wish List 16. Grey Matters styLe icon 18. Chanel’s Montre Particulière Watch styLe Focus 21. The Haute Couture Report The Best of AW 15-16 Features 36. Noor Saab: Going In Motion 38. Rula Galayini: Business of Bags 41. Have Bloggers Taken Over?

48. Esther Kamatari’s Life Stories Fashion Lookbook 52. The Wild Roses of Bambah beauty buzz 64. Looks to Love 68. Ten Best Products 70. Eyebrows: How To Thick Em’ 72. Kat Von D in The Middle East 74.Tattoos: Tasteful or Taboo? chic eats 76. Nicole’s traveL escapes 83. The Unassuming Wonders of El Salvador Diva Drives 88. The 2015 Audi Q7

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ohLaLa boutiques 91. The Best Buys for Septemember society 96. Shot on Site ohLaLa #obsessions 105. Nail Art

Treasure Trove

the coLumn 106. Self Talk

Nils Herrmann © Cartier.jpg

Get ready to mash and clash

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september 2015 issue 129

pubLisher & chairman John Hughes

chieF executive oFFicer Greg Hughes

eDitor-in-chieF

pubLishing Director Edward Smith

country Director

Georgie Bradley

assistant eDitor

creative Director

regionaL saLes Director

Pallavi Ramesh

Paula Leal

Chelsea Copenhaver

motoring eDitor

graphic Designers

business DeveLopment

Tony Sidgwick

Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bindaina

Director

photographers

Feature contributors

Shobin Joseph

Giovanni

contributors

Kirsty Edwards-Harris

Rami Khalil

Sofia Graniello

proDuction manager Neil Mahmood Distribution manager Ajit Kumar

cover image Bambah

Rashed Bindaina

Melanie

creDits image Salvatore Ferragamo

Gigimon Thankachen

accountants Praveen Alexander

Distribution team

printing press

Distribution

Jayapragash Ganesan

United Printing Press

Bahrain – Al Hilal Qatar – Dar Al Sharq

Rajesh Abdul Kadar

UAE – GLS, Tawseel Distribution & Logistics enquiries

Editorial: georgie@ohlala-magazine.com | Advertising: kirsty@ohlala-magazine.com General: admin@ohlala-magazine.com | Telephone: (Bahrain) +973 1721 6099 | Postal Address: Ohlala Magazine, The Nans Group, P O BOX 30378, Budaiya, Kingdom of Bahrain. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, FACT M.E. Publishing and all of its publications cannot accept legal responsibility for any error, content or omissions.

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IT’S THE TIME FOR GIFTING! CELEBRATE EID AT W O J O O H

IN THE SPIRIT OF GIFTING, RECEIVE A COLORFUL CROSS-BODY BAG WITH ANY QUALIFYING PURCHASE. O F F E R V A L I D F R O M S E P T E M B E R 1 5 TH – 3 0 TH.

www.wojooh.com www.ohlala-magazine.com 15 @WojoohBeauty

styLE Trend

STRATEA

S CARLUC

CI

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CovEtABLE CApE

Before we get to the depths (ha!) of winter, a cape is a good starter. We love this Hobbs number with its arm cut outs. A cape is a great way to complete an ensemble especially if knee high boots are involved!

you’rE A stAr

To lift a dull grey out of obscurity, opt for this starry Bedouin t-shirt with its simple yet strong motif. Pair it with jeans for a dressed down look or give it a sophisticated spin with a suit jacket and black drainpipe trousers.

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put A ring on it

For any woman who wants a solid silver ring, this Folli Follie creation is as bold and striking as they come. its irregular shape and size are a major draw and add an interesting touch.

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List

CLAssiC tAiLoring

There’s nothing like a well cut trouser that fits like a glove, is there? These super skinny trousers from Raoul are a perfect office wardrobe staple.

GRey is An unDeResTimATeD colouR, oFTen siDelineD Due To iTs lAck oF exciTemenT. BlAck mAyBe A mAinsTAy FoR THe cooleR monTHs BuT We’Re THinkinG GRey mATTeRs RiGHT noW - A TAiloReD GRey suiT is All THe RAGe AmonG oTHeR THinGs. WHeTHeR iT’s Fossil,cHARcoAl oR silveR GRey, Give THese sHADes A TRy.

MARISSA WEB

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Wish 4

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siLvEr Linings

For the perfect evening dress, look no further than this Debut from Debenhams slim fit piece. There’s something rather 90s retro cum sci-fi about it - but best of all, it’s grey and shimmy at the same time. Hurrah!

womensecret.com #womensecret

ABU DHABI

AL AIN

DUBAI

SHARJAH

BAHRAIN

MUSCAT

Dubai: The Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City Mall, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira / Abu Dhabi: Al Wahda Mall, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall, Yas Mall / Al Ain: Bawadi Mall, Al Jimi Mall / Sharjah: Sharjah Mega Mall / Bahrain: City Centre Bahrain / Muscat: Oman Avenues Mall www.dubaiholdinggroup.com

PR ET T Y, CO M F O RTA BLE & S EXY

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styLE Icon

it’s HigH

t i m E

The Montre Particulière watch, a staple of Chanel’s fine jewellery, is set in 18K white gold with brilliant-cut diamonds. If there was ever an example of how the boundaries between function and jewellery come together, this would be it. We love how the curves and contours of the design add so much depth and detail - what a way to complete your evening look. This magnificent timepiece is an absolute masterpiece.

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Get your daily dose of Ohlala online now

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE

Hot for Winter

A FABULOUS GUIDE TO THE NEW SEASON’S TRENDS

KATY PERRY

EXCLUSIVE

GLORIA ESTEFAN

SETS THE STANDARDS

Basking in Royal Allure

DECEMBER 2013 OHLALA!

WWW.OHLALA-MAGAZINE.COM

JANUARY 2014 | ISSUE 110

BAHRAIN BD2 | KSA SR20

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the Haute report From disco sparkles to structured tailoring to gothic dramas, Haute Couture’s

autumn-winter 2015/16

trends are bigger, brighter and bolder than ever. With a little help from our style radar (that’s us in case you were wondering!) we’ve had fun piecing the looks together in what we think is a hot showcase of serious fashion.

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styLE

The Warrior

ATELIER VERSACE

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI MAISON MARGIELA

FRANCK SORBIER

CHRISTIAN DIOR

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ATELIER VERSACE

A woman of strong shoulders and form fitting grace.

We salute!

SCHIAPARELLI

SCHIAPARELLI

SCHIAPARELLI

ELIE SAAB

Focus

IT’S ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL, RARE MOMENTS OF ENCHANTMENT WHEN COUTURE PRESENTS NATURE IN BREATHTAKING FORM. UNLOCK YOUR IMAGINATION WITH THESE CREATIONS.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

The Amazonian Woman

CHANEL

Heavenly Fairies

The floatiness and airy cuts of the trend give you a whimsical quality.

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CHRISTIAN DIOR

ELIE SAAB

RALPH RUSSO

LORIS AZZARO

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ATELIER VERSACE

ATELIER VERSACE

She’s statuesque and speaks volume of grandeur - and has never ending legs.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

CHANEL

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ATELIER VERSACE

ATELIER VERSACE

The High Line

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

From neck to décolletage, the boundaries were stretched with these details.

DARE TO BARE

CHANEL

ZUHAIR MURAD

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

YIQING YIN

WE’RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE MINI DRESS AND/OR SKIRT, RIGHT? DESIGNERS WENT TO GREAT LENGTH TO SHOW WHAT GOOD CAN BE DONE WITH SO LITTLE FABRIC.

Bear With Me

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

YIQING YIN

ZUHAIR MURAD

There may be little material but these outfits don’t skimp on style.

DICE KAYEK

CHANEL

Hit the town with these disco numbers.

ZUHAIR MURAD

Out On The Tiles

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styLE

CHANEL

CHANEL

CHANEL

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

CHANEL

Focus Boxed In

Dramatically robotic with sharp edges. No one messes with you.

FAIR & SQUARE

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Piped tobacco and handkerchiefs. The very essence of your favourite (if fictional) Pop.

CHANEL

Turning night time fun into everyday wear - with a bit more pizzazz.

Grandpa Glam

CHANEL

Business Meets Pleasure

GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI

SCHIAPARELLI

GIORGIO ARMANI ORIVÉ

MAISON MARGIELA

SCHIAPARELLI

CHRISTIAN DIOR

ARCHITECTURE MEETS BUSINESSMAN. WELCOME TO THE SUITED WOMAN. STRICT TAILORING, SEVERE STRUCTURES AND GENTRY TWEED - PASS US THE BRIEFCASE.

ELIE SAAB

CHANEL

ELIE SAAB

CHRISTIAN DIOR

GIORGIO ARMANI ORIVÉ

CHRISTIAN DIOR

RALPH RUSSO

CHANEL JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Period Pieces

A little more demure but fantastically billowy and exaggerated.

Beaded Beauties

Adding gems of glamour to the underworld, these pieces ooze appeal.

GOTHIC ROMANCE

ZUHAIR MURAD

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI ATELIER VERSACE

ATELIER VERSACE

ATELIER VERSACE

EMBRACE THE DARKNESS WITH THESE VAMPY LOOKS AND 19TH CENTURY GLAM. REMEMBER, THE DEEPER THE PLUM LIPSTICK, THE BETTER.

GIVENCHY BY RICCARDO TISCI

Sheer Drama Peek-a-boo lace and sinfully sexy cuts leaving little to the imagination. We love.

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styLE

RALPH RUSSO

Focus MAISON MARGIELA

Grand Designs

Be consumed by couture. We love the tightness on top and explosion on the bottom.

FOR THE ULTIMATE HEAD TURNING OUTFIT EMBRACE THESE LANDMARK PIECES. THERE IS NOTHING SUBTLE OR QUIETLY CHIC ABOUT THEM. IT’S FULL ON “WOW” FROM THE START.

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ALEXIS MABILLE

CHRISTIAN DIOR JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

RALPH RUSSO

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

A BIT OF POOF

FENDI

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

CHRISTIAN DIOR BOUCHRA JARRAR

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

FENDI

Fine Furs

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ATELIER VERSACE

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ATELIER VERSACE

Get that warm fuzzy feeling with a fabulous fake-over.

Shake Your Tail Feather

Ballerina Girl

Who said tutus were for five year olds? Big girls can have their poof too!

FRANCK SORBIER

ATELIER VERSACE

Twist, turn, run and shimmy. That’s all you’ll want to do with these creations.

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styLE

Focus MAX & CO.

