Ohlala Bahrain December 2016

THE ESSENCE OF STYLE Bahrain

RED HOT Beauty Insights Roland Mouret

A Portrait Of Parisian Greatness

Ode To Longchamp

Sophie Delafontaine On Elegance

Plus A Chic Gift

Guide For The Festive Season

FABULOUS FASHION

Style Notes For Instant Glamour www.ohlala-magazine.com

December 2016 Issue 143 Bahrain BD2 KSA SR10

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CAROLINAHERRERA.COM

DUKE BAG

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Contents Ohlala

s ng er reeti Lett e G ditor’s Icon v ti E e Fes Revel: y: Styl eason S d s ’ Let rd Can : Party s Ha Focu le Sty

Michael Kors

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lIFE O Thin F THE gs T PAR h Bea Roland at Glit TY t uty Mea Moure er t ns E xpr essio n

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UT BO eneva a a s: G t& Ou scape ulf Sp e E G i l : es ve -S t Tra lth Fil ot-On Hea iety: Sh Soc

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RED VALENTINO Saks Fifth Avenue CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN +973 17172000

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December 2016

issue 143

Publisher & Chairman John Hughes Chief Executive Officer Greg Hughes

Editor-in-Chief Georgie Bradley

Publishing Director Edward Smith

Contributors

Creative DIrector

BUsiness development

Angela Beitz

Paula Leal

director

Sofia Graniello

Graphic Designers

Rami Khalil

Victoria

sales Director

Gareth Woods

Jyoti Rawat Rashed Bindaina

Production Manager

Photographers

WEBSITE

Neil Mahmood

Shobin Joseph

Melek Yildirimtekin

Distribution Manager

Rashed Bindaina

Country Director Kirsty Edwards-Harris

Mayukh Majumdar

Ajit Kumar

COVER Image Rami Kadi

Credits image Alexander McQueen

Accountants Gigimon Thankachen Praveen Alexander

Distribution Team

Printing Press

Distribution

Jayapragash Ganesan

Akhbar Al Khaleej

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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MONTH OF BEAUTY AT WOJOOH

31 Days of beauty offers

www.ohlala-magazine.com 13 @WOJOOHBEAUTY WWW.WOJOOH.COM

Ed it ’s Letter or

Christian louboutin

L

et the revelry begin. Our December issue is nothing short of fun, thoughtful and beautiful.

It’s all about saying goodbye to 2016 with a true bang of glitter, shimmer and extravagance on all accounts: outfits, beauty, parties and luxury hotel stays. This time of year always seems to involve a frantic dash from the office to evening celebrations, so we have a wide range of versatile outfits for instant glamour. The wonderful part of it, is that you can be as out-there as you want via some heavy-duty metallics or winter florals or even a severely sharp suit for the androgynous among you. And of course, having some style inspiration from revered designers Arwa Al Banawi and Reem Acra goes a long way with their must-have pieces, favourite looks for the season and the best places to visit to ring in the new year. Not forgetting all our friends and family who’ve been good this year, we have a gift guide filled with stunning wardrobe and lifestyle pieces that are sure to put the biggest smile on someone’s face.

Our designer focus section includes two of the most established names in Parisian fashion history: Roland Mouret and Sophie Delafontaine of Longchamp, the purveyors of trailblazing style who lend some brilliant talking points on what it means to be a modern woman who strives to be her own self – decked out in the most telling fashion of our time. And in an exclusive sit-down at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, we speak with Indian born, Paris dwelling Manish Arora who never fails to put a happy and colourful spin on whatever he creates.

As for the rest of the issue, you’ll find that we’ve been the ultimate gadabouts taking great pleasure in sampling spectacular spreads of food in our monthly chic eats as well as exploring the best of what’s on offer during the festive period – there’s no five-star property that’s not putting on a production of luxury fare for one and all. So take the time to enjoy the best of what Bahrain has in store and join us in living to the max. See you in 2017!

Georgie Bradley 14

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Editor in Chief

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This Papillion Collection makes us giddy with excitement

offer a chromatic explosion of joy - perfect for the party season.

fine jewellery pieces

Suzanne Kalan’s

C a n d y

H a r D

Style Icon

THE JOY OF GIVING EXPLORE A UNIVERSE OF GIFTS

Sterling silver charms from BHD 19

pandora.net

Explore the new Christmas collection and find the perfect gift at pandora.net.

Bahrain City Centre, Tel: +973 17 405 400 Muharraq Seef Mall, Tel: +973 17 420 707

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wish List

the Gift Guide

Mulberry

The chicest offerings for everyone (and yourself) on your holiday list

Ring It Up

Boxed Up

Light up the night in this showstopping and elegant number.

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marni

nathalie trad

White Light

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Pucker up and give your pout some self-assured boldness.

Shine On

Geometric structure is what we want in an evening clutch.

Part feline, part futuristic, these sunglasses are everything.

Kiss & Tell

Roland Mouret

Carolina Herrera

Christian louboutin

Oh yes dear, this really is quite the stunner in vintage silver.

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roberto cavalli

Carolina Herrera

wish List

Make It Roar

Give it some animal attack in a subtle yet sharp and fun way.

Well-Heeled

sophia webster

Keep Trim

Golden Touch

Prada

Delicate glass necklaces are the new jewellery statements.

Ramp up your urban chic status with this indulgent fur scarf.

Izaak Azanei

natasha zinko; Stylebop

A classic tote that will see you through from day to night.

Salvatore ferragamo

Red Lady

Be sure to finish every ensemble with your best foot forward.

I dON’T HAVE A SISTER

Green Envy

Show a slither of skin in these cropped wide leg trousers.

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Fringe Flair

For glamorous women who give off some playful mystery.

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Image by alistair james

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u o y Are o t y d a e r ? y t par

the , s e s s dre the g Introducin the shoes and the accessories, or the festive season. f n o i t a c i t s i n o s g soph a r d a l g r u o Ladies, get y

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The stars know how to create a lasting and blinding impression on the red carpet

charlotte olympia

sophia webster

anine bing

Celebrity Inspiration yo give ur it al l

gucci

ar

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att ac

de la

Giuseppe zanotti

ta

ren

aurelie bidermann

Da dis ys o co f

e p -flo ar or d ty iv nu a mb eve er r w s it se

Charlotte olympia

sc Bed en az e- zl ste in al g er

poca & poca

Preen by Thomton Bregazzi

G li tt e ht r he s

Claudie pierlot

The look

osc

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eh t ott h es a ul t da t tim nc e rtor

sa

tom ford

Libertine sonia rykiel

Miley Cyrus

kate hudson

Al Be l th

Elisabetta Franchi

Noor

Fare s

Diane von furstenberg

Elisabetta Franchi

akr i

Ilea na m

Claudie pierlot

Focus

natasha bedingfield

selina gomez

Style

The extras

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glam ur www.ohlala-magazine.com

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The extras

Kenneth jay lane

rosamund pike

francesco russo

Delfina delettrez

laverne cox

gwyneth paltrow

of ea at ree n i ten ze cy tio eve col n o ry d p n y one al ou ’s ette

emma watson

BCBGMAXAZRIA

q u ee n

F a j loor ump it su in it

sn Em o br w t ac

paule ka

poca & poca

kenzo

endemage

Endemage

Ralph & Russo

yet S ab impl un e da nt

CĂŠline

Focus

inge christopher

ted ica ist cker Soph cho

chanel

@ diez .com kia sas a-porter net

nder

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sa

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jil

Moder for n womemoderhee l n n s

Style

The look

Celebrity Inspiration

From playful cuts to floor-skimming trains, white works wonders for all

UAE | QATAR | KU WAIT | BAHRAIN | KSA

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These golden girls in their gilded gowns show off oodles of radiant mettle

Celebrity Inspiration

marchesa notte @ net-a-porter.com

margot robbie

g o ld

The extras

ru sh

Ralph Lauren

alexander mcqueen

wi P sk th b air inn la ies ck

diane von furstenberg

Ch fu un nk ky y hoopan d s

The look oscar de la renta

for Flow dime y c ns ape ion

in po e an we d r p shi iec mm es er fo w r a it ll- h th ou es tg eb la ri mo lli ur ant Sandro

Sh

versace

Annelise Michelson

chanel

elisabetta franchi

georges chakra

Focus

emma watson

Meryl streep

Kylie Jenner

ela

anya hindmarch

rgi

aurelie bidermann

a nm

Peep per fe toe ct

iso

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ma

rosantica

Style

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Celebrity Inspiration

Enter the Twilight Zone like these strikingly dazzling beauties and sparkle

pu Gl nc os tu sy at ion s

KENZO

annelise michelson

jimm

hoo

yc

NE

rihanna

T- DANNI APOR J TERO @ .COM

HA S RM OM E

li ni ng s

rodarte

a mic nne he lise lso n

or wa e a rd co s sp ol a me ceta ag lp e al chi GIV ett c E e C OFF

Si l Gr v an avi e d e tat xp e t r l o

delpozo

tr An u us pd ty ated pa rk a

tory burch

chanel

Equipment

michael kors

phillip lim

mary katrantzou

As sed link u y sl ctiv and ip e

Focus

sarah hyland

reese witherspoon

jessie J

maison marigela

Style

The look

The extras

Kamushki

088_220x250__HauteParf5packs.indd 1

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alexa chung

alex

BeyoncĂŠ

der

exan

ie al

jaim

uee

mcq

Zoey Deutch

w o o d s k

an ma d e of dg w y fl int or er i michael kors al s h sw e ith igh lea tene fy d b bl y iss da r

th e

Dolce & Gabbana

ander

self portrait @ stylebop

bot Baro an qu ica e ls

in Th t ed o ra

prada

La d lo y-bi ve rd

lu a l ck b ad e y

marc jacobs

rodarte

aurelie bidermann

izaak azanei

Focus

PRADA

c greee fore n st

Fier

Chloe

madiyah al sharqi

Style

The extras

n

Off to the ball in fairy-tale frocks with off-the-shoulder femininity and billowy volume

Celebrity Inspiration

The look

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Understated, androgynous and minimalist dressing is a statement-maker

str Ch ap i ic t

Celebrity Inspiration

Carolina herrera

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calvin klein

sophie bille brahe

anna kendrick

cate blanchett

De l Du ca

Co ntempor tw ist a s ry

kenneth jay lane

mulberry

bu si ne ss

georges chakra

tibi

ar oo pe k St a leg wit goddetue sq h an r ss ue o ce m an tic kenneth jay lane str uc tu re

m tp e ro a vo an cat n d s eur s h l

en

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Sh Ge tt e he

nicole kidman

kenzo

Lanvin

Su its

isabel marant

ralph lauren

alexander mcqueen

at pop

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RACIL

Focus

kate winslet

victoria beckham

saint laurent

Style

The extras

The look

charlotte aluna.com

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Style

Insight Ultimate Festive Destination It has to be either Paris or New York.

