Out and About Mag. Issue 1 Vol. 4 - Valentina Castellani, President of Quinn Studios Entertainment by Out and About Mag

Issue 1 Volume 4 Feb - Mar 22

THE

BEHIND THE BRAND WITH

GREATEST FASHION ICONS OF ALL TIME

DR SAYED ALI THE WHEELS THAT TURN THE MICHAEL CINCO BRAND

CO-FOUNDER OF MICHAEL CINCO HAUTE COUTURE

VALENTINA

CASTELLANI LEGACY, LIGHT, ACTION!

President and Chairman of Quinn Studios Entertainment

DESEO: SOUTH AMERICA IN THE HEART OF DUBAI

IRMA KHAN

A woman in STEM Global eCommerce Manager at Caterpillar Inc.

LIVING IN OUR NARRATIVE

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT POUT: THE RISE OF LIP FILLERS Out & About Magazine

Forget plan B. To test yourself and grow, you have to operate without a safety net. Arnold Schwarzenegger Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

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Editorial

Editor in chief

Marsha Fry

marsha@outandaboutmag.com

Editor

Anika Richards

info@outandaboutmag.com

art

Art director

nakul thanekar

nakul.thanekar89@gmail.com

advertising

sales & marketing sales@outandaboutmag.com

general enquiries hello@outandaboutmag.com

On this month's cover Interview: Valentina Castellani

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www.outandaboutmag.com

Styling: Valentina Castellani Location: Los Angeles, California Photographer: Nuria Domenech

Published by Out and About FZE (Registered at Fujairah Creative City)

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EDITOR’S WELCOME “ If you tiptoe into cold water, you’re missing out on the rush of plunging in headfirst.“

— Simone Elkeles,

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Return to Paradise

We understand fearing the unknown, second-guessing steps or, perhaps, being unwilling to take the plunge because that ever-present voice in the background keeps saying, “What if”. After all, we are humans, too. But, how about responding, “Why not”, every time that voice surfaces. Some of us are naturally cautious, always wanting to predict the outcome before even taking the first step. The drawback, however, is that we miss out on truly experiencing the moment. So, how about we stop tiptoeing and plunge headfirst into the “cold water”, enjoying the rush of it all? Let’s do it together! Even if the outcome is not one that’s desired, we would’ve learnt a lesson or two from it. As always, we at Out and About Magazine will be right there with you!

Features and Highlights In this issue, we bring you a double dose of inspiration with our Behind the Brand feature, sharing the stories of not one but two individuals making their marks in Dubai. Dr Sayed Ali, the Wheels that turn the Michael Cinco brand, talks about being an employee to founding a fashion brand, while Natalia Freys shares what has influenced her literal curation of PAPA Dubai. This issue is chock-full of inspiring stories. In Voices, Global eCommerce Manager at Caterpillar Inc Irma Khan drops some gems as a woman in STEM. Then, in our Talent Pool feature, president and chairman of Quinn Studios Entertainment Valentina Castellani talks filmmaking and working on “Polo”. In Fashion, we give you our picks of The 12 Greatest Fashion Icons of All Time and 5 Fashion Pieces Worth the Investment. We are cognizant of the ongoing Quest for the Perfect Pout so, in our Beauty section, we explore The Rise of Lip Fillers. For our Lifestyle features, we bring you 8 Feng Shui Tips to Welcome Love into the Bedroom and a thought-provoking piece, Choosing Contentment over Complacency: Could this be the key to

happiness?, that introspection.

will

definitely

trigger

some

Of course, there is more. Check out The Reality of Movies vs the Magic of Real Life; in Food, we look at Foods to Fight Acid Reflux and round-up the Lifestyle section with a Fitness feature on Exercises that improve your mood. In the section, Travel & Experiences, we are keeping you in the know about DESEO, the restaurant that gives you a piece of South America in the heart of Dubai, giving you the inside titbits for where UAE visitors can feast on the best of global cuisine in The World on your Plate, and detailing what an Escape to Mauritius could be like. In For the Culture, be sure to read Living in our Narrative and our Shelf Life pick is Whatcha Gonna Do With That Duck?: And other Provocations by Seth Godin. Don’t miss out on the rush of plunging in headfirst Just do it and enjoy the ride! Out and About Magazine, with the team that made this Edition possible, is always here to give you that needed nudge to be your greatest self while savouring every experience on this journey called life.

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CONTENTS Feb - Mar 2022

SECTION 1

7 BEHIND THE BRAND

• Dr Sayed Ali, the wheels that turn the Michael Cinco brand Co-founder of Michael Cinco Haute Couture

• Natalia Freys, curating the PAPA Dubai experience

SECTION 2

32 TALENT POOL •

Valentina Castellani: Legacy, light, action!

President and Chairman of Quinn Studios Entertainment

SECTION 3

42 VOICES •

Irma Khan, A woman in STEM, Global eCommerce Manager at Caterpillar Inc.