LOEWE KENZO

COS

LANVIN

MARC JACOBS DOROTHEE SCHUMACHER

the oversized

Coat

AS WE EMBRACE ANOTHER AUTUMN-WINTER SEASON, THE COAT, IN ALL ITS FORMS MAKES ITS CONTINUED COMEBACK. BUT THE OVERSIZED, ANDROGYNOUS VARIATION IS ONE TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS TIME AROUND, SO MAKE SURE TO GET A SIZE UP! OF COURSE WE’RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO SNUGGLE UP AND GET COSY IN OUR COATS AS YOU WOULD IN EUROPE BUT ON THE DAYS WHEN THE HUMIDITY HAS FALLEN, THE AIR IS A LITTLE CRISPER AND THE TEMPERATURE IS MORE HUMAN, AN OVERSIZED COAT IS YOUR FRIEND. OR IF YOU’RE HEADING OUT WEST, THEN THESE PICKS SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST PORT OF CALL! 28

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PAUL SMITH

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

DSQUARED2

FRENCH CONNECTION

HOME DELIVERY /OUTDOOR CATERING Call us at 17280700 or on Talabat.com Order for 15 BD or more and get 10% www.ohlala-magazine.com

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styLE Focus JW ANDERSON

BOTTEGA VENETA

“ We’re talking vibrant, vivid and imaginative designs that make you stand out like a sore, but hot thumb.”

JUDY WU

J BY JASPER CONRAN COS BETH POSTLE

graphic art

CHRISTOPHER KANE

DOES THE PHRASE “GO BIG OR GO HOME” RING A BELL? THIS SEASON WEARABLE ART IS A MASSIVE TREND BUT FOR THE LESS INCLINED, GRAPHIC PRINT IS THE WAY TO GO. WE’RE TALKING VIBRANT, VIVID AND IMAGINATIVE DESIGNS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT LIKE A SORE, BUT HOT THUMB. AND OF COURSE, JUST BECAUSE IT’S AN INTENSE DRESS CODE, DOESN’T MEAN IT’S ALL ABOUT COLOUR - THERE’S MONOCHROME CHECKERBOARD CHIC, UP TO GREYS EMBLAZONED WITH JACKSON POLLACK STYLE SPLATTERS OF REDS AND GREENS. ALSO, SARTORIAL GEOMETRY IS SOMETHING TO GET ON!

COS

LOEWE

RAOUL

ROLAND MOURET

CHRISTIAN DIOR

VALENTINO PETER PILOTTO

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VERSACE

VALENTINO

TEMPERLEY LONDON

ALICIA & OLIVIA

VALENTINO

MANISH ARORA

HERVÊ LEGER

MARC JACOBS MARY KATRANTZOU MARY KATRANTZOU

treasure trove

VALENTINO

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE AND YOU HAD A BOX OF COSTUMES, RANDOM GLITTERY AND MISHMASH CLOTHES FOR PLAY DATES OR FOR WHEN YOU JUST WANTED TO BE SOMEONE ELSE FOR THE AFTERNOON? WELL, HERE’S A LITTLE SECRET, IT’S TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE TO BE THE ADULT VERSION! OR LET’S PUT IT THIS WAY - IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHICH TREND TO EMBRACE FIRST, WHY NOT BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER? WITH AN “ANYTHING GOES” ATTITUDE, WHATEVER YOU CLASH TOGETHER WILL BE A FINE MIX. MANGO

MARC JACOBS

TEMPERLEY LONDON SIMONE ROCHA

MARC JACOBS

MANGO

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styLE Focus AIGNER

CHLOÉ

ISSA LONDON @ SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

CÉLINE FATEMA FARDAN

winter garden

ALICE & OLIVIA

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FOLIAGE THIS SEASON, LADIES! BUT INSTEAD OF LOOKING LIKE SPRING HAS SPRUNG, IT’S IMPORTANT TO EMBRACE THE DARKER, DEEPER SIDE OF BOTANIC CHIC. THINK BLOOD RED ROSES, DENSE FOREST GREENS AND LUSH YELLOW LEAVES. NATURE IS A CENTRAL MOTIF IN THE AUTUMN-WINTER COLLECTIONS ACROSS THE TOP FAVOURITE BRANDS AND IT’S TIME WE BECAME ONE WITH HER. LET’S PUT IT THIS WAY, WE’VE GOT GREEN FINGERS THIS SEASON! AIGNER

BYSYMPHONY.COM

CHRISTOPHER KANE

DSQUARED2

ADAM LIPPIES

DOLCE & GABBANA

MARNI

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CLOVR CANYON @ SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

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styLE Focus

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Little Buys MARC BY MARC JACOBS

MARC BY MARC JACOBS

B A G

DSQUARED2

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS

WINTER CHIC AND LIGHTWEIGHT. PACK ALL YOUR ESSENTIALS IN THESE ROOMY BAGS.

big impact WE’VE SELECTED OUR FAVOURITE AUTUMN-WINTER ACCESSORIES FOR THE START OF THE SEASON. FROM TOWERING BOOTS TO DAZZLING DIAMONDS - THESE FABULOUS FINDS ARE SURE TO LIVEN YOUR LOOK - DAY OR NIGHT.

DSQUARED2

LANVIN GLAM CONFIDENTIAL @ SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

AIGNER LEATHER COLLECTION

I T

VICTORIA BECKHAM

DOLCE & GABBANA

GUCCI LANVIN

MICHAEL KORS COACH

DSQUARED2

WELL HEELEd CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA @ SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

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WE LOVE ANY CHRISTIAN EXCUSE TO LOUBOUTIN WEAR BOOTS ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE ELEVATED! AND OF COURSE SOME REGULAR HOT HEELS TOO!

LANVIN

LANVIN

MULBERRY

GUCCI CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Our new menu combines your favourites with new innovative dishes. Using a charcoal oven, that smoky, delicious flavour is infused into all of our meat cuts, as well as the hammour brought in every morning from the fish market, fresh salmon, jumbo king prawns and live lobster. With a range of cuts to pick from, corn fed chicken breast, duck magret and a variety of homemade sausages, there’s plenty to indulge in.

Opposite the Gulf Hotel, Adliya. Telephone: +973 1700 7404 www.ohlala-magazine.com

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styLE Insight courses at Central Saint Martins in textiles and fashion design, in the evening as well as a course at the School for Creative Start Ups to launch my scarves,” she says. Noor’s debut collection of scarves is called Peace – a loaded notion in relation to her heritage no less.

Each scarf involves an infinite repetition of the geometric motif of the Arabic word ‘Salam’– made more vibrant through a combined creative process based on modernising arabesque and calligraphy and infusing them with western artistic influences. Each scarf is inspired by a famous quote on peace and thus “focuses on different ideas of peace: a personal quest, a pursuit between lovers, and a longing between nations.”

Motion, rhythm and depth are the key to Noor’s scarves. The medium of motion graphics stirred in her a desire to inject this rhythmic effect into her scarves by translating a flat surface into a sculptural object through being worn.

The production involves implementing modern mediums as well as a deeply historical technique to Noor’s culture. “For our digital collection we used the finest silk fabrics with state of the art printing technology,” which give that striking touch. The handmade collections see the fabric woven on a loom in the Chouf mountains in Lebanon – one of the last pillars of loom weaving in the country, which is on the brink of extinction but “it’s our desire to revive a dying craft because it’s a longstanding cultural heritage that is worth preserving, albeit by injecting it with a new breath of life, through the combination of a traditional craft with cutting edge technology in textile production.”

getting into motion WHAT Do scARves AnD Tv HAve in common? you miGHT noT Be sTRuck WiTH A cleAR likeness BeTWeen THe TWo, BuT FoR lonDon BAseD nooR sAAB, one lenDs iTselF To AnoTHeR.

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Born and raised in Lebanon, Noor moved to London nine years ago. Having gained a degree in graphic design from the American University of Beirut and worked in the Creative Department of a TV station before moving over to the BBC in London, Noor has always been surrounded by visual motion. While her day job involves crafting user experiences for the BBC news website as a senior designer, Noor planted a seed on the side which is now blossoming and taking shape.

“Working in web design is a very virtual world to me. My largely print based training made me miss the dimension of creating something tangible and then feeling it. When I was at university in Lebanon, I took a course with a master calligrapher, Samir Sayegh, which was the beginning of a lifelong passion with Arabic calligraphy; Coming to London I took some

Visit the online store www.noorsaab.com

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styLE Insight

The Business of Bags BeHinD THe AesTHeTic oF A BRAnD ARe THe FinAnciAl nuTs AnD BolTs THAT keeP iT AFloAT. Rula Galayini TAlks To us ABouT HoW cRoWDFunDinG HelPeD lAuncH HeR BAGs All oveR THe WoRlD. Fashion and figures. A rather heady cocktail to mull over.

When we look through a collection of an emerging brand, the financial backstory isn’t something we readily think about.

But Rula Galayini has embraced crowdfunding in a way that is making it increasingly in vogue. When you think of crowdfunding you think Kickstarter, where you contribute to an independent film or documentary being made by your old schoolmates. Now Rula is setting a trend for fellow newcomers by going about the ruthlessness of the business with financial know-how.

When we grabbed Rula for a chat between her back to back schedule, she’d just come back to Dubai from Marseilles after attending and winning the Mediterranean fashion prize, an annual event where they award a small number of designers from the Med region to come and spend a week with different industry experts. “It was an amazing experience, so inspiring,” she says.

While attending fashion awards and events are a mainstay for designers, Rula has really invested time into the facts and figures of her company beyond the glamour of it all.

It all started under the original, Poupee Couture, fashion accessories with a distinct style that uniquely blends Eastern and Western culture, but recently the brand has had a revival with a fresh new name: Rula Galayini.

“Initially when I started Poupée Couture I was trying to tell the story of the Arab woman because I am originally Lebanese but I spent most of my life moving around between

Cyprus and Canada so I never really lived in the Arab world.

When I went back to Lebanon I noticed that the women are really particular - everything is so contrived in the way they dress. Although it’s a society that has opened up from its conservative past there are still rules of conduct. I was really interested in telling that story of the perfect image that the Lebanese woman tries to portray. My designs were consequently very geometric and symmetrical, they had quite rigid facades. I wanted to represent these personalities with strong colours that were only shining through these grids and patterns.”

Over the last five years Rula’s brand grew exponentially, with a reach to over 30 countries which then prompted her to think about one woman, irrespective of heritage.