My Collection

The black velvet double breasted blazer with gold shimmer.

Sonia Rykiel

Beauty Must-Have

Deitas @ stylebop

Huda Beauty lip liner and an Estée Lauder highlighter.

sofia coppola

Estée lauder

Arwa al Banawi

Pierre hardy @ stylebop

Go-To Party Outfit

A slip dress with a funky blazer and some statement heels.

The suitable woman designer is all sparkles, colour and being organic

Favourite Trend For The Festive Season

Shimmery blazers.

Monochrome Or Rainbow

etro

Favourite Shoe Brand Prada and Nike.

Rainbow for summer, monochrome for winter.

Iris Van herpen

Statement Or Minimal Accessories

Alex mcq ander ueen

Style Icon

The ultimate classic: Audrey Hepburn.

I go for both.

Del duca

Prada 36

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Skin Saviour

Olive oil and honey.

I’m all for organic.

Join us for an authentically Catalan Christmas & celebrate the festive culinary creations of Spain Whether you’re looking to indulge in our signature gastronomy, relive your fondest memories with a traditional spread or excite your senses with our curated selection of tapas, our festive menus have it all.

Our holiday spirit doesn’t end there. For a true Bon Nadal, join us in welcoming the season with a tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas sweets master class & a joyous Christmas day brunch.

19 Yousif Ahmed Al-Shirawi Avenue, Block 338, Adliya, Bahrain Tel: +973 1700 7808, Fax: +973 1700 7909 ccerro@vinotecabcn.com | www.vinotecabcn.com lavinotecabarcelona vinotecabh www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Style

Insight

Ultimate Festive Destination

My Collection

The peaceful beauty of Bali.

Reem Acra hervé léger

The embellishment loving designer likes it big, bold and gold

My favourite piece is from the couture Autumn 2017 Bridal collection.

Skin Saviour

Nothing beats taking off your makeup after a long day and night out.

Style Icon

Elizabeth Taylor’s style was impeccable and her jewellery was absolutely stunning.

Paule Ka

Sandro

poca & poca

Glitter Or Metallics

salvatore ferragamo

Alexis bittar @ stylebop

Statement Or Minimal Accessories

I punctuate an outfit with a bold shoe, bag or necklace.

Metallic – gold, specifically!

Go-To Party Outfit

stuart weitzman

Favourite Shoe Brand

Strong separates: a feminine skirt, a sleek top, and smart heels.

An even split between Miu Miu sneakers and Manolo Blahnik pumps.

self-portrait @ Stylebop Marc Jacobs

Beauty Must-Have

I’m loving Dior’s Rouge Daisy Plum.

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Favourite Trend For The Festive Season Embellished and embroidered tops - an easy way to look festive.

Downtown

A sparkling festive season at Downtown Rotana!

Christmas Tree Lighting - Thursday 8th December at 5.30 pm

Join us and start the Festive season with our Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and Santa.

Gingerbread House Decorations at City Lobby Lounge - 8th - 31st December

Kids can enjoy the tastiest snacks while decorating Gingerbread Houses for BD 10*

Christmas Eve Dinner at Flavours on 2 starting from BD 24* Christmas Day Brunch at Flavours on 2 starting from BD 25* New Year’s Eve Dinner at Teatro Downtown starting from BD 35* New Year’s Day Brunch at Flavours on 2 starting from BD 18* For reservations and more information, please contact us on +973 3360 50 70 or visit rotanatimes.com/downtownrotana *Price is subject to 10% service charge and 10% government levy.

PO Box 18345, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, T:+973 1311 9999, downtown.hotel@rotana.com

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Enchante,

Mr. Mouret Known as The Master of Drapery, Angela Beitz catches up with French designer Roland Mouret

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“Mouret has an innate understanding of women and the female form�

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Designer

Focus

I

’m in the Boulevard Suite at Vida Hotel, Dubai and am greeted by Roland Mouret with a kiss on each cheek. He’s the George Clooney of the fashion world: tall, dark and incredibly handsome. This is not the first time I’ve met Mouret, yet his charm wins me over again and I’m left feeling like a giddy schoolgirl.

For over a decade, Mouret has created some of the most coveted womenswear collections. The designer has defined the era of the iconic dresses, which have become known as a single name – Galaxy, Titanium, Moon. These dresses have earned Mouret the reputation of a magician, master of structure and silhouette and as a man with an intuitive understanding of the female form.

Mouret is in Dubai to promote his Resort 17 collection, which is bold, yet colourful and looks towards the beauty behind botanical gardens for inspiration. The eponymous collection is injected with geometric silhouettes and a kaleidoscopic colour scheme of fuschia pink, aqua blue and pastel

accents set against monochromatic tones of black, crisp whites, grey and shiny metallics.

“The whole inspiration for the Resort collection was the Chelsea Flower Show in London,’ he tells me matter-of-factly. “Flowers, flowers, flowers, I’m a big fan of that show and I loved the contrast of the contradiction between strong bold coloured florals and soft, pastel blooms. I was really attracted to that.” For this collection, Mouret introduces the new cape for the season; free-spirited, sleeves slip off the shoulder and generous straps sit on the collarbone - it takes you from the freedom of the day to the mystery of the night, a most versatile piece that should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

“These dresses have earned Mouret the reputation of a magician, master of structure and silhouette”

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“The eponymous collection is injected with geometric silhouettes and a kaleidoscopic colour scheme” When describing who the Roland Mouret woman of today is, the designer explains she’s the same woman from over 10 years ago. “She’s a woman who enjoys to be a woman and who loves to try on clothes. She has her struggles on a day-to-day basis but she deals with it and gets on with things. She is every woman, I have no specific woman in mind, only her qualities, her independence and her style brings them all together. She has evolved beautifully, she knows who she is,” he explains.

Mouret has an innate understanding of women and the female form. He instinctively drapes fabric on the body rather than drawing sketches. He likes to be close to the shape of the body, interacting with fabric and form with his hands. He has a very intimate and technical purity when putting a collection together. The essence of his success, he insists, is the physicality of knowing how a person 44

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wants to undress. “Dresses are for undressing. We all dress up to undress.”

Behind every successful designer, is a host of predecessors who once lent their magic and sartorial secrets to budding designers at a time when their names were yet to be up in lights. When talking about designers who he looks up to, Mouret speaks of two in particular. “I’ve had some true masters teach me such as Yohji Yamamoto and Azzedine Alaia. I admire Alaia’s integrity, his attitude and even his temper. He knows how to dress women and they love it. He is my absolute idol (along with Yohji Yamamoto) and he even inspired me when it came to my first store. I’m also a huge fan of Chanel. I also really like Christopher Kane and what he’s doing for fashion, I’ve watched his career from the beginning,” he says.

Mouret has been to Dubai several times and describes it as an interesting emerging market. “I think you can see from the young designers here that they are really trying to establish themselves with an identity and are trying to find ways to export their product, which was a similar struggle I had in the 90s,” he recalls.

But from that struggle unfolded a glittering raft of celebrity names attached to his own, after years of hard work and dedication. From Cameron Diaz to Michelle Obama and The Duchess of Cambridge, they are all huge fans of his designs and have been regularly seen dressed to the nines in his pieces. “I don’t have anyone in particular in mind who I’d like to see wearing my dresses. I’m not trying to run after the ones I don’t have, especially when I am so lucky that I get to dress so many celebrities. I don’t worry about the ones I don’t have, I don’t care, one day she will come. I just feel so lucky and I must be doing something right.”

Designer

Focus

“Dresses are for undressing.

We all dress up to undress�

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Family Values Longchamp’s story is one of rich history. Not only does it date back to 1948, it’s evolved through the hands of family members.

Sophie Delafontaine, the artistic director of Longchamp, tells Georgie Bradley how she adds her own flair to the brand and why it’s funkier than ever

U

nder a thickly striped umbrella, staged in the middle of an outdoor café table, imagine a smart and sophisticated Longchamp bag (perhaps punctuated with print) sitting glamorously among a chic trio of croissants, coffee and pastries. The bag’s owner is donned in a supple calfskin jacket, straight black trousers and feline sunglasses that rest angularly on her razor-sharp cheekbones. She is what you’d conjure up in your mind as a campaign for the brand – her and the hyper-dynamic Alexa Chung, as she’s come to be THE Longchamp woman over the years. The brand, despite being innately Parisian and thereby seen as a classic, is edging towards a more funky identity of late. You’ll always find a clean tote in a warm, natural hue but you should expect the unexpected, too.

But there’s no one more knowledgeable of the brand’s evolution from its tobacco store days when it was first founded in 1948 by Sophie Delafontaine’s grandfather, Jean Cassegrain.

Sophie, the current artistic director of Longchamp, stepped into the multi-generational brand alongside her father, Philippe Cassegrain in 1995, having lived and breathed it her entire life.

Now, at the helm of the brand, she has upped its style stakes and continues to revolutionise the Longchamp pieces to suit any wearer – the bolder, the better.

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How do you continue to meld your grandfather’s vision for Longchamp with your own artistic touch?

This is my daily challenge! I want to maintain the ‘savoir-faire’ and high quality of our products that have always been our strength. At the same time I want to create collections for women of our modern times. When I joined the company, I did not want to do a revolution. I think that I brought a more feminine touch and more colours into the collections and the alchemy works quite well!