SECTION 4

SECTION 7

143 TRAVEL & EXPERIENCES

50 FASHION

• The 12 Greatest Fashion Icons of All Time

•

Deseo: South America in the heart of Dubai

•

The World on your Plate: UAE visitors feast on

•

Escape to Mauritius

the best of global cuisine

• 5 Fashion Pieces Worth the Investment

SECTION 8

158 FOR THE CULTURE

SECTION 5

108 BEAUTY

•

• The Quest for the Perfect Pout: The Rise of Lip Fillers

Living in our Narrative

SECTION 9

163 SHELF LIFE •

SECTION 6

116 LIFESTYLE

Whatcha Gonna Do With That Duck?: And other Provocations

• Choosing Contentment over Complacency: Could this be the key to happiness?

•

The Reality of Movies vs the Magic of Real Life

• 8 Feng Shui Tips to Welcome Love into the Bedroom

136 FOOD •

Foods to Fight Acid Reflux

139 FITNESS •

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Exercises that improve your mood

Out and About Magazine takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. The photographs in this publication are for illustration purposes, unless otherwise specified.

DR SAYED ALI

THE WHEELS THAT TURN THE MICHAEL CINCO BRAND CO-FOUNDER OF MICHAEL CINCO HAUTE COUTURE

Company MICHAEL CINCO HAUTE COUTURE

michael5inco

sayed5inco

www.michaelcinco.com Out & About Magazine

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Sayed Ali. I am an Egyptian. I came here in 1998 from Egypt and started my life in Dubai. Dubai in the UAE is one of the best cities I’ve lived and been to in the world. It’s a very safe city, and life is very easy here. In Dubai, you can find yourself, you can dream, and you can make your dream a reality. Before I started the business, I met Michael Cinco while we were both working in a company and in fashion. One day, we were at a fashion show in the Philippines, and we decided to start our new life and our own business. We discussed everything and decided Michael would focus more on design, and I would be on the managerial side. That’s what I love; I love management so much. We started our own business, and now I believe we are one of the best in the world.

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Creative Director: Khel Recuenco Photo: Rozen Antonio

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Creative Director: Khel Recuenco Photo: Rozen Antonio

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2. How did you get started in fashion? I was working in a company in a PRO role, and I saw the way Michael would start from sketching until I saw the finished version of the dress. Michael is a true talent, and he’s amazing when it comes to design. He never accepts anything other than number one; he’s really one of the best. 3. What is the role of fashion in society? Fashion allows you to express yourself. It allows you to show your reality, what you really feel and what you really like. 4. What is the biggest lesson you have learned since you started your entrepreneurial journey? How to find a way with the big challenge or big sacrifice, especially the world now, with COVID-19—that’s the big challenge and the big thing you can face in the market and in business. The one who has a strategy and a good vision will find a way to overcome this situation with COVID-19 and find a way. I know it’s very hard for all and that we wish it will be gone soon, but when it comes to business, you should find a way to deal with the situation. 5. Now in business, what kind of things have you done so far to kind of mediate that COVID pressure? When COVID started, Michael and I sat down and made a plan and a new strategy for the business. That plan was to cut our price, our costs because most of our work is for wedding dresses. Before COVID, weddings were huge and held in very big halls in hotels; now, weddings are being held in houses with only 10 or 15 people or only family members. So we do less work at less cost; we make a dress to keep the price within the constraints of COVID-19.

Creative Director: Khel Recuenco Photo: Rozen Antonio

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Photo: Bethoven Filomeno

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Photo: Bethoven Filomeno

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6. What’s the role of technology in your business? No one can live without technology right now. Before COVID-19, who knew we could make a fashion show live with the use of technology. Now we are doing it. Everyone has Instagram or a website; everyone has access to the technology. Technology is part of our life; we cannot live without technology right now. Also, we used to take three months to make our wedding dresses, and now we can make it in one month using technology; everything now is faster with the use of technology. 7. The fashion industry can be very demanding. How do you look after your mental health? Health is number one in life. If a man starts to exercise - do some sort of workout, cardio or jogging every day, for 30 to 45 minutes— he will avoid all the sickness or whatever in his body. Plus, you have to eat healthy food, everyone—fresh fruits, vegetables—they make you healthy. You also have to sleep well. When you sleep well and you eat healthy food, it gives you a better chance of avoiding illness. To help your mind, you have to read, read and read. Keep studying, that’s the mood of your brain. 8. What’s that one quote that you live by? You should have a strong heart and always challenge yourself. Don’t stop dreaming. When I started my business, we had 10 to 15 people, now we are a big company. I challenge myself. I am working hard with a brave heart. So you can be what you want to be.

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Creative Director: Khel Recuenco Photo: Rozen Antonio

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Photo: Bethoven Filomeno

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For more information and reservations, visit Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or call +971 4 453 0000.