“The story started to become more international, the designs matured a lot and became more cutting edge and avant garde to the point where I felt I outgrew the name initially Poupee was a metaphor for the ideal woman with its girly resonances but now I see Rula Galayini as the grown up Poupée Couture.”

The name change was the consequence of Rula’s first foray into crowdfunding where both her practical and creative minds were at work. “When I started Poupée Couture in 2007 it was self-funded - I was working in advertising and literally just put $200 aside to start experimenting but from that point onwards I didn’t put more money into the brand it was self-funding itself. Over the years all the money was going

“People in the region are looking at fashion as a sustainable business and something viable to invest in and not just a hobby anymore”

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towards development and when I got to the point where I felt the brand was defined and strong in aesthetic I turned to crowdfunding - a year and a half ago.”

“I put the whole project online through Eureeca, a Dubai based crowdinvesting platform, where you sell off parts of your company to investors, who buy shares into your company. It was a really interesting exercise as I sat with consultants who analysed the brand equity and P&Ls (profits and losses) that I had got over the years and they evaluated the company to be worth $700,000 which was amazing because from a designer’s point of view I never really sat to consider this side of the business I was building. I was too busy thinking about the collections.”

If the idea of crowdinvesting seems foreign to you, Rula felt the same way initially. “It’s not the easiest thing to get your head around, just trying to decode the language at the beginning was a struggle but I worked with consultants who were guiding me through but I was very much involved from the beginning with all the costs and valuations and building a strong business plan.”

So is this the process du jour for up and coming designers?

“It’s a very personal decision. Some people have enough funds already and don’t need this route. Through my experience a lot of people in the region are looking at fashion as a sustainable business, and something viable to invest in and not just a hobby because previously people just looked at fashion as a

“I worked with consultants who guided me through and I was very much involved from the beginning with all the costs and valuations and building a strong business plan” pastime. Even the founders of the crowdinvesting platform weren’t sure how I was going to perform as it was the first time they had a fashion related business involved. It pushes you out of your comfort zone for sure but you create a network of individuals who became ambassadors of the brand and want it to be as successful as you do.”

But let’s put the numbers aside and talk aesthetics.

Surprisingly, “I don’t look at fashion for inspiration,” admits Rula. “I look towards architecture and product design.” The signature collection which includes the Cuff line blurs the lines between jewellery and handbags where your arm, literally, acts as a buffer between the two. “The idea behind this is to question the way we carry out clutches and try to create a new way of holding them. I want my clutches to hang off your hand like a bangle.”

Visit the online store www.rulagalyini.com or Galeries Lafayette - The Dubai Mall The Cartel - Al Serkal Avenue - Dubai

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For the Modern Middle-Eastern Woman

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE BAHRAIN

The Fashion Issue The Best of AW15 Trends

Have Bloggers Taken Over?

The region’s best reveal all

Plus...

10 Best Beauty Buys This Season

“Knowledge is Power” Guerlain’s Esther Kamatari’s exclusive interview

SEPTEMBER 2015 ISSUE 129 BAHRAIN BD2 KSA SR10

September Edition available now on issuu.com/ohlalabahrain 40

www.ohlala-magazine.com

ARE THEY

bigger THAN US?

There was once a time when the media were given the most exclusive and only access to openings, fashion shows and events alike. Now we’re competing against a burgeoning bunch of bloggers who provide instant, on-the-ground coverage, before we’ve even sat down to sift through our Inbox in the morning.

So have they really taken over? Or is this just their 15 minutes of fame?

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oHLALA Feature

I

t was at the Dubai Fashion Forward last April when it properly dawned on us. There were more bloggers than there were media people present. And it wasn’t all that hard to decipher. Bloggers stood out in wearable art, exaggerated fascinators and loud, really loud, costume style outfits. One blogger, who at the time was still trying to make a name for himself, wore a suit jacket with stick-on butterflies, and stood out for his polychrome pallet. Nothing about his choice of outfit was subtle - it was clearly a conscious decision.

In a society where being more outrageously fabulous than the next person gives you a legion of followers, a public image that PRs capitalise for brand exposure and a social life that make the Hilton sisters look like they’re sleeping under a rock, it’s definitely a fine life. Not to mention, bloggers have now joined the industry specialists on the FROW, furiously note-taking and deftly capturing the action. More and more, being a blogger is a legitimate, full-time job and is a mainstay in the region, not least because of the fivestar lifestyle many enjoy and want to share to the masses.

But first and foremost, fashion, has given a voice to many. The democratic principles of

blogging has allowed anyone who is anyone to express their style, interests and opinions. And now that we’re in the golden era of fashion blogging, the tables have turned. The fashion industry is not commanded by designers as such anymore.

People,ordinary people, are paving the way for trends and are the inspiration for new direction because of the personal brands they create on social media, followed by a loyal score of ‘likes’. They have changed the dynamic completely. There has always been a preoccupation towards ground-breaking fashion in the Middle East, and now the bloggers are amplifying that noise.

And while blogging is a free zone, available to all, its prominence has

“The democratic principles of blogging has allowed anyone who is anyone to express their style, interests and opinions. And now that we’re in the golden era of fashion blogging, the tables have turned”

seen a surge of talent style agencies grow in an attempt to foster the cream of the crop and headhunt the best of the bunch, giving them celebrity-like status. Mohammad Mondal, the founder of We Trend Style, a talent agency, says the popularity of blogging is owed to the region’s business network, which cultivates content. On top of that: “A large part of the population in this region are expats who established their blogs in their home countries and continue to post about their life while living here.”

So where could this blogging phenomenon possibly take us? According to Mohammad, the next step is reality TV: “Bloggers need their own reality TV show which is what we at We Trend Style plan to do soon, creating a show that revolves around bloggers who will get a chance to showcase their talent.”

We cannot deny the fact that there are talented individuals who have gone from zero to style hero in the matter of a few blog posts. What comes next in this industry is something only time and technology will tell. But one thing’s for sure, the stakes will be raised.

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The Best of the Bunch We GeT THe loWDoWn FRom THe ReGion’s mosT PRominenT BloGGeRs on HoW To GeT To THe ToP oF THe BloGGeRsPHeRe.

I Speak Fashion Based in Bahrain and Hong Kong

Blogs About Daily outfits along with the occasional fashion trend report, and manicure shots of the week.

Instagram Followers 7K

Clumsy Chic Based in Doha, Qatar

Blogs About Clumsy Chic follows the mantra of celebrating the little things in life and living an effortless lifestyle.

Instagram Followers 2232 I started a blog to have a creative outlet to blog about things I’m passionate about. I genuinely love what I do and enjoy connecting with other people. I spent the past two years building my brand and took the time to test the waters, found out what type of content excited me, solidified my content and execution approach and worked on an aesthetic for Clumsy Chic from my logo and blog design.

Outfit posts against a stunning background

always gets me the most likes on Instagram. I love that Instagram provides bloggers another channel to express themselves creatively and connect with readers. It’s definitely become a form of microblogging.

Collaborate with people and brands who share the same vision and voice as your brand and hopefully something fruitful will come out of that partnership through mutual respect and admiration. People can see through someone who is out to do it for monetary gain and it’s very easy to lose credibility in the bloggersphere.

Ask yourself the question before working on a post: Is this something I want to read and see if it was on another website?

It’s not all about you, it’s about your followers as well. Engage with the community. There’s a level of narcissism with blogs but it’s important to connect with your readers and build a community. Be Patient and enjoy the journey. Blogs look seamless but it takes a lot of work to look as good as they do.

Studying fashion in Hong Kong gave me a lot of exposure to the Asian fashion world and also gave me the opportunity to present the Arabic culture to both Asian and European worlds. Followers are interested in the process of putting an outfit together. Which is why Snapchat is great because it gives more in depth exposure. People are always curious to see the daily life of a blogger or even a stylist.

I’ve recently been more drawn to basic colours such as black, white (lots of white) and nude or natural colours. I’ve always been a very loud person wearing all sorts of bright colours and prints, so it’s a big change for me (guess I’m just growing up!).

My blog grew gradually as it started as a hobby, then it took off and became what it is today. People started approaching me for fashion tips and asking me what to buy and how to wear things.

My Coach shoes and Jimmy Choo wallet are my favourite gifts I’ve ever gotten!

There’s always room for improvement. Focus on one thing and work on it. Images are the main part of blogging. Make sure your pictures are interesting and clear.

INSTAGRAM: @CLUMSYCHIC | BLOG: WWW.CLUMSYCHIC.COM

INSTAGRAM: @ISPEAKFASHIONCO | BLOG: WWW.ISPEAKFASHION.CO www.ohlala-magazine.com

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oHLALA Feature

LeylaB Based in Dubai, UAE

Blogs About Daily looks, style, events, fashion shows, food, travel and family of course a big part of it is fashion.

Reinvent Yourself Based in Dubai, UAE

Blogs About A guide of all those beautiful and interesting things that makes our life as little women happier and more stylish.

Instagram Followers 12.2K It’s about a blogger’s personality. There are many bloggers out there that get important sponsorship and resources but aren’t able to gain public sympathy yet. Readers will follow bloggers that can engage the public with useful and interesting content, with honest opinions and natural or genuine demeanor.

The most likes on Instagram are of fashion and beauty products mood boards (people always will like the posts of the things they crave for), selfies (because you are the reason they following/like you) and pictures of the 44

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Instagram Followers? exotic places/beaches that they dream to visit one day.

You can grow and create monthly income from blogging. Gaining interests shouldn’t be a primary idea when someone starts a blog. If you’re going to be thinking pragmatically you’re going to miss the joy, fun and spontaneous elements of it. And you’ll probably lose your motivation and curiosity halfway.

Receiving the invitations to the shows at Milan Fashion Week for SS14 is a feeling I still remember. The excitement was amazing.

I piece the “My Style” section of my blog emotionally. It sounds silly but I always wear according to how I feel. My moods decide for me and luckily there are plenty of trends out there to choose from.

I discovered my passion for interior design a few years ago when I started moving from one country to another and therefore changed homes, which is why I now have a decor section on my blog. What fascinates me the most about interior design is the similarities with fashion. I find the process of matching interior patterns, colours, and angles, similar to the way you style an outfit.

I am a lingerie and swimwear designer.

Blogging is my hobby but I love collaboration. I like to meet and work with new designers, I find it very inspiring. I’ve noticed lately followers like photos with less filters. Your likes will increase if you engage and hashtag appropriately.

The reader experience is more important than SEO. Try your best to make the blog as interesting as possible.

Think the unthinkable, it will present you with an opportunity. Bloggers are the future of fashion branding, so being ‘schmoozy’ is simply part of the whole set up.