What do you think allows Longchamp to continuously be a classic brand?

I don’t really consider Longchamp as a classic brand. I learn from existing ‘savoir-faire’ and go on innovating and show more and more fashion oriented collections. Longchamp is in a creative process, trying new technics, new materials etc.

The challenge is to design new exciting lines each season, new exclusive prints, new colours and modernise or reinvent timeless classic lines.

Designer

Focus

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Designer

Focus

What kind of woman carries a Longchamp bag?

The Longchamp woman likes fashion but is not a victim of fashion. She is an elegant woman with a French flair. She is confident and ready to take up daily challenges from work to family. She is a dynamic cosmopolitan city dweller.

More recently the bags have a more youthful appeal with fun prints. How adventurous and dynamic do you aim to be with the designs?

Colours and prints are in the Longchamp DNA. In the 70s my father, Philippe Cassegrain, already worked with artist Serge Mendjiski on luggage that became a complete piece of art realised with patches of different leathers and colours. We still love to play with all the technics available, inkjet print, embroideries, patches of material and each season an exclusive print sets the tone of the season.

What piece is your absolute favourite?

For this A/W 16 season, my favourite is of course the new Paris Premier bag. I love its graphic and pure lines as much as the beautiful soft touch leather.

What does it mean for Longchamp to have Alexa Chung as the face of the campaigns over the last few seasons? What does she represent for the brand?

Her spontaneous and energetic personality made her a natural choice. She is a woman with a natural elegance and style, for whom fashion is a reality. She perfectly embodies the Longchamp woman. She is an international woman. She has the style and elegance of a Parisian with a little Rock n Roll touch of an English woman and the character of a New Yorker.

Why do you feel a Longchamp bag is the definitive professional woman’s bag, as it’s come to be?

Some of the Longchamp handbags can be aimed at professional businesswomen. I really pay attention to the proportions and other details that make the bag the companion of the day. For example, I try to create tote bags that are not too heavy even if they are made with leather.

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THE EXTRAS Time I Wake Up

6:00am.

Fail-Safe Outfit

A leather jacket and a silk blouse.

Both Longchamp

Beauty Must-Have

A good moisturising cream and a weekly manicure.

Life Motto Shiseido

Never give up and don’t be afraid to try.

Role Model

My father. Always creative, curious and generous.

Handbag Essentials

iPhone, keys, pencils and a Longchamp wallet.

Proudest Moment

I’m very proud when I’m walking on the streets and see a woman wearing a Longchamp bag.

Favourite Quote

“Never fear being vulgar, just boring” - Diana Vreeland.

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Designer

Focus

make it

Manish Arora is one of the most unique and auspicious designers of our time. Georgie Bradley sits with the Indian designer to talk Paris, colour and the joys of life It’s difficult to articulate exactly what makes a great designer

but when you first meet Manish Arora, you feel like he’s got ‘it’. That ‘it’ comes in the form of good vibes, a humble demeanor and friend-toall conversation. During an intimate lunch at The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay ahead of his evening Resort 2017 show at SAKS Fifth Avenue, City Centre Bahrain, he walks in with an entourage but you wouldn’t be able to single him out at first. But his all-black ensemble is decidedly statement-making and the melodies of the chinking charm bracelets adorning his wrists give you that ‘aha’ moment.

His voice turns heads. From a “little thing like me” you don’t expect

a deep-throated, gravel. If it wasn’t for his fantastic social warmth and the ability to make everyone feel he’s interested in them, (“Hello there, so great to see you, love what you’re wearing. Welcome, welcome, welcome!”) you would easily quake in your shoes. He is a smoker, explanation number one. Genetics (his father) lends to explanation number two. Beyond that, he is simply blessed with a baritone voicebox that is more alluring than intimidating.

Manish calls Paris and Delhi his home. You don’t get more polar opposite than that. “Paris is the most beautiful city in the world,” he says. It was the Bombay born designer’s “dominant work” in Delhi www.ohlala-magazine.com

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“The social temperature of the room soars with chat about his love for Paris” during his training and Delhi Fashion Week that got him shooting high in the fashion world and ultimately leading him to London Fashion Week in 2005 after his “different” style was picked up by the attending British Fashion Council. The fashion crowds in London (coming from the world over) gathered in their haute droves and excitable chatter continued until that finally culminated in a move to the fashion capital: Paris.

In 2011 Manish was appointed as the creative director of Paco Rabanne, a French fashion house, and he designed two successful collections for them. His collections are sold globally through wellknown stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Joyce, Maria Luisa, Saks 5th Avenue, Selfridges and now available even in the Brand’s first flagship store on Rue Rouget de L’isle, Paris.

The social temperature of the room soars with chat about his love for Paris. We all listen in with child-like amazement. He loves everything about it, claiming there is no ugly part of it. Although he’s always travelling between Europe and Asia, Manish’s world is all Paris.

As far as career development, Paris has taught Manish “when to stop”. “If I was just an Indian designer, based in India, I would be really over-the-top. But in Paris, every millimeter counts and you’re constantly learning. The moment you think you know everything, it’s over. Fashion is a job. It’s like being a doctor or lawyer. Fashion is about being disciplined and on-time,” says Manish.

Being based there in Paris has given him good grounding. “When I began to move more internationally with my work, I wanted to take my country with me – I didn’t want to lose my sense of self and create strictly Western aesthetics. But Paris has also taught me to refine my work,” he notes.

Going back to the true meaning of resort, Manish brings a wardrobe that embodies a time to cut loose from winter’s real life and relax in his Resort 17 collection. Drawing from

“Life is so beautiful, as a brand we believe in this and hope our customers feel it too”

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“Manish brings a wardrobe that embodies a time to cut loose from winter’s real life”

the lushness of a paradisiac seaside for his inspiration, Manish envisions his season as a perfect holiday moment where everything is right in the world.

Just as moods are on the upswing as a holiday nears, this upbeat collection encapsulates the fairy tales we tell ourselves before going away, with visions of endless beaches and perfect snapshots. You’ll also find, developed exclusively for SAKS 5th Avenue Bahrain, abayas and kaftans, to cater to the local customer too.

Coming from a wildly different land, Manish has managed to marry up the colourful aesthetics you’d expect from the Indian culture with the sophistication of Parisian wear – without compromising on his heritage. His latest Resort 17 collection sprinkles with joy and colour – the world in which Manish loves to live in – “life is so beautiful, as a brand we believe in this and hope our customers feel it too.”

Designer

Focus

“Manish envisions his season as a perfect holiday moment where everything is right in the world�

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Twilight

Zone Embellishments, colour and sequins - but not as you know it. Rami Kadi’s autumnwinter 2016 capsule collection gives you all the right reasons to twirl, whirl and dance the night away and be a radiant beauty

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Date: 17th December Time: 9pm to 2am Venue: CafĂŠ Amsterdam Tickets: BD10 in advance, BD15 at door For VIP table reservations please call +973 3670 9007 Dress up in a Game of Thrones inspired costume and enjoy one free beverage on the house!

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givenchy aw16

Be Merry, Be Beautiful

The festive season is here. And so are our tips and tricks for brilliantly executed beauty. From how to get the party look from Shiseido to perfecting a bold red lip, we dish out a spectrum of advice www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Refining Makeup Primer

Luminizing Satin Eye Colour Trio

‘Tis the Season to Wear Red

Get the look with Shiseido’s Lead Makeup Artist, Noriko Okubo, who shares her favourite beauty products to look your best for those glittery events

It’s Prime Time

For a smoother finish, apply a primer before foundation and glow.

Three Amigos

“It is recommended to counter-balance dramatic lips with more subtle, soft eye make-up, opting for lighter colours in a metallic or shimmering texture,” says Norkio

Quick Fix

Ubuki Quick Fix Mist

Keep your skin hydrated.

Mist away after your makeup is done.

Synchro Skin

Sheer Damage

“Foundation is very sheer this season, offering clean and light complexion. Slightly glowy but not too shiny,” says Norkio.

Eyebrow Styling Compact

Keep It Real

Shimmery Cream Eye Colour

Luminizing Satin Face Colour

Keep your brows on fleek but don’t go overboard. Apply and fill in their natural shape.

Full Lash Volume Mascara

Shiseido’s newly launched range, Rouge Rouge is the go-to collection of creamy and moisturising lipsticks.

Ruby Copper

Going Rouge

Age Is Just A Number

This is a game-changing product. Apply generously before your makeup routine.

Team Jolie

Strong Bond

Keep your eye makeup looking fab with the help of an eye base. Apply generously and blend; later apply your favourite eye shadow for a long-lasting look.

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In search of plumper lips? Line your natural lips and if feeling adventurous, line them barely outside for a powfactor effect.

Smoothing Lip Pencil

Peach Baby Girl

Add colour to your cheeks with a natural looking blush. Keep it clean and classy by applying to the apple of your cheeks.

uLTIMUNE power INFUSING CONCENTRATE

Full House, Full Lash

Have fun this season and coat as much as you can - the bigger the better.

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Beauty Talk

House of Holland

Rohmir BTS

Apu Jan

Fendi

Defining Liquid Eyeline, Elizabeth Arden

Sculpting Multiple in Copacabana and Sidari Beach, NARS

Victoria Beckham, Estée lAUDER

get your mood into

festive Mode In case you didn’t get the memo – red, gold and all things luxurious are at

Enhancing Trio, Shiseido

the top of the list this season. Here

XIAO LI

are our best picks to keep you warm with full on glam

mATTE eXTENSION, chRISTIAN loUBOUTIN

Victoria Beckham, Estée lAUDER

I LOVE JUICY COUTURE, JUICY COUTURE

Liquid Assets Collection, Elizabeth Arden Chanel

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Full Correction Lip Treatment, Shiseido

Balenciaga

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Beauty Bulletin

5 Tips

Rouge in the city collection, Bourjois

obsession Revlon

On How To Recover From The Aftermath The party might have been great, but has it left you in bad shape?

Beauty Editor, Sofia Graniello shares tips for a shameless look

Christian Louboutin

Feel Tea-rrific

Nurture your skin with hydrating products, especially if you’re one to use a lot of makeup. If you ask me, green tea is just the perfect match since it flushes out toxins from the skin, heals blemishes, and soothes the complexion.