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SAADIYAT ROTANA RESORT & VILLAS SAADIYAT ISLAND, ABU DHABI UNITED ARAB EMIRATES T: +971 2 697 0000 | F: +971 2 697 0123 Out & About Magazine

NATALIA FREYS

CURATING THE PAPA DUBAI EXPERIENCE Company PAPA DUBAI

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papadubaiofficial

www.papadubai.com

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1. Tell us about yourself and what brought you to the UAE. My family brought me here. My kids are in school here. And, having the first project, PAPA Moscow, that is growing and quite good, I couldn’t stop there. That’s why I decided to extend the name, extend the brand, and we opened PAPA Dubai here, which is our second project. 2. Tell us about the PAPA Dubai concept. It’s a copy and paste of the PAPA Moscow concept, except for the target audience. So, we have completely different people and expectations of the crowds that we’re inviting here, but the concept itself is based on the bar experiences. We have nine bars. Each bar is infused with only one liquor… for example, a whisky, rum, gin, and vodka bar. Each bar has from 10 to 12 signature cocktails and real mixology. We don’t mix syrups with alcohol; we produce all syrups or ingredients ourselves in our laboratory. I think the next step will be when we start showing our laboratories, how complicated it is, how many machines we have, how we produce, and how much time we spend growing some plants. Also, how particular ingredients work. All classic cocktails are served everywhere [at each bar], but each bar is based only on one liquor. So, for example, here is sake, the cocktails are based on sake. Each cocktail tells a completely different story, so it’s a legend… like the Bible of this bar. All the concepts are based on the same music, so each day we have a different concept of the evening—different DJs, different styles of music.

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The food is the same. I can’t say that it’s international, but it’s also like we have the touch of each region. So, for example, sake is from Japan, so we get some kind of Japanese cuisine; we have some Mexican, Italian. Actually, this is a very rich menu, and I’m quite confident in our chef from Peru. 3. How did you get started in business? Actually, I studied business administration, but I’m quite creative. And, I can’t sit in one place. I can’t sit with papers and numbers. So, I was always eager to create, to invent. I continued my education in the sphere of interior design, hospitality, and I later tried to combine all this knowledge to produce one more child, which has been to involve and devote myself to this business. I created the first restaurant in Moscow, it was a member’s club; and it was a very fantastic place, with beautiful design. So later, we opened PAPA Moscow, and now we came here, and I was very much involved in the design and detail, from the kitchen to staff hiring. 4. Who comes to PAPA Dubai? Celebrities are not my goal. I really want to bring the people who would enjoy and appreciate each detail on display because there isn’t anything that just came from nothing—each detail in this place took a lot of thought, time and people to create it. That’s why, for me, it’s very important that it’s people who could really appreciate this place, the sound systems, the colours, the different ways we combined everything in one place. So many different areas, but we tried to combine them in one place, and it still looks cosy and not overworked.

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5. What is the secret to your success? I actually can’t call it success so far because we’re just starting this project. And, honestly, it’s quite challenging here in Dubai. We still have so many quests. I really need so much help from partners, friends, and family... but I believe, of course, we will come to success at PAPA Dubai. So, actually, now I can’t say the secret, but you know that I think it’s my passion because I’m so devoted to this project. 24/7, my mind belongs to this project and ideas of how to create something meaningful, bring people, and make it more vibey. 6.What would you say is the most common misconception that you encounter in your business? I’ve met so many challenges with cocktails. We have around 80 cocktails, signature cocktails, and each cocktail requires separate preparation. So it doesn’t mean that, if we open at seven, staff can come at six to just change into their uniform. No way, they come at five, put plans into place, prepare the ingredients, prepare fresh syrups, fresh decorations. Also, it’s quite a complicated system of calculation because you can’t even imagine how many names of the liquors we have. We have a lot of bottles that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Each cocktail consists of a minimum of 10 ingredients. It is very complicated to bring it to the base, make the recipe, and control all the spirits. 7.Would you say there are certain traits that an entrepreneur has? I become bored with routine… So every day should differ from previous ones. And, even if I start to invent one idea, I’ve already thought about the next one. I’m always very creative, and I can’t sit in one place. I always need to communicate with people, to share ideas, and to see what’s going on in the city, the country, and the world. 24

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8. What are your thoughts on the current pace of digital transformation in your industry? We’re very advanced, so we have the best technologies. But, my personal wish is to bring some old things back, you know? I remember my new year celebrations when I got so many real emotions, real smells, and I really would like to move away from these technologies that work now and change our reality. I really would like to bring more emotions and for people to feel the ambience, to

feel their real smiles, not to always sit on their phones. I really would like to create an atmosphere that you don’t need to touch the phone. So you don’t exactly notice, but it’s like it covers you, and you want to come back to this place. This is what I want to create, like PAPA, that it becomes someone watching over you—it becomes family. You create a very friendly atmosphere— starting from the team, service, music—[so] they feel that they’re one tribe.

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9. What advice would you give to someone starting out in business? I think it’s always good to have support. One person can’t be a genius in every area. I’m quite creative, but, as far as the numbers and budgeting go, I have really experienced people who I really trust and who can calculate and bring me, sometimes, to reality as to how this business can work. I think we all should have some people who we trust; this is teamwork. If you go for a big business, and you try to create and compete with big machines in the city, you can’t rely only on yourself and overestimate your power.

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10. Any major lessons you’ve learnt along your entrepreneurial journey? Yes, I’ve had many lessons, but I can’t say that this has been any kind of disadvantage because I learned things never to be repeated. I trust people very quickly, rely on them, and believe in them. And, I met many people who didn’t deliver what they promised. But, honestly speaking, I wouldn’t change myself. I have learned from my experiences.