If you want to review something, whether it’s a product or hotel, be direct with the PR. Sell yourself and your ability to sell them/it. Describe how you intend to promote their product and that your followers are the target audience. Be honest!

Your followers do actually need to be the right demographic.

Keep your post short. But also give away your knowledge and be consistent. And of course, understand your audience and get ideas from them too.

INSTAGRAM: @REINVENTYOURSELF | BLOG: WWW.REINVENTYOURSELF.GUIDE

INSTAGRAM: @LEYLABRUNTON | BLOG: WWW.LEYLAB.NET

7k

Insta

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The Modest Belle

Based In Bahrain

Blogs About Fashion, beauty and lifestyle. I am a huge makeup junkie, so I’m constantly testing out new products and reviewing them on my blog and YouTube channel.

Instagram Followers 3K There is a misperception that bloggers need to be a certain way to stand out. In my opinion, it’s all about being yourself and showing your individuality.

I’m always listening to the feedback of my followers and readers and I really value their input. I definitely wouldn’t have made it this far without the support I received from my family, friends and amazing readers/viewers/followers.

Filming, editing videos and writing blog posts take time. Generally, I post on the blog and my YouTube channel once a week. On social media, I post at least once a day. Snapchat has definitely taken over the bloggersphere. Many people update their Snapchat account daily instead of their blogs. It’s a great way of learning/sharing new information. It’s very important to invest in a proper domain name and website design.

And when you post always choose quality over quantity.

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Sheida Fashionista Based In Dubai, UAE

Blogs About Fashion, beauty and lifestyle.

Instagram Followers 71K The most exciting experience for me as a blogger was when Anastasia Beverly Hills sent me a huge package of her makeup products.

This wasn’t about the products, I mean, of course I was ecstatic to receive them but it was much deeper than that for me. All my life I have tried to prove to people that the fashion and beauty industry is my calling. And for a person I idolise like Anastasia, to not only notice me, but to actually believe in me to send me this package meant the world to me. I was very emotional.

I always need dimension when I photograph.

I adore how food bloggers take their cleverly arranged items and photograph from a bird’s

eye view. But this almost never works for me.

If I’m running errands I don’t have half as much makeup on and I’m usually in flats and casual clothes and I’m always worried people will recognise me in that state! But I don’t stage my photos or outfits, I don’t get dressed up to go out to a location just to shoot my ‘outfit of the day’, I just capture what I already look like for that day and try to find a decent spot in the location I’m in.

I think it is important to follow your vision for your blog and attend events that suit your style rather than just being there for the sake of attending. You’ve got to be active. People follow you for a reason. Be humble. There is nothing more unattractive than a person who is too big for their boots. There is ALWAYS someone bigger and better than you, and it’s your followers who make you who you are.

My dream is to travel around the world and blog in every destination I visit. Everywhere has a different energy and beauty and I love to capture it all. From the nature of beautiful islands to the busy city life. The different cultures, fashion, styles never ceases to fascinate .

INSTAGRAM: @SHEIDAFASHIONISTA BLOG: WWW. SHEIDAFASHIONISTA.COM

The Men’s Corner

oHLALA Feature

WHile FemAle BloGGeRs DominATe THe scene, THeRe ARe noneTHeless some sARToRiAlly suAve GenTlemen To FolloW Too..

The Style Choreo

Andy Scott Fashion

Mr Moudz

Based In

Based In

Based In

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dubai, London and Orlando

DubaI, UAE

Blogs About

Blogs About

Blogs About

Style, fashion trends and lifestyle, I mainly focus on my own style.

All things gentleman’s lifestyle. Posts range from fashion, cars, grooming and more.

Lifestyle. Everything from my travels and restaurant recommendations to cars.

Instagram Followers

Instagram Followers

Instagram Followers

15.8K

10.2k

52k

The timing of my posts is important. But equally posts which focus on my #Flatlays outfit grid, foodie post #PaulDineInStyle and scenery of #MyDubai & #SimplyAbuDhabi.

I was working as a Visual Artist for an American clothing line in Abu Dhabi when I first started my blog. I decided to moved to Dubai to start a new career but it fell through. But I stuck with the blogging and soon became full-time. Back in Abu Dhabi, I now work for a British clothing line.

Being a brand ambassador is my ultimate goal. So far I am a Guess Access Blogger for Guess Watches. I have my own profile on their official site. I get the privilege of owning the latest GUESS Watches every two months.

And here in the U.A.E. I’ve gotten the chance to work with HUAWEI where I always get their newest smartphone launch. I also love the monogrammed luxury velvet slippers from Bachelor Shoes.

Make sure that people are not being bored to death, be creative in the way you inform.

Starting out in America and then moving to Dubai has helped grow my audience. I’m from London so my blog takes me between all three places. Going to constant events in Dubai along with the fashion opportunities has helped me grow.

Everyone and there dog is now suddenly a blogger, but numbers and content talk, let’s just leave it at that!

Receiving a nice watch to me is always a bonus, as I’ve worked closely with watch brands before - whether it be Armani or Daniel Wellington. Also free shoes keeps me happy, I have 200+ pairs. HUGE ADDICT. Travelling around seems to be on trend.

Everyone seems to be trying to post an outfit pic behind beautiful scenery.

INSTAGRAM: @ITSMEPAULRAMOS BLOG: WWW.THESTYLECHOREO.BLOGSPOT.COM

INSTAGRAM: @ANDY_SCOTT_UK BLOG: WWW.ANDYSCOTTFASHION.BLOGSPOT.COM

You need to give people a reason to want to follow you. There are so many people out there that have a unique vision, yet they tend to want to blend in with the crowd.

Pictures with celebrities always get the most likes! My two most liked photos on Instagram are pictures with the Kardashians.

I’ve always loved taking pictures as you get to capture a moment and keep it forever. I am always very specific about what I post.

I own a fashion consultancy and work on special projects – that brings in money for me, but through blogging alone, I have been able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, the consultancy just adds to that.

Remember that you create your own rules so don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy what you post but remember to be selective about it too.

INSTAGRAM: @MRMOUDZ | BLOG: WWW.MRMOUDZ.COM www.ohlala-magazine.com

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oHLALA Feature

THE

MODERN

F A C E OF BEAUTY A BuRunDiAn PRincess, FRAnce’s FiRsT BlAck RunWAy moDel, PHilAnTHRoPisT AnD RecenTly APPoinTeD AmBAssADRess oF GueRlAin, esTHeR kAmATARi HAs some incReDiBle liFe sToRies To sHARe.

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“Beauty is like a painting.

If you don’t take care of it, overtime it’s gone”

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oHLALA Feature

E

sther Kamatari is an enlightened woman.

Chatting to her is like listening to a modern philosopher. Her passion about revolutionising the way we see beauty is palpable and rich in thought.

While we’ve arranged to chat about her new ambassadorial role at Guerlain, given her illustrious career spanning over four decades, conversation soon turns to her beginnings.

Born into royalty, Esther’s uncle was King Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge of Burundi.

In 1970 the tiny African country between Rwanda and Tanzania was in a state of political upheaval, where several royal family members were assassinated, including Esther’s father. She thus exiled her war-torn nation and headed for Paris, bright-eyed and without a cent to her name. “I left Burundi to ride my life,” she says with the same enthusiasm she had when she first arrived in Paris. A displaced Esther took the bull by the horns, “I arrived with a lot of courage and enthusiasm” and bags of curiosity for human nature. “At the airport I was just watching people be, I was so surprised when I saw someone put a coin in a machine and get a Coca Cola in return, but it was wonderful. And I have to admit, I was stunned to see so many white people at the same time.”

Despite being untrained in life as it were, Esther had one very powerful asset in her arsenal: “I had just one thing in my luggage: my education. You can come from a royal family or a poor family – if you don’t have education you don’t go anywhere. With education you have the possibility to engage with people, respect them and represent your country.”

Esther could easily carry her royal clout wherever she goes, using and abusing her title for personal gain but in a refreshingly humble way, she laughs this idea off. “My mother always used to say to me, ‘just because you’re a princess it doesn’t mean you don’t have to do things because you never know when you’ll need to’. She was so right.”

Indeed a chance encounter at the airport, upon her arrival in Paris, restored her faith in humanity at a time when it was perhaps lost. “All I had on me was a toothbrush and a couple sheets of paper, that’s it. I sat down at the airport arrivals and simply waited. A man approached me and said hello and we started to talk and later ended up going to

lunch where I told him my whole back-story about my life in Burundi. And then gave me 1000 Francs (the equivalent of approximately €152), a hotel room to stay in for 10 days, a telephone number of a priest and he said if nothing happens for me, call him. He shook my hand and said good luck. I’ve never seen him since. That’s why when you have such a welcome into a country like this, you can only reciprocate.”

Not once does Esther come across as self-entitled. Her airport encounter only strengthened her humility and want to pay this gratitude forward. Even talking about her catwalk career, one that was headline making and inspired a wave of black models to the scene, she almost skirts around the immensity of it by “always being humble” and never letting her success get to her head.

“The African woman doesn’t need your tears, she needs an example, because she deserves it.

Knowledge is power”

E

sther’s timing into the fashion world couldn’t have been better though. Paris was in the mood for change. To see something different. “Fashion wanted to see the world without [rose-tined] glasses,” she says. Doors started to open but it was the element of survival that drove her success. “When you’re young and you need to eat, you just do it. It was a lot easier back then because there were no agencies, it was a case of picking up the telephone and putting yourself out there.”

She was the first to wear wedding collections for high fashion, Lanvin no less, and was also nominated for a star of fashion in

1979 in Sydney, Australia. And for over half a decade, Esther has been linked with Guerlain, and her recent accession to spokesperson was only a matter of time. “When you have a long-standing relationship, your respect for each other grows. Stepping into this role (it became official in June of this year) wasn’t a big surprise but it allows me to transmit to women that they can all be beautiful.

Guerlain is very sensitive to the universality of beauty. And of course, black people, we are in the universe! Guerlain has the most beautiful products for the skin, they’re very luxurious.

Beauty is like a painting – if you don’t take care of it, overtime it’s gone.”

The word transmission is at the forefront of Esther’s lexicon. She drops the word several times during the interview.

“The African women also need to have access to beauty – transmitting this idea to women is the biggest thing – especially because it’s free.” Look at any beauty campaign and you’ll notice how the face is invariably of Caucasian origin, which is purely a cultural phenomenon - and needs more diversity. But if anyone can bridge that disparity between races, it’s Esther, who wants every woman to be proud and realise their value, whatever their socio-economic standing. “In Africa you see a woman who is poor but you notice she has a mobile phone.