Add A Pop Of Colour

You got home late and now you’re in a rush for brunch? Relax, we’ve got your covered. Apply a bit of concealer, especially in those areas of need and add a pop of colour to your lips. No matter what state you’re in, a bit of colour to your face will deliver the: “I’m ok, ready to go” look.

Even Skin Tone Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream, Shiseido

Power Puffed Eyes

It’s the morning after and you’re probably in search for those big sunglasses. Look great in five minutes by applying this cult beauty product before heading out the door.

Re-apply during the evening for a brighter complexion.

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Exfoliate Till You Drop

Who said exfoliating is only for summer?

Wrong. During this time of forever changing weather, exfoliating comes in very handy. Get rid of dead skin by scrubbing twice a week.

And if you’re not into BHA, or AHA – then this is the perfect time to start packing on these retinols.

Green tea clay, silkmud

Stop The Break Out, Please

It’s that time of the year to look your very best, but you’re obviously breaking out. There a number of factors that could be triggering your skin with unwanted visitors. Stress being one, dirty bed sheets are definitely another – yes, clean your sheets! Dirty makeup up brushes, makeup that clogs your pores. I’d say: get rid of old makeup utensils and start clean.

Beauty means

expression

R ede f i n e b e a u t y w i th the s e s o u g ht - a f ter l i p s t i c k l ook s Kat Von D Beauty Everlasting Lipstick in LUV, Sephora www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Beauty Insight

Crayon Lip Liner in Fuscsia, Sephora Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamoured High-Shine Lip Gloss in Hot Hot Hot, Sephora 70

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Crayon Lip Liner in Pink Beige, Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in Little Treat, Sephora www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Beauty Focus

The Dark Flask

Known for flamboyant style, daring pieces and breathtaking scents, Roberto Cavalli is bringing back the dolce vita vision. The exquisite Gold Collection is composed of six exclusive fragrances with an intense power of seduction – just in time to smell expensive.

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Beauty Column It’s that time of year again where we pull out our cocktail dresses and gowns and dust off the nutribullet… that’s right, it’s party season. After a long, hot summer it seems someone has switched the lights back on and invitations to dinner parties, drinks and festive celebrations are arriving quicker than we can keep up with. Well, fear not, I’m here to help through this busy time so you can look and feel your best.

Organisation Is Key

Book all your pampering appointments now. Being organised is so important and will save you from lots of stress and give you more time for partying. Time slots fill up super quickly towards the end of the year so book all your hair appointments, mani/pedis, spray tans and blow-dries now to avoid being disappointed. It pays to book now right up until new years.

Keep Up Your Skincare Regime

You’ll probably be very tired around this time but don’t let your skin down as there’s only so much that make up can hide, so be sure to wash your face thoroughly and treat yourself to a deep cleanse facial if time permits so that your complexion won’t suffer. Load up on serums, eye cream and hydrating moisturisers to get you through. A good moisturising mask will do wonders also.

Invest In Clever Products

Make up wipes, illuminating concealer, longwear foundation, dry shampoo and anything hydrating and glowing are your best friends for party season. This also goes for any type of product that doubles as something else, like a lip tint that can also be used as blush, so that you can take it with you in your small but fabulous party clutch.

Keep It Simple

Take the stress out of getting party ready by hiring someone to come to your house to do your blow-dry or your make up.

If doing your own hair and make-up is really not your thing then outsource it to the professionals. There are a few great companies that can even come to your house to get you red carpet ready. Speaking of keeping things simple, this can also relate to makeup and hair if you are doing it yourself. You don’t need to go overboard with major hairstyling or loads of make up; a chic ponytail and a simple make-up look with a slick of gloss and lots of mascara can look just as good as a full-on hair and makeup style.

Don’t Skip The Gym

Your body will thank you come new year’s day if you’ve managed to keep up your fitness regime. It’s so easy to say “oh but I’m so tired” or to just be lazy while stuffing that 15th mince pie in your gorgeous face but exercise will actually boost your energy and give you a better quality of sleep. Be sure to also drink loads of water. Last year I told you all not to overindulge on the party food and then preceded to eat numerous amounts of deep fried Arancini balls - this year I’m not saying anything (if anyone sees me out please come and prise the canapes out of my hands).

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Party Animal

Soirée season has arrived and it’s busier than ever. Angela Beitz shares her tips for surviving the festive run of events

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NEW YEAR

EVE

Join us for the gala event of the year at Me & You on the 31st of December 2016 BD 38 net per person limited tickets available for more information or tickets please contact us on 1601 0160 or 3838 0357

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r i a f f A s s i A Sw

r discove o t a ev to Gen s l besides e v , l a a r t c i llo so mag Granie e c a a i l f p o is S e kes th f cours a o m , e t t a a wh col its cho

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Travel Escapes

“The hotel interiors matches its unique history. Its renovation, under the helm of New York designer, Tony Chi, has caught well-deserved attention” Having visited Geneva and discovered all its grandeur,

I have to say, it was nothing I expected it to be. Having flown with Qatar Airways in their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the airline knows how to bring the luxe factor to the skies. The new model is all about comfort and efficiency for its loyal costumers. Not only that, Qatar Airways is the first Middle Eastern airline to launch the 787 Dreamliner with an all-new airplane design to increase efficiency while improving the flying experience. Having also flown in their one of a kind (and super opulent) Business Class cabin, the Boeing 787 holds up to 254 passengers with 22 seats in Business Class and 232 in Economy – it’s definitely something out of this world. The many advanced technologies such as their latest feature of tinted photoelectric windows and a unique humidifier (preventing fatigue) offer a state-of-the-art experience. And with all of the above luxuries, the journey was smooth and spacious with impeccable dining throughout.

After landing on Swiss soil with not a hint of fatigue or exhaustion, InterContinental Geneve became my home for several days. And when I say home, its friendly and discrete staff made my stay a pleasant one – I can’t say I felt homesick at all. It really didn’t

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surprise me, what with all the professionalism and prestige of this hotel, that it is ranked among the world’s highest luxury 5-star hotels.

It’s worth also noting that its worldly heritage is cemented by its proximity to the United Nations district and beyond that, you have outstanding views of Lake Leman and the majestic mountains of Mont Blanc and Jura which offer the best of nature.

Staying in one the hotel’s spacious and modern rooms and waking up to a view filled with nature, was something that never got old. The prominent hotel is also popular among the elite, who take great pride in holding many events on the premises where it’s come to be a hub for political and social engagement. Famous world leaders have left their mark on the hotel over the years, such as four presidents of the United States of America, Kings and Queens from the world over (including from the Middle East) and countless ministers and ambassadors.

The hotel interiors matches its unique history. Its renovation, under the helm of New York designer, Tony Chi, has caught welldeserved attention. The acclaimed and talented designer brought a new and fresh look to the venue with a more zen ambience and a modern twist. And as my stay was more pleasant and relaxing by the minute, the true cherry on top was visiting – without a doubt – one of the most tantilising resident spaces I will ever encounter in my life, and that is, The Residence. Located at the top of the hotel with a 360 degree view of the city, it is reserved for special stays for the most discerning guests. And when I say, discerning guests, I am of course referring to the Saudi Royal family and other leaders in the Gulf.

Having had dinner at this magical place, also reworked by Tony Chi, it was as spectacular as I imagined it to be. From Christofle silver www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Travel Escapes

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“Staying in one the hotel’s spacious and modern rooms and waking up to a view filled with nature, was something that never got old” cutlery to artifacts from the George Smith Ottoman collection, The Residence was an unforgettable experience. But if your interests lie outside the realm of a hotel (like me), you’ll find that Geneva has a plethora of places to visit – where you can get that all important selfie with a stunning backdrop.

My first stop with Geneva Tourism, was at the Victorinox boutique, where I made my own and personal Victorinox knife while taking a carving class. If you like challenges, then this will definitely be something for you, as you get to assemble your own personal knife to take home with an engraving, too.

And for a more relaxed and family-oriented experience, Courage was my next stop: a place to purchase local food, flowers and other goods with a Mediterranean vibe to it. But the true stars of Geneva are the many chocolate ateliers the city offers. Of course I paid a welldeserved visit to Philippe Pascoët, an award winning chocolatier who knows how to combine the very best for an exotic bite. There I had the opportunity to taste the many chocolates they have to offer and learn about the history of chocolate and take my own creation home.

This is seriously a must visit place, even if you’re late for your flight!

But enough of eateries, Geneva is also known for its acclaimed watch making industry and luxurious shopping - all found at their famous Rue du Rhône with a myriad of jewellery boutiques, exclusive watch stores and other notable stores to make a shopping experience a worthwhile one. Geneva is also popular for its location and its accessibility for quick getaways to Milan, Lake Como, and France – all within a 2 hour journey. The city and its history unifies the local and outside visitors for a true understanding of what Geneva represents, having said that, the International Red Cross Crescent Museum and International District are experiences not to be missed when travelling to this beautiful city. Whether you visit for business purposes or you just want to unwind and enjoy nature at its best, the city of Geneva offers countless things to do. www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Miss Selfridge

Ohlala Boutiques

High street heroes

Hobbs

zara

As the party season rolls on, we share with you the most enticing buys – revel in all the shimmer, embellishments and glamour

The Frock

Gucci

Happy Feet

Topshop

On a night out?

Make the necessary statements with these va-va-voom heels.

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Charles & Keith

Monsoon

Nine west

Prada

Topshop

Topshop

new look

The best part of the festive season is dressing up. From the out-there dresses to the discreetly chic and demure shift pieces, take your pick.

Accessorize

Debenhams

What To Buy

cuff mood @ Debenhaams

For your friends and loved ones. And everyone else who’s been good.

inglot

Cath kidston

How fabulous are these sleek, sophisticated, some minimal, some wow-factor pieces?

Accessorize

The Jewels

Parfois

Parfois

Parfois

missoni

moschino

Marks & Spencer

The Bags

Complete your look and put all your nightly essentials in these it-bags.