11. What inspires you? My friends inspire, my family inspire, once they believe in me. When they come to PAPA Dubai and they say, ‘Wow,’ it really inspires me, because I don’t do this business for money. Of course, this is a business, but I do it for my dream. And when I see that my dream came to reality, of course, it inspires me; and I really want to continue to create something new. 12. What’s next? Of course, I would continue with PAPA. I want PAPA to become popular, and by that, I mean popular worldwide. 13. How do you look after your mental health? I’m not the person who reads a lot, but I’m the person who takes all information by eyes, in by ears. I travel a lot; I’m fond of design, decor, fashion, and learn a lot during my travels. I enjoy attending exhibitions, from art to fashion, design, and furniture exhibitions. 14. If you were not doing PAPA and being an entrepreneur, what would you be doing? I think I would go somewhere to maybe do interior design because I already have experience in this area. 15. What’s that one quote you live by? Actually, I can’t say I have one. I just have very good standards and values from my family that guide me every day.

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Talent Pool

VALENTINA CASTELLANI

PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF QUINN STUDIOS ENTERTAINMENT

LEGACY, LIGHT AND ACTION

Company QUINN STUDIOS ENTERTAINMENT valentinaquinnstudios

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valentina.castellaniquinn

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1. Tell us a bit about yourself, including your early background. I am Italian. I was born from an ancient family in Florence, Tuscany, and I come from a cinema background. My grandfather Riccardo Castellani was the president of the company that has all the distribution of international cinema in Europe. He was also a producer; he co-financed some of the Fellini films, and all those kinds of films of the golden era of Italian cinema. On top of that, we owned some theatres for two centuries, like the theatre of Verdi in Florence. So I grew up with that amazing background, growing up behind the stage and looking at opera theatres, plays, dancers, ballet, classical music, and I’ve realised the enormous treasure of that childhood. 2. How did you get started in film production? Of course, because of the family, I have always revolved a little bit around entertainment, creativity and all its different forms. But I was with Francesco Quinn—the son of Anthony Quinn and my soulmate for quite a long time—and he was an Academy Award-nominated actor, and we started to do something together, in terms of production; he was starting directing and stuff. Unfortunately, 10 years ago, he died suddenly of a heart attack in front of our kids while playing with them, so very unexpected and brutal, especially for them; they were nine and 11 years old. So at an age where you don’t even understand what death is about, forget about life, so for me, it was of paramount importance to transform this very tragic experience into something beautiful or to give a meaningful key for them to transform this experience. That’s how Quinn Studios Entertainment started. I proposed to do a TV series about cycling because that was the sport he loved the most; and so we started. My experience in production was very minimal but, of course, I was always surrounded by ‘movie people’... and we put together a format we started shooting. In a month, I created Quinn Studios Entertainment and 10 years later, nowadays, I can say we had several films that were candidates for Academy Awards, Golden Globe, they were award-winning projects that sold globally. So, as I always say, like in Harry Potter, they say it’s the ones that choose the wizard and not vice versa. Somehow these professions chose me, and I can only be as humble to accept it and do it at my best. I took it as a tool to express and address some of the most important issues, more urgent issues that we have nowadays, doing documentaries or films that had a meaningful message inside.

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3. Tell us about the feature film “Polo”, the inspiration and the message. I signed the beautiful and first-time partnership between our studios and His Royal Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi’s royal office. This partnership is, historically, the first official one between a Hollywood studio and the royal family in the Emirates. So I’m particularly proud; we are working together in producing films, documentaries and TV series. The first film that I proposed to them is a beautiful true story, very inspirational. It’s an American story of a group of teenagers from a very unprivileged background of the suburbia of an American city that finds redemption and inspiration through the sport of polo. Since polo is basically one of the national sports in the Emirates, I thought this was a great combination to start our partnership together. The film is produced by Quinn Studios Entertainment in Los Angeles, the Royal Private Office of the Al Qassimi family, then a party is produced by Nereides Group in Paris, and we do have the Monte Carlo Polo Federation that is taking care of the technical part on set, when the kids are playing polo. So quite an international team, and many more to come. One of the most beautiful parts of this project is the educational part, because first of all, we’re talking about real kids that in real life they are from all ethnicities because, as you know, in any suburbia by now, of big American or Emirati city… we are

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all international; we all speak with an accent. In the suburbia, where the people have just arrived and kind of melted together... in the sense that they’re not necessarily friends, as you know, they usually tend to stick with their own ethnicity, with their own people, and feel very defensive... And one of the points of the film and the real story is that these polo teams put these kids together: females, males, boys, girls, ethnicities, nationalities, languages. These kids... were basically very resentful, very defensive to one another… they find themselves to find strength in being one and participating as a team, instead of as an individual. So, it carries an enormous meaning, and meaningful messages in terms of unity through diversity. And, I loved the story for that. One of those kids is now a world champion in polo. So it’s quite extraordinary where these teams went through the story, the real story, as well as the film. And the film shoots in the States and the Emirates, because we will see these kids travelling to the Emirates, invited by the Sheikh, to play there. I won’t say more, because otherwise, I will spoil the story. We are counting to start shooting in 2022, and releasing the film by the end of 2023, which is usually the timing that it takes to film a film. So we will use local actors in the Emirates as well as American stars and international kids.