And she charges it does she not? She can survive. She is smart enough and has enough access. The African woman doesn’t need your tears, she needs an example, because she deserves it. Knowledge is power. I’ve been working alongside Guerlain recently in the Ivory Coast and in November we’re going to Cameroon.”

In the past Esther has expressed a desire to become president of Burundi and while she stills wants to impart knowledge to the people, it doesn’t have to be in a governmental position for it to happen. “I want to fight for the younger generation of women to have access for education. I think if I do it from where I stand now, it will be stronger whereas if I was fighting to be president, it would get sidelined.”

In true prophetic form, she closes her rhetoric on beauty with a resounding: “everyone deserves beauty. Beauty creates emotion – when you see a sunrise, whether you’re poor or rich, it produces the same emotion. That physical beauty reflects in the people.” www.ohlala-magazine.com

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W i l d ArAbiAn rose s SWATCHES OF LIQUID SATIN, BLOOD RED SHADES, DREAMLIKE PROPORTIONS AND SUMPTUOUS FOLDS, THE AUTUMN-WINTER 2015-16 COLLECTION BY BAMBAH EMBRACES THE CLASSICAL TEMPERAMENT OF A WOMAN. SHOT IN THE GRANDEUR OF THE MENA HOUSE HOTEL IN GIZA, EGYPT, THE COLLECTION IS EVERY BIT LUXURIOUS.

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Ohlala Arabia Bringing style across The Middle East

ARABIA

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OHLALA!

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BEAuty Buzz go abstract and go graphic with some serious lines in between Take the plum, or deepest black for this fall’s beauty trends

tHis SEASON’S runWAy trEnds

Pat McGrath gives us an insight of a true statement colour trend with Maison Margiela

HeRe’s A RounD uP oF All THe ToP looks To Love AnD emBRAce.

MAC

take it from MAC, graphic eyes are in trend for this season. yay or nay?

Take an apricot route on the cheeks with Guerlain

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BLACK EYELINER PENCIL IS BACK!

keep it clean and keep it bright? Dramatic lips for the season is a must

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Dramatic smokey eyes with some bold burgundy lips

Espirit dior tokyo Backstage gives us some sparkly, graphic eyelids 64

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Dior

They’ve got colour blocking down.

Guerlain

cool hues are perfect for that smoky eye this season

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BEAuty Buzz

the musings

of a Modern Woman As KENDALL JENNER is the global face for ESTéE LAuDER’S newest fragrance, MODERN MuSE LE ROuGE, inspired by the glamorous, more provocative side of a MODERN MuSE, she answers quick fire questions about what inspires her and gives a behind the scenes insight into the campaign shoot.

I feel daring when…? I wear Modern Muse Le Rouge.

I feel confident when…? I’ve got a great outfit on I feel sexy when…? I’m sun-kissed.

Who inspires you and why?

My family is a huge inspiration for me; they’ve always been there through it all.

How does wearing the colour red make you feel?

Strong and confident, extremely girlie and ready for an evening out.

What is your favourite way to apply fragrance?

I spray it everywhere and a lot of it! I especially like to spray it in my hair because it really absorbs the smell and every time I move, you can smell it.

What is the earliest scent you can remember?

My mother’s cooking…she’s an incredible cook!

What is your favorite red fashion moment?

Red around Christmas time always feels right.

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Modern Muse Le Rouge is your first fragrance campaign. Why is this important to you?

This is so important to me because I feel it really validates all my hard work. This is a huge moment in my career and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do… My dreams are becoming my reality and I feel so lucky.

The campaign was shot on the streets of LA. Any funny/interesting moments happen on set?

It was shot right after my birthday in LA so I was in great spirits! Also to be shooting in my home town, there’s nothing better. We had shot in the streets of Downtown LA and I went unnoticed for a bit (which is rare) however, at one point the paparazzi found us so we had to cover up with umbrellas for the remainder of the shoot.

Describe the type of woman you think will like Modern Muse Le Rouge A stylish, strong, very feminine woman.

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BEAuty Buzz play it dramatic with a dark lip

HONEY TRAP LIP BALM BY LUSH

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survivAL neW seAson, neW you. ARm youRselF WiTH THese musT-HAves.

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BEAuty Buzz

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KIM KARDASHIAN

if the classy arch, yet full bold eyebrow is what you’re aiming for, go for a retractable pencil and fill in those eyebrows of yours.

SOFIA VERGARA

Run-it-wild! sofia vergara knows how to rock a wild set of eyebrows. Fill them in and enhance your eyebrow colour with some serious dipbrow gel by anastasia and set it all with Marc Jacob’s brow gel.

tHiCk’Em thick, bushy, and yet ‘wolfy’ eyebrows are a staple trend you won’t want to miss. Check out the tricks of the trade for A-list eyebrows.

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Take it from Jenny from the block: keep them clean, but with a bushy twist. Add a bit of brow gel, comb them away and highlight that brow bone.

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BEAuty Insight

KAT VON D

Takes The Middle East Beauty extraordinaire Kat Von D gives us the scoop about her new line to be launched exclusively at sephora. We find out what rocks her world.

You’re an incredible, talented, and artistic woman, inspiring many around the globe. What brought you to start your own makeup line?

Well, thank you for such a complimentary introduction! When Sephora initially approached me about releasing a makeup line, I was beyond thrilled. I had been a Beauty Insider for years, and such an avid fan of all things beauty, that it felt almost too good to be true. But, in hindsight, it does make sense now. I’ve been completely driven by a passion for art since I can remember, so that made it easy for me to understand how to channel my artistic background into the world of makeup.

Has makeup always been a passion of yours?

I first began to experiment with makeup in my early teens. And, although I didn’t exactly know what I was doing when applying it, I found a deep love for how makeup allowed me to express myself. I have to admit, I don’t believe I truly knew how to wear makeup well until I began creating Kat Von D Beauty eight years ago. Much like tattooing, I’ve learned so much about the art form of makeup artistry through having a better understanding of formulas, tools, and technique.

What can we expect from your makeup line?

Favourite lipstick colour and texture?

Red will always be my favourite. It’s the classic embodiment of femininity, and will never go out of style. As for texture, I am a huge fan of long-wear, as well as a velvet, matte finish – especially for bold shades. Matte finishes look great in natural light as well as photos. Plus, I have long, wild hair that would make a mess out of a glossy red lip! Ha!

Are you a makeup trend follower? What are you obsessed with for the upcoming season?

Not at all. I can appreciate beauty in any approach and style – even if it’s not one I’d personally wear. But by default, I tend to be an antifollower. To me, it’s important to make conscious decisions, versus doing something in order to blend with others. A lot of times, trends revolve around changing your existing look into something that’s conventionally more beautiful in this day and age, and that doesn’t excite me at all. But, one thing that seems to be new, and that I am excited about, is this sense of freedom that people have adopted. It feels like the age of being timid or shy of trying something new is over, and people are celebrating being different.

What would you say is your signature look?

The three main pillars that make up Kat Von D Beauty are: Long wear, high pigment, and full coverage. Those three qualities are obvious, but what I believe people can expect is an artful-minded, high quality set of versatile beauty tools that will enable and inspire you to create. Makeup is supposed to be fun and expressive!

I’m not sure if I could choose a specific look as a signature for myself.

Although a lot of people know me for a bold, red lip and an exaggerated cat-eye winged eyeliner, I feel more like a chameleon. I love diversity and trying new things constantly!

A makeup step you can’t miss?

The best beauty advice you’ve ever heard?

Primer. Perhaps because primer isn’t seen, it tends to be underrated. I remember the first time I discovered eyeshadow primer, it changed my entire beauty world!

“Relax. It’s just lipstick.”

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BEAuty Column I’ve always been one of those gawkers whose eyes

trail colourful narratives on people’s biceps, placing meaning as best I can with the available stimulus. I think about how much it hurt to get done, how long and why and when they got it. Some are easier to decode than others - you can never see too many flaming suns or dragons but a Garuda, that takes some deep level thinking.

“Oh wow! That’s incredible,” I’ll say to someone with lurid designs, followed by: “I really want to get one too, but I don’t know where” full of bounce and hard core commitment but really I’m just trying to show I have the cojones to sit through what’s been described to me as “persistent stabblings (baby stabs)” when I’m actually not even interested in stick and lick tattoos let alone the real deal.

“It always catches me off guard when if I’ve only known them as longsleeved, fully covered individuals. ”

tattoos

Tasteful or Taboo?

Getting inked is not as sacrilegious as it once was. We’ve become much more accepting of this artistic expression.

But has it gone too far? Georgie Bradley explores our fascination with decorating our bodies.

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Once the reserve of subcultures – think nihilistic folk, prisoners and their teardrops of all criminal disciplines, prisoners of war crimes, underbelly tribes, rowdy gang members – the associations of tattoos has never been particularly elegant; can you imagine an upper crust debutante from the 1950s with a “Suck It!” slogan sitting on her shoulders? “Shock…horror! She must be blacklisted from the annual Cotillion!” But the renaissance of its popularity since the turn of the century has made the art form a mainstream obsession where even the hoity toity have presentations of grit on their bodies.

I say obsession because getting these permanent fixtures on your body, and I’m talking about the sleeves, polo necks and trousers of tattoos, not a discreet star on the phalanges of your foot, is about as widespread as an Apple product – everyone’s got one. It always catches me off guard when I first see someone’s tattoo, especially if I’ve only known them as long-sleeved, fully covered individuals.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see them in a more riotous light, but as hasty as I am to judge someone with an obscenely foolish (and can tell they think it’s foolish too) disaster on them, I enjoy seeing the picture stories on people who clearly suit the design.

But then there’s the regret. The younger you are, the more fickle you’ll be. I feel this way simply from experience. I change my mind too quickly for a waitress to handle let alone a tattoo artist. And what of age? Wrinkled skin with a smeared smudge?

No thanks. Think long-term people. I recently read however, that a 70 something man got a tattoo after years of toying with the idea. Had I read more and found out that this person got it on a lads on tour trip to Ibiza, well, I would have simply taken my hat off to him.

It’s always going to be hard to shake off the taboo of a tattoo but let’s not forget that a tattoo doesn’t make you less able to do your job, be a good person, or do anything for that matter.

For some though, it adds beauty to the wearer. I’m looking at you Lena Dunham and Ruby Rose.