Miss Selfridge aldo

stradivarius

Parfois

stradivarius

Dune

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Ohlala Boutiques

Step this way

For both men and women, Hush Puppies have always made us love walking in their shoes. Not only are they comfortable, they are super chic too. For a surefire gift, Hush Puppies accommodates to the most discerning of styles

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Ohlala Boutiques

Homely Touches

When it comes to gift-giving for the home, Lakeland have us sorted. For all those gingerbread moments, you’ve got the right tools to show them off. Or if you’re a caffeine fiend, Lakeland also have the perfect sets, too

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Ohlala Boutiques

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02

03

04

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Holiday Romance Be on trend with Juicy Couture’s festive season pieces.

The collection is full of sophistication, playfulness and heaps of edge

01. Sweater Embellished Cardigan, Amethyst Mist, BD 120 | 02. Faberge Egg Charm. Gold, BD 20 | 03. Tatiana Multi Strand Statement Necklace. Gold. BD 80 | 04. Winter Palace Pearl Statement Earrings. Gold. BD 33 05. Leather Mix Moto Jacket. Pitch Black. BD 95 | 06. Luxe Party Feather Crossbody. Pitch Black. BD 95 | 07. Winter Palace Pearl Statement Ring. Gold. BD 33

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The Holiday Gift Guide

1. BADGLEY MISCHKA Kiara Pump. BD 112. 2. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Barbie leopard kids flats. BD 130.

3. GUCCI GUILTY Pour Homme. BD 41. 4. CHANEL Sublimage La crème. BD 166, L’extrait 255.800, Le teint BD 86.

5. CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Barbie Pomeline heels. BD 425. 6. VALENTINO MEN’S Elastic band sneaker. BD 261.

7. TOM FORD Oud Wood Eau de Parfum BD 241.500. 8. BALENCIAGA MEN’S Square wallet grid. BD 85.

9. DAVID CHARLES Sparkle clutch. BD 58. 10. VIKTOR & ROLF Bonbon Eau de Parfum. BD 78.

11. SAINT LAURENT Small love heart crossbody bag. BD 308.

12. CZ KENNETH JAY LANE multi-coloured stone necklace BD 255 & bracelet BD 204.

13. CHLOÉ Eau de Parfum. BD 54. 14. TATEOSSIAN Cufflinks. BD 92.

15. SOPHIA WEBSTER Raye bow-embellished platform. BD 263.

Saks Fifth Avenue, +973 17172000, City Centre Bahrain

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Ohlala Boutiques

Holiday Joy With Nespresso There’s nothing quite like a cosy cup of coffee – especially if it’s from a rich source.

To mark the festive season Nespresso are launching three limited edition variations inspired by coffee house traditions of elegant Vienna For every coffee-loving aficionado, the following festive variations will reignite your love for the best part of your day: Coffee time.

Apfelstrudel

Variations Apfelstrudel is inspired by the classic layered puff pastry dessert which contains a sweet apple filling delicately spiced with cinnamon. In this tempting Espresso, Livanto’s balance and roundness is complemented with the rich aromas of pastry, baked apples and a hint of cinnamon.

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Linzer Torte

Nespresso pays homage to the popular Austrian Linzer Torte: a tasty red fruit tart topped with a recognisable latte design. This Espresso is a delightful marriage of Livanto’s balance and roundness with the taste of red fruits and spice dough notes.

Sachertorte

Nespresso celebrates the popular Austrian Sachertorte, a glazed chocolate cake with a thin layer of sweet apricot jam. Best enjoyed as an Espresso, Variations Sachertorte combines the balance and roundness of the Livanto Grand Cru with soft chocolate and apricot notes.

Our family has expanded, come and check out our new store!

El Mercado, Janabiya

El Mercado (+973) 17 739769 Nakheel (+973) 17 591181 Saar (+973) 17 739739 Amwaj (+973) 16 033773 Durrat (+973) 77 770001 Riffa (+973) 17 750006 Juffair (+973) 17 71816

Follow us on

Alosra Supermarket

Alosrasupermarket

www.alosraonline.com

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Chic Eats

By The Sea

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s La Mer restaurant is your perfect sea-facing destination on our shores. We sample mouth-watering dishes that affirm our love of fish

a

s with all good seafood restaurants, we arrive at La Mer and are left ooing and aa-ing over the expansive water views that are unending and rich in every blue hue imaginable – especially on this particular day. Being within jumping distance to the sea allows you to take every dish seriously, even if it’s not been sourced from under your feet, the whole atmosphere adds to La Mer’s authentic ocean credentials.

We start off with some super soft and luxurious Seaweed Bread which we’d never had before, making the first-time experience even more enticing and special. This is followed by a Signature Seafood Soup filled with Tiger Prawns, a Medley of Mussels and wonderfully colourful garnishing. It was light and flavoursome without being overtly fishy but still an adventurous maritime inspired dish.

Next up was a dish that married up artistic presentation with unique pairings of flavour: The Cajun Crab and Quinoa Cake. Delicate in bitesize and packed in with taste, this got us talking loud and good and with much enthusiasm for we hadn’t ever tried anything like it before. The diced wedges of avocado on top offered a nice addition to the crab flavour and in fact, brought out all the goodness in it. It was very soft too.

Scallops always provide major talking points for us, so you can imagine what happened when we tucked into the Seared Scallops doused in Coconut and Vanilla Sauce with Pea Pod and Prawn with Anise. The prawns and scallops were meaty and succulent in equal measure and simply confirmed their starry status in our books.

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The Roasted Canadian Lobster with Lemon Confit, Creamy Risotto with Sichuan Pepper and Pumpkin was to-die-for, quite frankly. The risotto in particular was heaven-sent while the lobster was feather-soft. This was a dish we kept going for until the plate was dishwasher-clean.

The star of the lunch had to go to the Baby Hammour Fillet with Pistachio Crust, Cauliflower, Roasted Garlic and Shellfish Jus. Again, lots of points for presentation

“Delicate in bitesize and packed in with taste, this got us talking loud and good and with much enthusiasm for we hadn’t ever tried anything like it before” and creativity as it was elegantly poised on the plate but the hammour itself was a dream to cut into and provided much ooze and panache in flavour.

When it comes to desserts, even if we are bursting at the seams, we don’t skimp or compromise – especially when chocolate is involved. The Chocolate Cannele, Red Fruit Compote and White Valrhona Chocolate Ice Cream presented a game-changing experience to our usual gamut of desserts and made us leap with joy with every bite. If you’re a chocolate-loving fiend, this dessert will have you fighting for the last bite.

For more information or reservations call: 1763 6363

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Chic Eats

BranchinG

Out

Alosra supermarket opens its seventh branch in Bahrain at El Mercado Janabiya and oh it is good

A

losra supermarket, the

fresh and friendly subsidiary of the BMMI Group, officially opened its seventh branch in the Kingdom of Bahrain on November 1, in El Mercado in Janabiya.

The official launch was marked by an event on Tuesday evening, which was attended by senior government officials, VIPs, dignitaries, members of the El Mercado Board of Directors, First Bahrain Real Estate Development Co. management, members of the BMMI Board of Directors and Alosra management.

The newest Alosra outlet is the anchor supermarket of the impressive new neighbourhood market, El Mercado Janabiya, a project by First Bahrain Real Estate Development Co. The beautifully landscaped open-air retail centre features a mix of restaurants, cafes and shops, and is built on an elevated platform, offering scenic southern views in a vehicle-free pedestrian environment.

Alosra Janabiya is the seventh outlet for the supermarket in Bahrain, in addition to its store in Dhahran in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This newest store is built following state-ofthe-art standards, with unique interiors, product layout, fittings and offerings. This ensures that Alosra presents its customers 94

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with a new and elevated concept in retailing, based on their extensive understanding and experience in the local and international markets. The new outlet will feature a fresh fruit and vegetable section, a butchery, a bakery and a wide range of organic products.

Alosra Janabiya’s offerings were selected with the health and well-being of customers in mind. The outlet has introduced a fresh juice station and will offer a variety of freshly-ground, natural nut butters. All fruits and vegetables in the store are handpicked and sorted before being put on display. The bakery uses zero added sugar in all their breads, in addition to all beef and lamb sold in the butchery being grass-fed. Furthermore, the store will offer a large selection of vegan alternatives, dairy substitutes and non-dairy products and an array of glutenfree goods. Additionally, the store includes a greater range of chilled space, ensuring an expanded offering of chilled and dairy items from all around the globe. The new store will also include additional offerings in product ranges, with Alosra partaking in new food and beverages partnerships from local and international brands.

“Alosra caters to a customer base of cultured, well-travelled and discerning individuals with experienced palettes and varying tastes,” said Jaffar Al-Asfoor, BMMI Vice President, Food Retailing and Production. “We know that our customers have very high expectations of us and we constantly encourage feedback from them regarding their wants and needs. We have identified that customers are expecting more health-conscious alternatives and Alosra Janabiya definitely delivers.”

Valuing itself as a lifestyle partner to its customers, Alosra Janabiya also features innovative displays that aim to inspire.

Customers will find a diverse number of exclusive recipes, displayed with the accompanying ingredients, as well as tips and advice on how to make the most of the products they purchase, all available in-store.

Alosra Janabiya is open seven days a week, from 7am to 11pm.

Chic Eats

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december

Dining

“Eat, drink and be merry�

Proverb

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“Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate” Jo Brand The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain

Indulge in a festive celebration of culinary delights highlighted by the chefs’ splendid creations - from live cooking and carving stations, large seafood and prime rib corner to a delectable spread of heavenly desserts.

Along with live entertainment, fun activities and impeccable service from the hotel’s Ladies and Gentlemen, kids and grownups alike will have the time of their lives. It’s BD41++ and BD21++ for kids – 25 December from 12:30-4:30pm, in the Grand Foyer. And for new years, spend an exhilarating night with loved ones. Move to the beats of DJ Marcela and jiggle your feet on the led dance floor together with Tron dancers combining the special effects of light and movements to bring the party to a new level. Enjoy the dinner show and indulge in a culinary journey. It’s BD99++ with alcoholic beverages and BD65++ without. It’s happening at the Al Noor Ballroom from 8:00pm till 2:00am. Call: 1758 0000

Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre

National Day is round the corner and this property has it all sorted out for you with a special brunch. CPR holders enjoy a special 50% discount.