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4. You are currently behind the camera, any plans to be back in front of it? Well, I love where I am. When you are behind, you’re a great observer of life. And, being an observer of life, you learn a lot, and you’re capable of transforming and envisioning reality with a different view. In front of the camera, but in a different format, so to say, I’m not interested in being an actress. I think there are some extraordinary colleagues of mine that are actresses nowadays in Hollywood and all over the world, but as a spokesperson, that is a role that I found myself often in, and I spoke to many congresses lately in Dubai for Dubai Cares, and many other international organisations. That I like, because it’s a possibility that is given to me to speak about causes that I care for. So in that sense, of course, my preparation as an actress before, made sense because I feel very comfortable with the camera. And, hopefully, I’m well-spoken, casual enough to be able to be personal. And so in that sense, of course, the camera, in front, is a friend of mine right now; [it] is accompanying my life through quite an interesting journey. 5. What is your proudest career moment so far? I think that one of the most beautiful moments was when I spoke at the US Congress, and I received the US Congress award for a documentary, ‘One Rock Three Religions’, which

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is on Amazon. That we produced together about peace in the Middle East, and it was a very challenging subject to face, and to face it in a neutral way, where we could hear the voices of all sides. It started from the temple mountain in Israel, and went through a journey about world peace in the end, because peace in the Middle East is so connected nowadays, everything is connected, and it’s about world peace. We filmed with Pope Francis, with President Shimon Peres, President Mahmoud Abbas, ambassadors, and on and on; we shot in Gaza, under the shootings, and on and on. And, finally, to be in that room, there is the US Congress, and screen this documentary, and see the effect that such a documentary can do even to congressmen. And, as a result, to see that two new bills of rights were created in the protection of the minorities in the Middle East, because of the influence of this documentary, now, that is such a goal because it’s not just about making a film, but actually using filmmaking to change and shift reality for the better, at least for some stewards of society. So that was a very exciting moment for myself.

6. What inspires you? Life and people, I think we forget the value of each other as human beings. We take each other for granted. And, I find such value in the people I need, really, and just giving a little piece of myself because, as soon as you give, you open up and are more genuine, you are reciprocated in a much bigger way. And, I think my biggest inspiration is really people, and what they go through in life and how they unfold their lives, you know? How they overcome their problems, their desperation, their challenges. 7. If you were not producing films, what would you be doing? I like what I do... I’m sure that production would find me. But I am a storyteller, so I probably would choose to write, or to paint. I actually have a master’s degree in design and fine arts, and so I started to paint very early on in my life. So creativity always found me in different forms in my life, and I think I would be sticking with that. That’s my best scenario. 8. What are your thoughts on “women empowerment”? Do you think women need to be empowered and if yes, why? I think it’s been a topic for quite a while, women empowerment… but never like nowadays. It’s important because the world is shifting and [it’s] more than empowerment, I would just say [it’s] education, because education is empowerment. It’s not about control, or power or money, or position per se, as much as [it’s about] education. Once a person is educated, a person understands, and within understanding is always the key for transforming, for shifting, for including, and the capability of seeing things from a different point of view, and possibly, from a more panoramic point of view that can allow us to see a bigger vision of life, of a topic, of the way to change things in a difficult moment. Like nowadays we’re living through a very difficult moment, but if we are educated enough, we can see the key through many different lenses. So definitely…education is beyond important everywhere in the world. I mean, I am a very

feminine woman. I come from a very traditional society in Italy, originally, although I… [spent] more of my life here in the States, but I still have those kinds of values and I try to innovate, but information education never stops. Even now, as adults, I think women should always find a way to continuously educate themselves and, thank God, the world right now is recognising women’s value in society and is rewarding them more and more. One of them is the Women Empowerment Award, which I will be part of in February in Dubai. It’s a wonderful initiative. I think that is rewarding many exceptional women from all walks of life, who devoted their time to education, to ameliorating themselves, and, more than anything, setting a standard of leadership in their fields around the world. 9. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the entertainment industry? Be humble. Be patient. There are many people that come, even at my door, and they start, ‘Oh, I’ve done this, I’ve done that, I have a resume, I have done 500 films.’ But in the end, I mean, what I know about filming, and how I got at times through a nomination for an Academy Award is just by sticking one foot in front of the other. And I will never dare to say that I know everything, and I’ve done so many films. So humility and patience is very rewarding. In this business, a little bit in everything, but humility, and patience allow us to become better in what we are. And this is a business that requires a lot of it. You know, there are amazing filmmakers who are very accomplished. So no matter where you are, even in front of an Oscar nomination, you have enough amazing Oscar winners, actors, directors, filmmakers, producers, writers. Let’s remember that this is a craft that is so kaleidoscopic. A film is about a whole team of people, with each one doing a craft that is then put together as a puzzle. And you win as a puzzle. So patience, humility, and the capability of working together in maximum ethics and respect, those are the things that I would suggest to a young filmmaker.