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CHiC Eats

Nicole’s

Mediterranean Medley As the summer season has come to a close, we’re still clinging on to the glory days of sun, sand and sea by taking a trip to the MED via NICOLE’S. The benefits of the Med diet

- we’ve all heard it before - touted as goodness and health giving, glistening in olive oil and best of all, a tummy pleaser for most. It’s always a relief to know what you love eating is actually good for you because more often than not, it’s the reverse.

The ever burgeoning block 338 is a weekend the scene is the colourful Nicole’s. Set along a riot of bright exteriors, Nicole’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge evokes your last trip to the sun-drenched Med. The building for a start, could easily be on a craggy precipice in Greece’s Santorini, with its vibrant shades of yellow, blue and that symbolic brilliant white.

Come September the halcyon days of summer leaves one in a forlorn state of dreamy memories transported back to the water fronted taverns in the thyme, drinking a cooling beer with a tickling breeze ebbing in and out while seagulls dexterously whoosh past and pick up crumbs. roof (with a beautiful roof-top terrace) where you can be in Italy in one corner and Lebanon in another. The walls have mounted images of iconic harbours and glassy waters while the atmosphere has a sophisticated chicness in its simplicity and non fussy decor. compartmentalised sharing platter - a selection of bresaola, chicken liver pâté bruschetta, zucchini scapece, marinated olives, Montasio cheese, roasted

becomes that much more moorish. It was lightly crisp and gushy on the inside. It’s amazing how a simple grill

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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR RESERVATIONS CALL: 17280700 OR VISIT: WWW.NICOLESBH.COM

league of tastiness. Naturally, every participating food in the platter was doused and shimmering in

as the liberal butter lemon sauce tied all the bursting scallops, hardening them to a concrete slab, with no chance of resuscitation but Nicole’s has done them

experience, our mains consisted of their best seafood options. In tandem, the Norwegian salmon steak and the sea scallops, in hefty deep plates, perfectly pink salmon, on a tidy bed of wild rice with a generous drizzle of garlic buerre blanc on the parameters was gorgeously smooth, cooked with the king of salmons - if you’re going to do salmon right, you have to look beyond the beloved Med and snap it up from the Scandis - and then anoint it with appropriate garnishings, of course.

Before diving into our dessert - a chocolate and amaretto parfait - owner of Nicole’s, Denise, tells us that friends have long since begged for the recipe, only to be turned down each time as it’s a Torte recipe, the original that is, which is bolted up in a safe away from prying and praying eyes wanting to achieve its marvellous richness. Nicole’s parfait is an absolute triumph, good enough to make your eyes close with each slow spoonful. The amaretto in particular gave the dessert its edge, as did the mint leaves. That’s the thing about Med food, the

served with peppery rucola with fans of chopped feel like a greasy ball afterwards make it a favourite this dish certainly doesn’t skimp on its ingredients www.ohlala-magazine.com

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CHiC Eats

SEPTEMBER DINING “First we eat, then we do everything else.”

M.F.K. Fisher

Royal Golf Club Bahrain

After a game of golf, a relaxed and yummy dining experience is a must. Royal Golf Club Bahrain has the perfect dining experience for guests. Prego Restaurant at the Royal Golf Club Bahrain has launched a new menu offering family-friendly dining at its best. New additions to the menu include seafood risotto, stuffed chicken supreme, beef lasagne to name but a few. The Friday Brunch at Links Restaurant has been reinvented over the summer and re-launches this September as an A La Carte Brunch. Diners will be able to enjoy a superb selection of tempting dishes at their leisure while enjoying the stunning golf course views. Call 1775 1262.

Bushido

Enjoy the essence of fresh Japanese cuisine with our Chef ’s special September Sakana menu. ‘Sakana’ is Japanese for ‘fish’ and presents a selection of exclusive and unique dishes to try throughout the month. Dishes on the menu include Seared Butterfish New Style served with colourful capsicum and delicately topped with Tobiko and Ikura. Lightly Smoked Salmon and Tuna Nigiri are beautifully presented especially for this menu, atop a pink bed of subtly flavoured beetroot and raspberry rice. Meanwhile the Gindara Foilyaki consists of a shimmery package of baked Black Cod and seasonal vegetables, for a deliciously moist dish to unwrap. Call 1758 3555.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

CUT by Wolfgang Puck is one of the best steak houses on the island. This sleek, modern American steakhouse delivers innovation at every level through its unique culinary, service and design combination. The menu features the widest and best selection of beef available. From prime dry- and wet-aged beef to shellfish and sautéed and roasted whole fresh fish, CUT’s menu provides broad appeal. Indulge into Wolfgang Puck’s favourite dishes at the CUT Brunch served every Saturday from 12.30 pm onwards, priced at BD29++ including soft package and BD39++ for the alcohol package. One can also enjoy a three course Business lunch served in 60 minutes at BD19++. Call 1711 5044.

Make a splash, play with your kids, have some fun, and eat lots of great food!

That’s what Friday brunch should be about, and Elite Resort and Spa does it right. Starting with a broad selection of mezzes, move on to live grills, traditional 78

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IMAGES MILES ALDRIDGE

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CHiC Eats main courses, and finally delectable desserts. The spread also features international favorites. Get some traditional henna designs skillfully applied to your hands, or have a Bassara (fortune teller) unravel the mysteries of your future. Take a turn at holding a falcon, or simply dive into the pool. Special games are organized for kids too. Live singers keep the mood upbeat through the afternoon as you relax with a cup of tea and perhaps a second helping of dessert. Call 1731 3333.

Movenpick Hotel Bahrain

Indulge in the Monday’s seafood night, where you can experience a unique medley of super succulent seafood delicacies and taste the freshest catch at Silk’s restaurant with seafood night. What makes it an ideal night out for seafood lovers is the best selection of popular and traditional seafood dishes. On the buffet, a vast range of aquatic delicacies, from sushi, sashimi, seafood dim sum, tempura, oysters, slipper lobster and tiger prawns to popular fish like grouper or red snapper. The talented team of chefs will prepare your favourite catch, just the way you like it, at BD22 net and BD27 net per person including unlimited selected wines, beers and soft drinks. Call 17460017.

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

Set in a superb atmosphere of Golestan Iranian Restaurant at Sheraton Bahrain hotel with elegant and unique setting, this business lunch is oneof-a-kind. Start up the meal with freshly made Arabic bread and sample the selection of classic dishes. In the starters, try Mast-O-Khiyar (Yogurt mixed with chopped cucumbers) and Fresh greens with feta cheese, walnuts and mint. Choose one a main course dish, from Joojeh Kebab Bestokhan and Koobideh served with Zereshk, Baghali and Saffron rice or the Chelo Kebab Koobideh and Chicken Koobideh (Marinated mince lamb and chicken) served with Zereshk, Baghali and Saffron rice. These are the highlights, head to Golestan to explore the complete business lunch, at BD12 net per person. Call 1753 3533.

Café Amsterdam

Café Amsterdam has revamped its menu, offering you the best and most delicious modern European cuisine in the kingdom. An entire section ‘from the grill’ has been added to the menu. Using a brand new charcoal oven, that smoky, delicious flavour is infused into all of the meat cuts, as well as the newly added local hammour, fresh salmon, jumbo king prawns and live lobster. A selection of beef, poultry, and a variety of sausages are also grilled to perfection, letting the smoke work its delicious magic. With a range of thin, medium and thick cuts to pick from, corn fed chicken breast, duck magret as well as chicken, beef and pork sausages homemade by the experienced butcher; there’s plenty to indulge in depending on your preferences. All cuts are cooked to your preference. Simply add any your favourite, homemade sauces at no charge, or opt for new additions, including divine Oporto grapes gravy. Not only has the restaurant added new dishes and methods of grilling, but it’s also included a ‘weekly specials’ to the menu, allowing some of your all-time favourites to make a comeback. So don’t worry, you don’t need to say goodbye to any of your favourites just yet! We have given you bits of this lavish new menu; visit Café Amsterdam to enjoy the whole menu. Call 3200 0177.

Gulf Hotel Bahrain

Margarita Mexicana at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain celebrates Mexican National Week from September 13 to 18. They offer guests with two classic dishes from Puebla; Chile Nogada for the meat lovers

and Enchilada Bandera for the vegetarians. There will be live entertainment every Wednesday, Thursday & Friday with Cris on the saxophone and soothing vocalist Toni, who will lighten up your evening. La Pergola launches the all new a la carte menu from September 15, featuring signature classics from all-time favourites to specialty homemade pastas. Chef Enrico highly recommends the Cartoccio, his Sicilian specialty. Gulf Hotel hosts ‘The world on your plate’ across the ten restaurants. Embark on a culinary journey and travel through different cuisines; take on a course from the Asian restaurants followed by the Arabian delights of Zahle and Takht Jamsheed and finishing off with the exotic spices of Rasoi by Vineet. This one of a kind culinary adventure is not to be missed! This tour requires reservation, with a minimum of eight to ten persons. Call 1771 3000.

Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre

Le Meridein has an array of dining options, from brunch to parties.

The Sparkling brunch includes tantalising dishes from meat cuts to seafood delicacies, and pasta station to grills; this brunch has it all! Live music from British and South African duo, Deux Sons creates a calm atmosphere. The brunch is priced at BD16++ including soft drinks and water, or BD24++ including selected free flow beverages. Present your Baharat brunch bill and get a free drink, and enjoy 50% discounts on selected beverages till 7pm at the Bizzare lounge- After Brunch Party. Bizzare Lounge also offers a sparkling and sophisticated happy hour daily from 5pm to 8pm, with half price on selected ‘sparkling specials’ featuring twists on the classics. Call 1717 1000.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa

The Ritz-Carlton offers its guests an array of promotions and themed evenings for the month of September. Discover the world of mushrooms until September 20 with – World of Mushrooms, as Chef Yann Bernard Lejard brings all the earthy aromas to life in a series of unique creations crafted for your senses. Celebrate Eid Al-Adha with family and friends at La Med with a lavish themed brunch on September 25 at BD35 net per person including all beverages. Alternatively discover Arabian food fair at the fullest as you rejoice in a themed night buffet every Friday. Specialties from Lebanon, Morocco, Bahrain and the Middle East are accompanied by the melody of an Oud player at BD 18++ per person. Call 1758 6499.