It’s BD22 with soft beverages and BD36 with select alcoholic beverages.

It’s on 16 December at Baharat from 12:30-4:00pm. For Christmas Day, Baharat have a luxurious brunch set for you all with a proper feast. It’s BD22++ and BD36++ for each respective package and it’s on from 12:304:30pm on Christmas Day. While Bizarre Lounge at the Le Méridien is the place to be for all the chic party goers in town. Dance away to some high energy beats with our DJ churning out some progressive and funky tunes on new year’s eve. It’s BD15++ and BD40++ (inclusive of a snack buffer and drinks packages) – it’s happening at the Bizarre lounge from 7:00pm-2:00am. Call 1717 1441

The Westin Bahrain City Centre

There’s no better way to enjoy the warmth of the festive season than catching up with good friends over a traditional Afternoon Tea made sweeter by melt-in-your mouth Pastries and Scones at the Furn Bakery.

Enjoy this from 1-25 December for BD20++ for two guests from 2:006:00pm. And ring in the new year with some Parisian panache at Boudoir, feasting over an Á la Carte menu accompanied by your loved ones, and live entertainment by the Colombian Duo. It’s on from 9:00pm-2:00am.

Call: 1717 1441

Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain

The famous Christmas brunch is coming your way. Enjoy traditional Christmas delicacies, such as roasted pig, eggnog, mulled wine, roast turkey with all the trimmings and chestnut stuffing, and much more. It’s priced at BD45. And for the ultimate Sinatra new year’s eve party, indulge in our open-bar, extravagant dinner buffet spread across three outlets and dance the night away. All guests are free to roam around, whilst the performance is going on at Silks and The Gallery restaurants, with an in-house DJ playing at intervals in all three outlets, including Flamingo.

Prices include the open bar and buffet: BD 80 -The Gallery, BD75 - Silks and BD70 – Flamingo. Call: 1746 0017 98

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Meisei

Fancy something different this new year’s eve? Bahrain’s most elegant evening is at Meisei, featuring Trix & Sax, a sophisticated entertainment duo which brings together international Saxophonist Sarah Chandler (founder of the famous London Saxation girls) and one of the UK’s finest Sleight of Hand Magicians, Ashley Turner. The duo perform in tandem with Sarah’s improve style Saxophone vibes, and Ashley performing his Sleight of Hand Miracles. Call: 1700 7770

Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

Mark the festive season with family and friends by enjoying a fabulous meal at the award-winning Royal Golf Club. Book now for a traditional Christmas Day Brunch with all the trimmings or indulge in the spectacular New Year’s Eve set dinner. The Christmas Day Brunch costs just BD32 inclusive of unlimited selected beverages while children aged 6 to 12 years can enjoy the day for just BD16. Kids aged 1 to 5 years eat for free. Santa will be taking a break from his busy schedule to drop off gifts for the little ones! The lavish four course new year’s eve dinner in Links Restaurant will feature entertainment from a live DJ who will make sure the new year is welcomed in with style! Call: 1775 0777

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

Enjoy a spectacular spread of food at Al Bahrain ballroom with special festive dishes such as marinated salmon, roast turkey with trimmings, brussels sprouts, chestnut stuffing and cranberry sauce, seafood bar on ice with freshly chuckled rock oyster from UK, Omani lobster, marinated calamari, mussels from New Zealand, Yule log, Christmas pudding, panettone, Stollen, mince pie with live band entertainment. It’s BD32++ and BD42++ and is on from 12:30-3:30pm. And for a new year’s eve dinner buffet at Bahrain Bay Kitchen, there will be a seafood bar on ice with freshly chuckled rock oyster from UK, Omani lobster, marinated calamari, mussels from New Zealand, roast beef Yorkshire pudding, Linzer torte, homemade macaroons, handmade chocolate truffles, live chocolate soufflé and a live band will be preforming. It’s BD32++ and BD42++. It’s on from 8:00pm-2:00am. Call: 1711 5000

The Domain Hotel and Spa

Tuck into a massive 7-course Christmas dinner with all the usual favourites for you to feast on – not to mention, with a spectacular view of Manama from Le Sauvage on level 34. Enjoy your dinner from 19-25 December from 7:00-10:00pm where it’s BD19++ and BD20++. You can expect an equally thrilling new year’s eve experience from Chef Rukmal at Le Sauvage on level 34. It’s also a 7-course dinner with everything you could possibly ask for, to ring in the new year on a thrilling note. It’s BD20++ and BD29++. Call: 1600 0000

Sheraton Bahrain Hotel

This fine property has put together a delicious seasonal favorites to make your Christmas Day a meal to remember. From roast turkey to tenderloin steak medallions, to Christmas cakes and tempting desserts, you will find

Chic Eats

Arabic tunes, Zahle is the right place for you. Celebrate new year’s eve with their Lebanese band and belly dancer while you enjoy and satisfy your taste buds with their authentic mezze and traditional selections. It’s BD69++ for the regular package and BD62++ for the prestige package.

Call: 1774 6404

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa

Make this Christmas a truly international experience for all of your loved ones and colleagues. Enjoy a wide variety of cuisines from all over the world at Saraya, Wok, and Fiamma restaurants, with each outlet offering its unique take on International, Vietnamese, and Italian cuisine. Keep your kids laughing as they play in the kid’s corner, while you enjoy the tunes of our resident Cuban band. It’s BD42 from 12:30-4:00pm. And on new year’s eve, experience the Caribbean right here in Bahrain! From the islands of Calypso, Bachata, Merengue and Rumba dance performances, start 2017 with rhythms from a dazzling dance show! This property presents you with a colourful dance performance by an enchanting and glamourous Afro-Cuban dance group who will light the flares in a night to remember. Enjoy a dinner experience with a spectacular performance and celebrate the passion and spirit of the Caribbean islands. It’s BD75 inclusive of a set menu dinner and drinks. Call: 1763 6363 special dishes to satisfy your taste buds. They’ve got a party planned for your children too! Christmas lunch will be served at Al Safir Restaurant for just BD19.900++ for adults. Children from 4-12 years get 50% discount and below 4 years eat for free. And for a romantic new year’s eve dinner, head to Soie for a special set menu for BD16.900++ or BD 21.900++. Call: 1753 3533

ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands

Celebrate the joyous occasion of Christmas with family and friends at their fantastic Christmas Day brunch. They are offering all the bells and whistles of a traditional festive feast with their family brunches in Choices and Rosso. Both brunches shall feature a wide range of festive flare, live music, games for the children and of course a visit from Santa. It’s from 12:30-5:00pm - Choices BD25++/BD35++ and Rosso BD15++/ BD20++. And have a ball this new year’s eve as New York comes to Cellar 59 this year for a night of classy big apple entertainment. Featuring special musical performances accompanied by resident DJ Boudi. Doors open at 8:00pm and the entertainment starts at 10:00pm. It’s BD10 for ladies and BD20 for men. There’s free entry if you dine in one of their restaurants after 7:00pm on the same day. Call: 1600 0111

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Convention & Spa

At Christmas, play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes once a year. A Christmas brunch that has it all, a place filled with cheers, a jolly Santa Claus, loads of children’s activities, live music and much more. One thing is for sure, they are said to be having the biggest Christmas brunch in town! For a regular package it’s BD28++/BD21++ but for the prestige package, you’re looking at BD18++/BD25++. Kids aged 6-12 get a 50% discount and under dine for free. And for new year’s eve, if you prefer

Trader Vic’s Bahrain

Trader Vic’s Bahrain is kicking off 2017 in style with its new year’s eve Dinner menu. For an exotic New Year’s getaway, guests can escape to Trader Vic’s Bahrain and get a taste of paradise through exotic cuisines, out of this world cocktails and a memorable dining experience with a fivecourse set menu and a celebratory Bubbly at midnight. Courses include Lobster salad with Vanilla Tarragon Vinaigrette; and Black Angus beef Tenderloin with Purple Truffle Mashed Potatoes. Guests with a sweet tooth can indulge in Chestnut Milles Feuille & Plum Compote. After dinner, guests can enjoy live entertainment and an open-bar from a selected menu throughout the night into the early hours of 2017. For dinner and celebrations (from 7:00pm onwards), it’s BD79++ and just for the celebrations (from 11:30pm onwards) it’s BD39++. Call: 1758 6555

Bushido Restaurant & Lounge

Bushido will be running a seasonal festive menu from 22-27 December (not inclusive of Christmas Day) allowing diners to enjoy a selection from our special starters and main courses which include The Festive Roll, Teppanyaki Scallops with a creamy avocado mousse. The dishes are available either as part of Bushido’s A La Carte selection, or alternatively can be formed as part of a special Festive Set Menu for BD24.5++. And finally, the year 2016 resonates with a strategic year for Buddha-Bar. In September, the venue celebrated its 20th anniversary in Paris and to celebrate two decades of success and unlimited developments, Bushido’s new year’s eve we will be centered on celebrating this emblematic venue as we will be welcoming special Buddha Bar entertainment for NYE! Doors open at 8:30pm where it’s free entry for ladies before 9:30pm and after it’s BD10 and then BD15 for men in advance and BD25 on the door. Call: 1758 3555 www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Health Files

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am about to confess a cardinal spa sin so unimaginable, my contemporaries will declare me practically unfit to preach. I’ve never had a facial – there I’ve said it. Somehow, between all the lush spa experiences I’ve had, facials have gone amiss. A dreadful omission on my part, as I’ve always been borderline terrified of having one, truth be told. My mother had a life-altering facial resulting in adult acne for several years.

And since she’d told me her horror story, I’ve always declined facials.

Something however, told me to try one at The Gulf Spa. It was time to set aside my calcified fears and lend my face for some necessary work.