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10. You are writing a movie about yourself, what would you call it? Well, hopefully, the book of my life is just halfway, so there are so many chapters still to go through. And, hopefully, they’re joyful... But I would probably call it, ‘Keep it and do it from the heart’. Because, in the end, you know no money, businesses, titles; people suffocate themselves behind big titles that mean absolutely nothing. The only thing that really makes the difference, and it did for me, and when I say these things I speak about myself too because many times we, we all get a little bit blurred up in reality of what really matters. Keep doing it from the heart makes the difference, no matter where we are, no matter where the money situation is, the business situation is, the project of film, a script, everything will sail and fly off, only take off only if it is done from the heart. This is what I’ve seen. So I would call it that way. And not just for business, but also for my personal life.

But I think keeping my discipline of everyday life good; I do a lot of sports and that helps me a lot. So to keep it clear, to unload all the stress, I try to go to bed early and wake up early. Waking up early gives you a great perspective through the day, it changes fully the way you’re looking at your day, especially when you have to either sign a contract, make decisions, or have an interview. It really does put everything in perspective. And, be open, because many times we think, ‘Okay, now I know what’s the plan. Now, I know this, I’m in control’. And that’s a very good thing to have, at least as a structure, you always have to have a little bit of a foundation but at the same time, the best stuff in my life, I think they came from openness and from nowhere— where I completely didn’t expect something to happen or somebody to show up in my life and change a situation completely. So openness is really a great way.

When I do things from the heart, and I feel them in my heart, I never go wrong. So if I can keep the capability of staying open, not being afraid… and keep doing it from the heart, I guarantee myself and anybody else that we learned, and we learned good.

12. What’s the one quote that you live by? Well, what I always say is that I define a leader as someone who owns the full trajectory of his life. Someone that can embrace falling and transform it into flying. And I always say I am committed to doing that. So I would think that that’s my best quote.

11. How are you looking after your mental health? My mother-daughter relationship definitely helps me a lot. As women, we have the fantastic option of being back on the ground: you are a mother, you have your daughter as a mirror, always; that gives you a good measure of where you are.

The film “Polo” is produced by Quinn Studios Entertainment in Hollywood, with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al Qassimi The Royal Private Office: Chairman Tomasz Zaleski and CEO Salma Abdul Aziz, and Nereides Group, in collaboration with the Monte-Carlo Polo Federation, for the sport consultancy.

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VOICES

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THE VOICE OF

IRMA KHAN A Woman in STEM

Company CATERPILLAR INC caterpillarinc

caterpillar-inc

www.caterpillar.com

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1. Tell us about yourself and what brought you to the UAE. The Middle East region has always been special to me. I grew up in the United States, but my father was based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. So, while growing up in the States, I still visited the Middle East. I’ve had quite an affinity to the region.

responsibility to pursue our potential. I really believe in that principle.

And, when I went back to the States for engineering school, I always had a dream of coming back to the region and working as an adult. That dream came to fruition when I was offered and accepted the position to be the distribution manager of our company for the Middle East, based here in Dubai.

That’s another driving force that I have, especially in my adult life: a vision to see each and every single woman be financially independent. I think that is just so crucial and important for society and for us to make progress together, moving forward.

2. Take us through your career journey. So, as I mentioned, I went to the States for engineering school, and I joined Caterpillar directly upon graduation—first as an intern, and then as a management trainee. And from there, I had a lot of special and exciting assignments with Caterpillar, mostly in the field in Seattle, and in Toronto, where I learned a lot about our distribution network and about our customers, businesses. Then I headed back to Illinois, and, at that time, the world of data science and analytics was exploding onto the scene. So I had an opportunity to do a lot of learning and pursue leadership opportunities there, until the time that the Middle East came knocking. Then I moved to Dubai and have had several positions here, including now in my role in e-commerce. 3. What has been your driving force? I think that is such an interesting and special question. Actually, many things inspire me, and I’m inspired by many people. But really, I have a personal belief that each of us, as human beings, have a

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Everything that I do for my family, for my career, for my community, I’m doing it in pursuit of my own potential, and I’m also doing it to be a role model for others, especially a role model for other women.

And I guess a driving force a little bit closer to my heart would be my family and particularly my father, I do things, keeping in mind, if this would make my father proud. 4. What’s the most exciting thing about your job at Caterpillar Inc? Definitely all of the people and all of the places; it is such a rich and rewarding experience. But I often get asked the question: why did you stick to corporate life, why not go into entrepreneurship? And here’s the fact of the matter, at large multinationals such as Caterpillar, I’ve had the opportunity to be a bit of an intrapreneur. So to be an entrepreneur within the organisation, I run my area of responsibility as if it’s my own business. I’m that dedicated that I have the flexibility to make my own decisions, I’m empowered. And then I can also pursue my passion for gender advocacy. As an example, here in Dubai, I established the chapter for the women’s initiative network. And since that time, I’ve launched several significant initiatives that help the advancement of women in our company. It’s really an exciting place to be.