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Sofitel Bahrain celebrates the ‘Sofitel Grape Days’ during which the brand’s hotels celebrate French wine and art-de-vivre, offering guests a wide array of extraordinary wine experiences from September 21 to October 31, during the traditional wine harvest period in France. Wine by the glass, events, tastings, happy hours; so many special moments in the hotel’s different venues including a daily French wine and cheese tasting in Tapas bar from different regions along with Happy Hours in Amber and Tapas Bar from 5pm to 7pm offering 50% discount on selected French wine. La Mer restaurant hosts an exclusive dinner, every Thursday, which includes a welcome reception and five-course seated dinner perfectly paired with featured wines as well as a special French wine selection during Friday and Arabic brunches. All restaurants will be serving more than 16 variations of French Wine until October 31. Guests will have the option of choosing three wines from the selection, to be served during the meal. Call 1763 6363. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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The Unassuming Wonders of El Salvador SoFiA GRAniELLo sheds light on a nation that is suffering by the minute, yet its beauty, is a true wanderlust escape.

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Vast greenery against a powerful volcano

I

“We are floored with spectacular vegetation, not to mention several volcanoes in the loop” was born and raised in Central

America’s tiny country, El Salvador also known as Sivar. Proud? Yes! Extremely.

But also, you’ve probably noticed El Salvador breaking headlines due to its devastating and tumultuous political issues and how we’ve been shaken by relentless violence, inequality and crime. Yet, putting aside all shadows that may overlap people’s perception of what El Salvador is all about, I decided to showcase and remember why El Salvador is a gem for many outsiders. And when I say, to remember, it’s to acknowledge the beauty in its people, landscapes, food and all the wonders that surrounds my tiny country – battling for 84

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survival. We are lucky enough to have the Pacific Ocean at our feet which therefore makes it a surfer’s paradise. Yes, Paul Walker used to make regular visits and enjoyed the waters as well as our stunning and breathtaking sunsets. We are also known as the country of the hammocks, due to our dangerous and yet, impeccable mountainous scenery, that causes an earthquake or two every once in a while. We are floored with spectacular vegetation, not to mention several volcanoes in the loop, and we’re lucky enough to have beaches 30 minutes away from its capital, San Salvador. We posses what many desire, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, ocean, beaches and yet we’re a nation flooded with poverty.

One of the things that’s worth highlighting, is the people. El Salvador’s populations consist of mestizos of European and Indigenous American descent; also, the great Cuzcatlecs, Lenca and Mayans inhabited the peculiar country and later the Spanish empire colonised in 1525, leaving us with nothing, but doom. We consist of hard working people, knowing that working hard with a good work ethic will take us far. We’ve been pulled into many directions and we’ve survived every bit of what nature and the human race has to offer. We were shredded and destroyed back in the 80s with a civil unrest that culminated into war. By now,

trAvEL Escapes

Coffee Plantation

Surfing at El Tunco

Tazumal Ruins island of Meanguera

Pupusa, Typical dish you’ve got the point - El Salvador has always encountered perilous events. We believe in the ‘American Dream,’ we strive to leave the country for a brighter future, leaving many to cross the border between Mexico and the United Stated of America – which many, never come to see light of day. We are constantly scrutinised as a race and our kindness and heartwarming spirits are taken for granted.

For many years, El Salvador was fuelled by a strong agricultural era, starting off with crops and subsequently with coffee, being one of the top exporting coffee countries in the world. Now, it is all a memory that many hold on to. However, one of the things that don’t seem to evaporate with test of time is the happiness amongst its people. Come to El Salvador and we’ll show you what dancing and laughter is all about.

El Salvador possesses unique and breathtaking places, such as Santa Ana and Tazumal’s exceptional ruins, which is a volcano you can hike! If food is your thing, try our famous Pupusas, a handmade dish corn tortilla filled with beans, cheese, and other typical and local ingredients. If you’re looking for some authentic Salvadoran adventures, take part in daily trips to Ataco where you’ll experience colour, vivicacity and palpable pride; or take on a four day trip to El Pital, El Salvador’s highest territory known for its cold temperatures, and the fact that it borders with our brother country, Honduras. If you want to be in touch with nature and to have a blissful time, it’s a must place to visit.; El Tunco, a highly visited place amongst tourists and locals is a destination point for surfing, chilling and having a good time.

Whether El Salvador may be plagued by troubles, having it in your bucket list essential.

Whether it’s its people, land, humbleness, food, surfing, or other variables that may intrigue your curiosity – it’s a once in a lifetime destination. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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GET IT OR REGRET IT

Pick It Swipe It Drive It

Now only at Ahmed Zayani & Sons!

Drive away your new Dodge Charger with an easy swipe of your CrediMax Credit Card.

No hassle & No extensive paper work!

All CrediMax Credit Card holders are welcomed; New CrediMax Card applicants can apply today at our showroom.

For more information: Visit our showroom or call us on 17 238822.

We are the one’s in Khamis! *Terms & Conditions Apply

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Tel: 17 238822

divA Drives

Indeed, it has been an excellent month hit my inbox, but a rather intriguing invite from

petrolhead pretty our resident diva driver, Lisa Speed, is overwhelmed with good news from all over the world this month!

car range assembled for us to thrash, including the awesome 707hp Charger Hellcat, and the mighty SRT Viper! Mmmm, it’s been a while since I had my hands on so much muscle… were given an agonising choice: EITHER the Hellcat or the Viper. However, I was pulled aside and informed that if I waited for the Hellcat later in the year, I could take it for a weekend road test instead. So, a couple of laps in the Viper it was!

Wow. Just wow… a 640hp 8.4l V10 barely

of metallic dragon. It was sublime, if a little scary, but unfortunately the experience was all too brief.

In other exciting news, Ferrari have now fully launched their successor to the superb 458 Italia, and that will be the twin-turbo 488 GTB. Ferrari were nervous about introducing turbos to their model range, but they needn’t be. It worked very well in the California T, and all reviews of the 488 GTB so far are looking extremely good indeed.

Hopefully, you’ll be seeing my own review on these pages before long! beautiful Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS. I absolutely last year, and the sporty GTS trim only adds to an

the whole thing roared and rumbled like some kind elegant and classy. Bit like me really!

However, unfortunately for the Porsche the ‘elegant and classy’ title has been completely stolen from it this month, and that is saying something. edition ‘Inspired by Fashion’ Rolls-Royce Wraith that speaks to me! it right now. This is the kind of car that could make a girl change her entire wardrobe to white forever

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the 2015 Audi Q7 Handsome, luxurious, practical, and sublime to drive, the new AuDI Q7 is the perfect premium family SuV.

y

driven a few here at Ohlala, and we’ve been impressed by each and every one. However, even by these standards

the model in terms of technology and features. drive system and safety systems as last time, there are now a raft of new additions and driver assistance systems that really take it to another level. second to none. The car is extremely spacious and comfortable, with the added practicality of an optional extra third row of seating to

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The infotainment system was one of the best we’ve seen, especially when mated to the stunning optional Bang & Olufsen premium speaker system. The navigation system uses Google Maps as an interface, which has the option of showing the Satellite imagery for a super clear view of the road.

The ride comfort is impressively smooth, even for a luxury SUV, thanks to the (optional) adaptive air suspension. It is also incredibly easy to drive, with light, responsive steering, and good all-round visibility aided by 360 degree parking cameras. Enhancing the ride comfort is a smooth, and yet satisfying power delivery courtesy of

divA Drives

hter than its predecessor, lig h uc m so al is el od m w ne s hi “T aluminium and of e us r de wi to ks an th t, ac ex be 325kg, to construction� other lightweight materials in its

This new model is also much lighter than its predecessor, 325kg, to be exact, thanks to wider use of aluminium and other

class, and especially tempting now that fuel prices seem to be rising, or about to rise, across the Gulf!

of our favourites: There is the pedestrian warning and brake assist, which will stop the car from running over someone walking into the road; there’s the oncoming collision brake assist, which will stop you turning into an oncoming car; and there is even driverless parking for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

have really come out swinging with this one, and we think the sales

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sEptEmBEr’s Finds From everyday autumnal wear to dazzling watches, we’ve rounded up our September favourites for your boutique buys.

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oHLALA Boutiques

go Gap t still in with the For the ultimate dressed down bu g with the staple season’s trend, you can’t go wron American brand.

1

2

3

1. This Aztec inspired poncho style cape is for those days where you really want to be stylish but want to make little effort - cue this superb fail-safe number!

2. Want to girly up the classic white t-shirt? We love this fun and flirty top - best completed with a pair of jeans or black skinnies to smarten it up!

3. We love a good trench coat as much as the next woman, and let’s be honest, no Autumn is complete without one. This elegant navy coat is a must for the wardrobe.

4. A good old biker jacket never dies, so rough up your look with this metal clad leather number. Of course a pair of biker boots will finish you off nicely too.

5. Denim on denim isn’t to be feared anymore! But be sure to break up the blue with a crisp white blouse for a casual yet sophisticated look.

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Beauty ambition our pick of beauty products we’re loving and know you’ll love too!

warm & fuzzy mblem ’s Lady E montblanc tifying rose sake has a mys focal point as a

WOMEN’SECRET has got a deliciously cosy line of pyjama wear for you to snuggle up in on the days where you just want to stay at home. Feel pretty with the comfort of their robes and nightdresses that will help you get your rest.

watch out !

great pieces to show off Denim is a timeless phenomenon which is having yet another resurgence with DIESEL’S new vibrant and cool pieces for the season.

The collection showcases its contemporary and stylish fabric. It’s a he and she affair this time!

LADY EMBLEM Montblanc introduces its new delicate and yet modern, feminine fragrance for women.

INGLOT launches FREEDOM SYSTEM FRAGRANCE which enters the world of exquisite fragrances with its new exciting line of floral and fruity cream perfumes.

With light, fresh notes that can be used separately or mixed in order to create a delicious composition, it’s designed for women on the go. That said, the product is also packaged in an ecofriendly way and is reusable to fit purse and pockets.

SWAROVSKI, known for its unique crystal expertise, has now launched a women’s watch collection, exclusive for the Middle East. The timeless pieces are perfectly combined touches of light and hints of glamour with versatile appeal. The pieces are perfect for day and night, making a true fashion accessory statement.

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oHLALA’s Spotlight We bring you all the neWs around the island from hospitality to business to leisure. Many notable industry members were recognised for their stellar contribution to the Kingdom in their respective fields.

tuRkish AiRLines RAted best in euRoPe

ARG honouRed by MinistRy of LAbouR

Al Rashid Group was honoured by the Ministry of Labour for its effort in sponsoring academic education of Bahraini nationals. In a ceremony held under the patronage of His Excellency Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan; Minister of Labour, at the Intercontinental Regency, Al Rashid Group has been felicitated for its outstanding efforts in sponsoring academic education of Bahraini Nationals. “We constantly focus on supporting our Bahraini employees to further achieve their academic education as part as their long-term career progression as well as their personal development” says Sachin Dutta, Head of Human Resources.