The Gulf Spa will be a jaw-dropping surprise to everyone. Not only is it a labyrinth of otherworldly corridors and meaningful Sufi poetry in art form (courtesy of Bahrain based artist Karima Sharabi), it is also a wood-paneled, contemporary space that offers a Scandi vibe that will restore balance to your body, mind and spirit.

I underwent an hour-long Awaken Facial in a fully decked out and plumbed treatment room with simple, minimal décor. One of the biggest selling points of an individual treatment room is having your own private bathroom and shower – it makes the burden of mid-treatment nature calling less of a fuss.

Of all the products that are used throughout the spa, I was really impressed with the inclusion of Green Bar – others include Natura Blissé Barcelona, Aromatherapy Associates and Shiffa Dubai Skincare. These supernatural, organic and luxurious products created by Reem Al Khalifa are a spa experience in themselves.

With all their non synthetic ingredients and natural properties (and the fact that it’s a home-grown Bahraini brand) make it a joy to be lathered in their wholesome goodness.

The Awaken Facial using Green Bar products (developed exclusively for this treatment) started off with a Hibiscus Cleanser. My therapist swiped into every pore, crevice and wrinkle of my sunbeaten face and I instantly felt an injection of energy. Then came a Palm and Rose Water Toner called Glowing Moon Water which sealed the refreshing first-part process.

Now the bit that I feared the most – the exfoliation. The impending roughness had me nervous– especially with my uber sensitive, eczema-laden skin. But using a Mulberry and Rose Powder exfoliator, my therapist went about my skin in gentle swirls without going at it like a hammer.

A steamer followed, where warm but intense puffs of air panted across my face and gave me a boost of energy and a lovely tingle. After a brief extraction of some unwanted, clogged up debris on my nose, I experienced an interesting cold and hotel towel compression over my face. Taking it in turns to really awaken my skin, the difference in temperature, couple with a decent amount of pressure, offered a jolt to the system, leaving me feeling fantastic.

Then came a relaxing face, neck (and a head!) massage using a Face Elixir Oil made up of Rice Bran Oil, Geranium and Lavender. The waft of scents were serene, the application was smooth and the strokes were wave-like. A feather-soft brush was then used to apply a Crush Pearl Mask which felt cool and prickly fresh. The final Fig Cream (with all its anti-oxidant properties) was a thick and creamy pot of love that completed my stress-busting treatment with an indulgent touch. After all that, I practically had a pregnant glow. Fears abated, facials are my new favourite thing.

A Modern Haven

As The Gulf Hotel Bahrain opens its brand new: The Gulf Spa, Georgie Bradley unearths a world of contemporary fixtures, calming art and transformative treatments

The Awaken Facial is 60 minutes and is BD35. For more information or reservations call: 1774 6289 or email: spa@gulfhotelbahrain.com 100 www.ohlala-magazine.com

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Ohlala Spotlight

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Power woman Cristalyn Pastrana of Sheraton Bahrain Hotel is a force to be reckoned with. We sit with the Director of Marketing to chat patience, mottos and why empowerment is the key to success Hello Cristalyn! Let’s start by talking

about your recent achievement within the Starwood group. What does this award mean to you?

Having kept the award for the last 4 years as ‘Bahrain’s Leading Business Hotel’ for Sheraton Bahrain Hotel for four consecutive years since 2013 is a great achievement personally and for our team. The World Travel Awards is the most prestigious and comprehensive in the travel and tourism industry.

Female empowerment is a topic we love to discuss at Ohlala. What does it mean to you to be in a high powered position?

It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and love for what I do to reach the position I’m in now. It has been a long journey of challenges.

You have to work hard every day and work towards a goal and when you reach it, it feels good and fulfilling.

How do you think women juggle it all?

I think women have a lot of patience and are more flexible. We can adapt easily and can manage multi-tasking. A lot of working mums can relate to this - sometimes you’ll just sit and realise that you did the cooking, entertained the kids and replied to emails and phone calls - all at the same time.

Amazing right?

Let’s back track to your beginnings with Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. What’s your journey been from the start till now?

I started working at Sheraton Bahrain Hotel in 2012 as the Marketing Manager, though I started my hospitality career from other brands since 2006. Empowerment is the best thing that anyone can give an employee. I had this from the beginning until now. I felt empowered during my job and executed the plans towards my goal for

the hotel and that makes a lot of difference.

Explain your role within Sheraton Bahrain Hotel?

I am the Director of Marketing and am in charge of the overall marketing planning and execution, branding, public relations, social media & digital marketing. I am also part of the Middle East Marketing Council for Sheraton that supports Sheraton in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Do you have a motto that you go by?

Set a goal whether it’s personal or professional and work at it daily. Without a goal it’s like you’re walking without knowing where to go.

What’s the best part about working at Sheraton Bahrain Hotel?

The reward of reaching our goals together as a team. We have a fantastic team that works together and is very fun to work with.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

I’ll wake up at 5 in the morning to prepare my daughter for school and am out by 6:15am to drop her off at school by 7:00am. This is followed by coffee with my husband and then 7:45am work starts at the Sheraton.

What’s a key trait to succeed in this industry?

Smile. Smile and the world smiles with you. Patience, you need a lot of that in the hospitality industry.

What advice would you give anyone wanting to enter hospitality?

If you love to serve people you’ll fit in. If you love to be served then you’re better off as a guest.

Who do you look up to?

First will always be my mother, she has the greatest patience in the world which I probably didn’t get half of; second would be my husband who has walked with me on my journey and has taught me how to be a stronger person and mother for our daughter.

Cristalyn’s Closet What’s your go-to outfit?

Jeans and a black shirt.

BCBGMaxazria

Natasha zinko @ stylebop

What’s your favourite hue?

Black and white.

Issa @ Symphony

Who’s your style icon?

Angelina Jolie.

Favourite luxury brand?

Carolina Herrera.

Flats or heels?

Heels.

Giuseppe zanotti

Favourite style trend?

Elegant, simple yet classy.

What would you wear on a night out?

A black dress.

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Golden Scissors

Ask any lady on the island where you should get your hair done, and it’s likely they’ll cite renowned Elie & Jean. We speak with director, John Luke, about why it’s the most cutting-edge salon to date 104 www.ohlala-magazine.com

Ohlala Spotlight

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lie & Jean have an envious reputation of being one of the most prestigious salons in Bahrain. We can attest to that – our tresses have been taken care of many a time. We all have our favourite hairdressers, notably the ones who are not just there to fix our hair but offer life advice, relaxation and a slice of unabashed fun. The beautification process is always personal at Elie & Jean and above all, consistent.

Elie & Jean was founded in the 1970s by two brothers of the same name. Fast forward to 2016, John Luke, the son of Elie, is now at the helm of the business. Having trained by Tony & Guy in London in 1995, John Luke had a further stint in Sydney and then came back to Bahrain where he has been behind the growing success of this family success story.

We meet John Luke at the Elie & Jean Salon Supply in the Seef District. The salon is practically a laboratory decked out in a multiplicity of colourful hair products from TIGI to Bed Head and there’s a reassuringly spirited vibe that is both relaxed and professional.

Having started off with a branch at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain to then opening up at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain to the to the Mövenpick to opening a branch at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, under the name: Tigi Concept Salon which is part of HUG (Hairdressers United Group), the company have gone from strength to strength and continues to be the most commonly spread salon by word-of-mouth.

But what does it take to be a standout salon in a region where hair care is a big deal? Trust, loyalty and longevity can be accounted for Elie & Jean’s success story. The family affair element of the business allows it to flourish as it’s cemented by that bond. “Being a stand-alone hairdresser means constantly fighting against new crop,” explains John Luke. When a

new hairdresser comes in and blows the rest out the water, the struggle is real. “But a hairdresser will always have 10% of their clients who will never leave them. Even if you retire, they’ll still come and knock on your door - they’ll practically die with you – but other than that, there’s always new talent. We always try to keep bringing in new people, who are talented, they will keep driving the business forward,” he says.

So what does it take to be a good hairdresser? Surprisingly creative is not at the top of the criteria. “You’ve got to have a fun personality, good training and good people reading skills – creativity is an extra and is hard to come by. Being creative is very difficult. Most people just recreate – they are copy creative or recreative where they string together many different looks and create something out of that. Being truly creative only happens every now and again,” he adds.

Cuts and colours are the bread and butter in the hairdressing industry.

Having a bit of flamboyancy and flair goes a long way. “This is what gets the clients back” – that and Brazilian blow outs and a plethora of treatments “are the biggest ask here”.

As experienced John Luke is with the aforementioned cuts and colours, he has moved into a different sphere of hair: shows. A show hairdresser is a lot more technical about things. You’ve got to add emotion into salon hairdressing whereas with shows, like runways or photoshoots, it’s all about treating hair like a material that needs moulding – but it’s also where creativity comes in handy. Think extravagant editorial-ready hair styles that could stop traffic but wouldn’t be ideal for a run to the market.

Above everything else, hairdressing, be it for shows or in the salon, is about embodying a persona and if Elie & Jean is anything to go by, that persona is reliable, trust-worthy and warm. www.ohlala-magazine.com 105

Diva Drives

The All New Maserati Levante Maserati has joinedthe fraywithinthe luxury SUV market and is already makingwaveswith its bold look aswell as its on-and-off road driving capabilities

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he only word to describe the Maserati label is, legendary.

With a 102 year history in car making, these fellows know how to put a premium automobile together and have consistently accomplished amazing engineering feats, year after year.

So why the big change of focus onto the SUV market? The answer is very simple. The people demand it. The luxury SUV segment boasts around 500,000 sales per year, a market which no established motor label can afford to ignore. But can the Lavante stand up to its competitors such as the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover Sport? We happily took the keys to see what this machine is made of.

On first sight, this five meter, 2.2 tonne beast has a bold presence. This places it in the 106 www.ohlala-magazine.com

same size category as the BMW X5 and the Range Rover, in fact, it is slightly larger. That being said, its sloping roofline and smooth bodylines prevent its presence from becoming too bulky. The boot also boasts 580litres of space, plenty for any road trip.

Once inside the car, it is obvious the extravagant interior is designed to impress.