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5. Any major lessons you’ve learnt along your career journey? In terms of pursuing a career, which may last 20/30 years, the most important thing for everybody to understand is that if it’s not your passion, if you’re not enjoying it, boy, is it going to be a long day for you. Not every single day is perfect, there is a good in the bad. But, overall, you have to be enjoying what you do. You have to be doing it with a sense of intention and purpose. You have to be passionate about it. And I think that one of the most important lessons is to pivot, where you see an opportunity, where you might be even more passionate about something. And keep trying new things until you find what it is that really drives you, so that work is not work. 6. Increasing gender diversity and encouraging women into the STEM sector has been a topic for years, yet women remain largely under-represented in STEM-focused roles. Why do you think this is so? Oh, this is a topic that’s been studied to quite some length. It’s a complex issue, and the reasons for why women are underrepresented in STEM are many, and again, complex. It could be due to cultural reasons, educational reasons, socio-economic reasons, occupational reasons. But what we do know is that STEM is stereotyped as a masculine field. And so many women feel that they don’t belong in this field. This causes a bit of insecurity, and has created what we call the confidence gap—the sense of insecurity of being in this field. And, as a result, not many women pursue it. Also, we don’t have so many role models in this field; so really, it’s a vicious cycle that is happening. Those are some of the factors that are leading to the low representation of women in STEM. 7. How do you think we can get more women into STEM? This has also been a topic that’s been studied extensively, and one thing that keeps on coming up, along with all of the, ‘We need more role models; we need to encourage women to participate in the workforce’... is that we need to start early. We need to start early, as young as grade school, and make sure STEM is represented as an attractive opportunity that is gender-balanced; the question of gender doesn’t enter into it, and that needs to happen very early on. That is what will address the root cause and stop that cycle from happening.

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8. What advice would you pass on to other women to help them progress in this industry? I think if a woman wants to be in the STEM field, that’s very exciting and great news. But I would tell them to be prepared and to be comfortable with being the first, to be prepared and to be comfortable with being the only woman in the room, oftentimes. So if that’s something that excites women, I think STEM is, indeed, a good career path for them. But if women in the industry want to make progress in this industry, I think being comfortable with being a trailblazer, because we are still trailblazers is what’s required, even in today’s world. 9. What do you do when you’re in a room dominated by men? I really believe in being an authentic leader, so I am myself; I believe in diversity and inclusion. Caterpillar is working really hard, as are other organisations around the world, to build diverse teams. And I really believe that we cannot leverage the power of diversity until each of us brings our true selves to the table—that’s really where inclusion comes in, as well. As a leader, and again, sometimes as the only female leader at the table, I play the role of being an inclusive leader, and making sure that I feel that everybody belongs. For women who find themselves as the only woman at the table, I think being authentic and bringing the unique qualities 48

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that make up you—you’re there for a reason—is really important. And again, it’s the only sustainable path in a long career. Otherwise, if you try to be somebody else, you’ll be quite tired, really soon. 10. How do you look after your mental health? I have really strong foundations in family and faith. That is the support network that I need to get me through almost anything that comes my way. On a more daily basis, I journal; I write everything down. I like writing, it helps me to process and organise my thoughts; and, most importantly, for my mental health, it’s a good release to let go of something that might have happened, and also reflect on the positives as well, that would have happened over the course of time. I really think journaling is a positive step that somebody can try for their mental health. It certainly helped me through this pandemic, especially. 11. What’s that one quote you live by? There’s a quote which I aspire to live by and it is by a very famous African American poet, Maya Angelou, whom I’ve never, unfortunately, met but love dearly through her words, through her writing. This special quote of hers that I aspire to is when you meet people, the people will quite often forget what it is that you said. They will forget what it is that you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

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Jumeirah 3 - Villa number 476 - Dubai 04 394 8666 hazarhautecouture hazarhautecouture hazarfashion.com

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Fashion

THE 12 GREATEST FASHION ICONS OF ALL TIME Fashion trends come and go, but some timeless figures remain, as their style and legacy continue to dominate the runway and the fashion world, no matter the decade. They are icons, really! So, who are the greatest fashion icons of all time? For our picks, we’re featuring the most influential men and women of fashion throughout history. Ready? Let’s get right to it. Who is a fashion icon? A fashion icon is an influential person who introduces new styles and often dares to challenge the norm or standard of fashion. Icons have become a part of fashion; their styles are embraced and adopted by many people. These fashion influencers can be personalities from across different industries, like sports, politics, and entertainment.

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PRINCESS DIANA One of the best-dressed women in history is Diana, Princess of Wales. From her pie-crust blouses and pastel ruffles to her body-con velvets and decorated gowns, Diana’s fashion is timeless. Afterall, she is one of the most photographed women in the world. She communicated through her style and the different clothing that she wore throughout history. The princess was known for her colourful and cheerful clothes, which, according to fashion experts, revealed her warm and approachable personality. For the Princess of Wales, her fashion style and clothing were next to her work and presence, making her a real-life icon holistically. If you want to check out her personal belongings and most memorable artefacts and understand her fashion sense and lifestyle, visit the Princess Diana Museum. Out & About Magazine

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RIHANNA Rihanna remains an influential fashion icon that even international brands recognise. Did you know that her partnership with PUMA led to a 40 per cent increase in US sales of the brand’s sneakers for women? Rihanna is a powerhouse of fashion and style, consistently turning heads at New York and Paris fashion weeks and other important fashion events. When it comes to style, she’s known for making her own mark. She never holds back and proudly flaunts her boldest looks anywhere. And, she can make anything work, no matter what. She is a trendsetter, whether it’s hair or makeup. Rihanna is definitely a major fashion influencer who always brings her A-game.