RoyAL GoLf CLub bAhRAin AnnounCes the think Pink bAhRAin GoLf dAy

The management of the Royal Golf Club Bahrain announced that the tenth annual Think Pink Bahrain Charity Golf Day will take place at the Club on October 8, 2015. Experienced lady golfers are invited to compete in an 18-hole Texas Scramble competition on the Montgomerie championship course, teeing off with an 8am shotgun start. Ladies with higher handicaps have the option to play a 9-hole scramble at 10,30am on the club’s Mini Monty par 3 course. The two ladies tournaments will be rounded off with a lunch and prize-giving ceremony in the Club’s stunning Majlis function room.

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Turkish Airlines has scooped top awards at the 2015 Skytrax World Airline Awards. The airline received recognition for Best Airline in Europe, Best Airline in Southern Europe, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge, and World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining, highlighting the company’s dedication to quality service in the air and on the ground. The awards mark a continued period of success for the airline, which has seen a significant rise in passenger numbers compared to the same period last year.

inteRContinentAL ReGenCy bAhRAin Wins huMAn ResouRCes AWARd

InterContinental Regency Bahrain won The Specific Council for Training and Development Bahrainization Award for its Human Resources Department’s distinguished record in terms of training and developing the skills of Bahraini nationals.

The Awards Ceremony was held recently at Crowne Plaza Bahrain, under the Patronage of the Minister of Labour, Jameel Humaidan. The Specific Council for Training and Development Awards Ceremony is an annual event, held to honour the Outstanding Hospitality Establishments in Bahrain for training, diligent and long service employees.

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Ali Baba Cafe grand opening WITH AN INTERNATIONALLY INSPIRED MENU THAT CRISS-CROSSES THE GLOBE, A WORLD OF FOOD AWAITS GUESTS AT THE NEWLY OPENED ALI BABA CAFÉ. LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUSTLING DINING COMPLEX OF LAGOON PARK IN AMWAJ ISLANDS, ALI BABA CAFÉ HAD AN OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY IN THE PRESENCE OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. ALI BABA CAFÉ IS THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR FAMILY DINING OR A MEAL OUT WITH FRIENDS, SET IN AN IN AN ELEGANT BUT RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.

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LEgo City Launch at City Centre Bahrain CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN ANNOUNCED A FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT-PACKED SUMMER PROGRAMME OF INTERACTIVE AMUSEMENTS, FEATURING A FANTASTIC LEGO CITY BUILDING EVENT. THE CENTRAL GALLERIA IS TRANSFORMED TO OFFER A LARGER THAN LIFE LEGO CITY EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING A BUILDING ACTIVITY AREA TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO UNLEASH THEIR CREATIVITY, ALONG WITH ENGAGING ACTIVITIES AT THE LEGO CITY FIRE STATION, POLICE STATION, PARK, AND THE CHARITY STATION.

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sarah’s Ladies Breakfast SARAH AT SEEF MALL MUHARRAQ LAUNCHED A NEW WEEKLY EVENT– SARAH’S LADIES BREAKFAST, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE EVERY TUESDAY. CUSTOMERS CAN AVAIL 25% DISCOUNT ON ALL THE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT THE STORE. LADIES CAN INDULGE IN A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST SPREAD, AND TAKE SOME EXCLUSIVE MAKE-UP LESSONS FROM MAKE-UP EXPERTS. VISIT THE SARAH STORE ON TUESDAY TO DISCOVER AND EXPERIENCE THIS EXCLUSIVE LADIES EVENT.

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villanelle grand opening HOUSE ME INVITED THE ESTEEMED GUESTS TO THE GRAND OPENING OF VILLANELLE LUXURIOUS APARTMEMTS, LOCATED IN THE SEEF AREA. VILLANELLE IS A 14 STOREY BUILDING THAT CONTAINS 40 LUXURIOUS RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS, WITH FOUR APARTMENTS ON EACH FLOOR. THE BUILDING CONTAINS A PARKING SPACE WITH A CAPACITY OF 43 VEHICLES. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Bahrain summer Festival Launch BAHRAIN SUMMER FESTIVAL HAD A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY AT THE SITRA MALL. SHAIKHA MAI BINT MOHAMMED AL KHALIFA LAUNCHED THE BAHRAIN SUMMER FESTIVAL FROM NAKHOOL GARDEN! THE LINE-UP FOR THE EVENING INCLUDED TRADITIONAL BAHRAINI MUSIC, INDIAN MUSIC AND DANCE. KIDS WERE SEEN INTERACTING WITH THEIR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE MASCOTS; NAKHOOL AND NAKHOOLA AT THE EVENT. THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL AT THE NAKHOOL GARDEN WAS FOLLOWED BY UMM KULTHOOM: THE CHARM OF THE EAST, A CONCERT HELD AT THE CULTURAL HALL.

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new sparkling Brunch at Le meridien Bahrain City Centre LE MERIDIEN BAHRAIN CITY CENTRE LAUNCHED ITS NEW VERSION OF SPARKLING BRUNCH AT BAHARAT RESTAURANT. GUESTS WERE SEEN ENJOYING THE GOURMET OFFERINGS, WHICH SAW NEWLY ADDED DELIGHTS INCLUDING; CHAAT STATION, PASTA STATIONS, BREAKFAST CORNER AND LOTS MORE. DISHES WERE SERVED FRESH AND PIPING HOT. THE VINO SELECTION ADDED TO THE LOVELY BRUNCH CONCEPT. www.ohlala-magazine.com 101

new menu Launch at soie restaurant SOIE CHINESE RESTAURANT AT THE SHERATON HOTEL BAHRAIN LAUNCHED ITS NEW MENU AT THE RESTAURANT, IN THE PRESENCE OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. GUESTS INDULGED IN THE MOUTH-WATERING DISHES AND GOT SOME PICTURES CLICKED WITH FUN PROPS. THE MENU OFFERS AN ARRAY OF DISHES: STIR FRIED CHILI BEEF, CRISPY DUCK PANCAKE AND MANGO CRISPY CHICKEN. 102 www.ohlala-magazine.com

mixology Week at sofitel Bahrain SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA HOSTED THE FLAIRBARTENDING CHAMPION RAVI CAMARDO FOR SOFITEL BAHRAIN’S - MIXOLOGY WEEK 2015 AT TAPAS RESTAURANT. RAVI WAS SEEN ‘STRUTTING HIS STUFF THROUGHOUT THE EVENT WITH THE HOTELS TEAM. HE PREPARED DRINKS FOR GUESTS IN THE MOST PYROTECHNICALLY IMPRESSIVE AND IMAGINATIVELY ACROBATIC WAYS POSSIBLE!

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AVAILABLE IN ...

Abu DhAbi, bAhrAin & QAtAr

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Have a Haunted Halloween

Roll Camera for Film Festival Fever

An Artistic Celebration of Arabic Culture

OCTOBER 2014. VOL 1 ISSUE 5. AED 10 front_filmfestival.indd 1

9/29/14 4:25 PM

SEPTEMBER 2014. VOL 4 ISSUE 5. QR10 | SR10 front.indd 1

8/31/14 11:13 AM

NOVEMBER 2014. VOL 8 ISSUE 03 . BD 1 | SR10

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Ohlala #obsessions We’re nailing it this month with these fabulous accounts.

Say hello to pretty hands and feet.

aliciatnails Her bold and colour blocking patterns are the stuff of dreams. Alicia colour matches like no other.

jessicawashick this is nail art redefined! Jessica is intimidatingly brilliant at adding beadwork to her polished tips.

karengnails From glossy monochrome tips to hashtagging stencils, karen is always on point with the latest trends.

nailsnfash A colourful combination of fashion and nails, this account will get you hooked for hours. if you love mermaid hues, this is for you.

nailsbymh this maybelline new york nail expert has photos of eclectic nails good enough to eat.

Fancy a set of pizza nails?

jinsoonchoi if you like textured nails, Jin is your woman. she’s worked with big names in Hollywood including taylor swift - now that’s a reason to follow.

mpnails Alongside winning nail art, madeline (the ambassador of sally Hansen!) takes pictures of her nails with stunning jewellery.

sophynails For your dose of everyday nail inspiration, sophy has a tonne of ideas from the simple to the extreme - check out her Japanese creations.

theillustratednail Let’s just say Andy Warhol would commission these nails as the patterns are fabulously vibrant. Her photo compositions are creative too.

Make sure to follow Ohlala’s! Instagram @ohlalamagazine; Twitter @OhlalaMagazine; Facebook @Ohlala Bahrain Magazine www.ohlala-magazine.com 105

tHE CoLumn

Self talk Internal dialogue can be selfdestructive if we let it, so why not change the tone of your inner voice? Our columnist gives us some key tips.

Have you ever caught yourself

saying: “Oh you idiot, there you go again” or “ I know you can’t do this”, “ See, you are no good”.

Take a step back and hear what tone of voice you are using; is it critical or disapproving?

How high is the volume? Is it your voice, or the voice of your father, former teacher, or some person in authority?

This sort of negative dialogue can follow

we say the same sentence over and over again, wreaking havoc on our general well being and our sense of balance.

Take a simple sentence like, “ I need to get to the shops”. Hear it in your everyday voice; now say exactly the same sentence internally, really fast.

Then say it very slowly in a sleepy voice, This is a great way to change the emotional impact of what you say to yourself.

Try changing your everyday voice into a cartoon character’s voice like Donald Duck, especially when you are berating yourself !

The words become humorous and somewhat ridiculous!

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There are other ways you can add to your experience in order to change your response to an internal voice – add some music! You could add some circus music, or add something uplifting, or you can ask yourself: “what kind of music would change the way I feel in a useful way?” music.

So far these alterations are nonverbal, without changing words, so we are now going to add some words to change your experience.

We all know how a tune or song can get endlessly stuck in our head, especially when you are trying to get to sleep.

So choose a song that has a I love Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy”. Hear the song you have chosen to play in your volume and the speed so that it increases the impact it has on you. More in next month’s issue!

Melanie

Counsellor, NLP Trainer, Reiki Practitioner/ Teacher. Contact her on 39330911 or email melanie323@gmail.com

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NICOLE KIDMAN’S CHOICE

OMEGA Boutiques: Moda Mall (Sheraton Complex) Tel: 17537753 Bahrain City Centre Tel: 17100135