Quality is another word synonymous with the Maserati label and the fine leathers and superior plastics are testament to this. There are bright leather colourings on offer and even a Zanga silk option available. 300kms of silk are used in every car with this trim.

It has been tested to offer the same level of durability as leather. The door trims, seat inlays and even roof lining are all included in this finish. Simply stunning.

A new entertainment system controlled by a novel rotary dial is an upgrade from the system found in the Quattroporte. Plenty of headspace and legroom in both the front and the back also removes any uncomfortability on any journey. The back easily seats three adults. USB points are another useful feature.

What about the performance, I hear you ask? Well, the Lavante is named after a warm wind which blows over the Mediterranean and this is representative of the smooth handling this SUV has to offer. With 275 break horse power, 600 newton meters of talk, acceleration is feisty, making good handling all the more important.

The size of this heavy vehicle is hidden in its decent turn of pace and smooth gripping on the corners. A nearly vibration free ride, with great breaking ability. With old-school hydraulic steering

and sound actuators in the exhaust, this beauty of a vehicle is sheer driving pleasure and what’s more, one can feel good about the fact they are only producing 189 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

Under the hood, this mechanical monster is powered by a petrol 600 V6, twin-turbo direct injection (GDI) engine.

Then there is the chassis, which is perfectly poised, complete with 50/50 weight distribution.

The makers at Maserati fit as standard a limited slip diff and the talk vectoring eases away at the breaks during hard cornering to help with intense turning. This car possesses the lowest sense of gravity in its segment.

We found the 4x4 system to be impressive.

During normal driving conditions, the vehicle shifts all power to the rear wheels and only shifts power to the front when required. This proved to be endless fun on windy roads.

In closing, this vehicle is a Maserati first and an SUV second and it drives like one would expect a Maserati should. With 5 air suspension modes, including two off-road options, it promises a proactive ride no matter what the terrain. As a powerful toy for the weekends or a tool for a busy mother, this latest offering from Maserati offers it all. We would certainly not kick one out of our garage!

For more information or to book a test drive contact Euro Motors: 17 730 730 www.ohlala-magazine.com 107

Jewellery Arabia Bahrain 2016 Jewellery Arabia 2016, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, was officially inaugurated under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

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Jewellery Arabia Bahrain 2016 The 25th exhibition in this prestigious annual series brought together over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries for a dazzling 5-day gala of glitz and glamour. Spanning 21,000sqm of exhibition space, a huge range of finished jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, clocks, fine writing instruments, accessories and more from around the globe was on sale

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Al Hawaj Launches Bentley Infinite Rush Perfume Al Hawaj, in partnership with Bentley Fragrances and Sprecher Berrier Group of Companies, launched the sensational, high-impact scent for today’s sophisticated and active man, the Bentley Infinite Rush White Edition.

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Al Hawaj Presents Iconic Salvador Dali Fragrances THE DALI FABULOUS COLLECTION, a luxurious symphony of gold and radiance that brings the magic of Salvador Dali to life through fabulous bottles and fragrances are available at Al Hawaj outlets all over Bahrain. Al Hawaj laid the red carpet for its prominent guest, Mr. Jean Pierre Grivory, President of Cofinluxe.

Perfumer M. Micallef Reintroduces Iconic Scent ‘20 Years’ Internationally acclaimed French perfumer and artist Ms. Martine Micallef from the House of M. Micallef is back to the Jewellery Arabia 2016 to reintroduce their highly prestigious “Les Exclusifs” perfume range in celebration of their 20th anniversary. The re-launch was held in partnership with Al Hawaj at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Center last month.

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Breitling’s Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition Luxury Swiss watchmaker and aviation chronograph specialist, Breitling officially launched its Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition in Bahrain during a special event at the Breitling Boutique Manama in Moda Mall.

Launched in collaboration with Breitling’s local retail partner, Yaquby Stores W.L.L., the new Chronomat 44 Blacksteel Special Edition features a black steel case, yellow dial, tried and trusted sturdiness and a high-performance Breitling Manufacture movement.

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Karl Lagerfeld’s First Store Opening The first Bahrain store for Karl Lagerfeld located at City Centre Bahrain opened last month with a super fun and stylish event.

The store offers Middle Eastern consumers a wide-ranging selection of accessories in the brand’s signature accessibleluxe style, from iconic bags and footwear to small leather goods.

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The All-New Mercedes-Benz Glc Coupe The German Business Network Reception was held in Bahrain under the patronage of H.E. Alfred SimmsProtz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany at La Plage, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Bahrain last month, where the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe officially launched. The event served as the launch of the latest Mercedes-Benz model to join Al Haddad Motors’ expansive Mercedes-Benz line-up and served as a networking platform for attendees.

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OF

/azayani.bahrain /ahmedzayani_bahrain www.ahmedzayani.com Showroom Timings: Sat - Thurs, 8am - 7pm

CALL NOW 17 238822

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Chef Shigeki Visits Bushido In an exclusive media event, Buddha Bar Japanese Executive Chef Shigeki IIMURA visited Bushido Restaurant & Lounge last month as part of the Nikkei Tour and hosted a cooking class and lunch.

We prepared a colourful spread of sashimi and then had a sitdown meal which saw even more unique creations grace the table.

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Wine & Dine at ART Rotana On a beautifully autumnal night we ventured out to Flames at ART Rotana in Amwaj for a Wine & Dine night. Featuring a sommelier from Torres Vineyards and a speciality menu showcasing their month-long ‘The Game’ promotion, we had a delicious time.

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La Dolce Vita A stunning customer appreciation event was held last month at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s La Plage bringing together the island’s elite, VIPs and media members under a starry night filled with fabulous fare, spirited chatter and feather boas!

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Feria Espanola Last month we experienced fantastic Spanish gastronomy prepared by Chef Jordi Gimeno for the opening of Feria Espanola where an international flamenco group, Las Duquelas, performed riveting dance numbers. Members of the media and VIPs were in attendance.

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Arteastiq at The Jawad Dome Last month we got involved in an intimate art jamming studio at The Jawad Dome where we got our creative juices flowing and whipped up personal pieces of art during the exclusive event.

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Oysho Yoga Oysho, City Centre Bahrain, hosted a three-hour ‘Free Yoga Day’ at the Westin Hotel last month. The event was instructed by a professional yoga teacher from ‘Namaste’. It aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing while showcasing their Autumn Winter 2016 gymwear collection.

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Italian Week The launch of Italian Week at Jawad Supermarket was held last month in the presence of the Italian Ambassador H.E. Domenico Bellato and Mr. Faisal Jawad, Chairman & CEO of Jawad Business Group and members of the media.

It was a food filled affair with lots of pasta, cheese, olives and a tremendous Italian flag cake.

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Spanish Gastronomy Festival The Spanish Gastronomic Week featuring Koldo Royo, a Michelin star chef from Spain joined us on the island in October at La Vinoteca Barcelona to share his vibrant cooking skills and all the fabulous fare that comes from his native land. It was a delicious affair and certainly got us thinking about taking a trip to Spain!

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Bushido’s Dia De Muertos Halloween Bahrain’s party crowd turned out in their best scary outfits for Bushido’s big Halloween bash, Dia de Muertos aka the Day of the Dead which Ohlala was the official sponsor for! The year’s most chilling time was spent in a night filled with Mexican influence.

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elitecrystalhotel ECrystalHotel

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Christmas Brunch @ The Lotus 25-Dec-16 | 12:30 onwards BD 12 ++ / person BD 5 ++ / child (6-12 yrs)

Christmas Tree Lighting 7-Dec-16 | 6:00 pm

Miss Ohlala

“It’s beginning

to look a lot like

Christmas. . .” sanna valentina and alexander for vanity fair italia december 2013

As the Christmas party season is nearly upon us, our Miss Ohlala gives us the low-down on how to make the best of a busy social calendar for the season ahead It’s the most wonderful time of the year for socialising with friends and family, but it can leave one feeling a bit lack-lustre come January, without prior preparation and planning.

My number one tip is to organise your party outfits in advance to avoid a last-minute panic. Sequins and sparkles are a must for Christmas, so leave your austere black outfits in the wardrobe. This year you will want to be pairing velvet OTN or knee high boots with shift dresses, and Brian Atwood or Sophia Webster Chiara winged sandals with evening dresses. Aquazzura Firenze’s velvet boots are the angel at the top of my wish list.

In terms of accessories, it is the one time of the year when chandelier earrings can never be too big or too sparkly. A faux fur stole or coat will keep you wonderfully warm for outdoor evening events and looks fabulous when nonchalantly thrown over a slinky evening gown. Procure yourself a clutch bag that looks like it wants to party the night away.

Every year I pull out my Anya Hindmarch snow globe clutch and I feel like I’m looking at the world through the eyes of a child as I give it a shake and watch it snow.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with mirror, chrome or glitter nails as this is the season to have fun! Treat yourself to diamante or pearl hair accessories from Lelet NY for a more modern, refreshing take on up-dos. The Lelet NY dash dot and calder pearl bobbi pins are my favourites.

If you have been wearing the same perfume for years, now is a good time to try out some new scents and find yourself one that can last the night.

My current obsession is the My Burberry fragrance, but perfume is a very personal thing.

Always take a well thought out gift to your hostess (or host). A gift for a girlfriend of a scented candle from Jo Malone will always be a treat.

Alternatively, a makeup palette by NARS (such as Bronzing Powder, Laguna) or Urban Decay (Naked eye shadow or Naked Flushed for cheeks) will surely be appreciated. Bubbles and chocolates are always acceptable, but please ensure they are of good calibre. Otherwise you may find that they are regifted back to you at a later date!

Remember to take some party snaps as mementos. Whilst iPhones 130 www.ohlala-magazine.com

may be great for selfies, I sorely miss the Polaroid days. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 camera is on my Christmas wish list. Please do however refrain from narcissistic tendencies of taking constant selfies rather than enjoying the party, as it can be thoroughly irritating for people around you.

The whirlwind of social gatherings can leave one feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, so plan your calendar carefully to build in some recovery time. A post-Christmas spa day is a must. Whilst I know it is never going to happen, I’m still dreaming of a white Christmas... “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” Happy holidays everyone!

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