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AUDREY HEPBURN What comes to mind when you hear the name Audrey Hepburn? Tiffany and Co., perhaps? Or maybe fashion and style? After meeting Hubert de Givenchy in the early 1950s, she began embracing clothing. Her slender, delicate frame made her the ideal model for haute couture collections. Hepburn was charming, beautiful and every dress fit her perfectly, irrespective of the style.

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HARRY STYLES A modern-day fashion icon is former boy band member Harry Styles. No matter what he wears, he carries it amazingly. Lately, he’s been the talk of the town for his Harris Reed dress that broke style standards for men. Styles is never afraid of stepping outside the box when it comes to fashion. Also, many thanks to the man behind his superstar looks and Gucci-clad styles—his stylist Harry Lambert—for ensuring he never disappoints. So, besides his charm and amazing talent, Harry Styles’ extraordinary fashion style also makes him an icon. Out & About Magazine

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BILLY PORTER Billy Porter marches to the beat of his own drum, ignoring the noise around him and not following any clothing trends. He’s one fashion icon who never fails to deliver when it comes to staying true to himself. Porter’s style is very different from anyone else’s because he dares to bend ‘social standards’ and use clothing to create his space, just the way he likes it.

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JACKIE KENNEDY Jackie Kennedy made a name for herself in the fashion industry, even before she became the First Lady in the White House. She’s known for her classic turtlenecks and collegiate fashion style, which changed as her style evolved. Chanel suits, Gucci’s classic Jackie bag, pillbox hats, among other fine pieces, replaced her simple but classic attire. Fashion experts are particularly amazed by her 1970s attire when she switched to more free-flowing fashion, like oversized sunglasses.

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DAVID BOWIE Who wouldn’t recognise this man with his changing personas, which, according to him, helped him become more confident? One of the most memorable personas he portrayed was, perhaps, Ziggy Stardust. Remember his red-dyed hair and colourful clothing? Many of these exciting creations were by Kansai Yamamoto, who was also behind Bowie’s iconic outfits and costumes worn during photoshoots and while onstage. His memorable styles also included elaborate costumes and makeup, which helped him create different characters, including Pierrot (the clown). In the 1990s, Bowie shifted focus and went for an elegant clothing style, wearing double-breasted and floor-sweeping jackets. He was also one of the first to wear the cropped trousers of Thorn Browne. Out & About Magazine

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CHER A fashion icon in her own league, some of Cher’s most memorable styles are still iconic today. Having been around since the 1960s, she’s an excellent performer on stage and is loved for her bold, unique, creative, and risky fashion style.

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MADONNA Madonna, the Queen of Pop and the Mother of Reinvention, is definitely among our picks. For decades, she’s been making fashion statements and unforgettable fashion moments. Remember that Boy Toy belt and lace wedding dress? Since she started her career in the 80s, her overall look and fashion sense has contributed to her fame! By 1983, she introduced her signature look to the world alongside her debut album. Her style defined fashion in that era; layered necklaces, crucifixes, you name it! She’s never afraid of reinventing herself and fashion as her music evolves. Truly, Madonna is one of the most influential fashion icons of all time.

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GRACE JONES She’s a favourite among designers who want their fashion to represent fearlessness, sex appeal, androgyny, and more. There are only a few artists who can compete with this Jamaican-born culture and fashion icon. Remember that time she posed for the cover of her 1981 album wearing a sharpshouldered suit? She has a legacy and is also popular on runways. She reminds the world that she’s not only a reference in notes about collections but also one of the most indemand muses in the history of fashion.

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ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY The man is unlike anyone else in terms of fashion sense and style, which is worth the admiration of his followers. He made freeflowing kaftans and oversized puffer jackets his own. After all, he was not only a fashion icon but also an expert. In fact, for a long time, he was the right-hand of Anna Wintour.

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TWIGGY She defined the 60s fashion like no other. Her ideal silhouette and long legs made her the icon of mod style and the miniskirts of Mary Quant, among others. Her influence continued into the 1970s when she used silhouettes to highlight her features, and the rest is history. Fashion for these icons is timeless, fearless, and out-of-this-world and is shaped by their evolution as artists and individuals. Nevertheless, these fashion icons are worth being anyone’s style inspiration.

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FASHION PIECES WORTH THE INVESTMENT With many now in spring-cleaning mode, what better time to take a second look at that wardrobe and add a few essentials or get rid of a few things? Don’t worry, there are some timeless fashion pieces that get better with age and are worth the investment. With these fashion gems, you are bound to repeatedly get added returns. If you truly appreciate the value of fashionable pieces, check out these five items that are definitely worth the investment:

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A GUCCI SILK SCARF

Very few things can add a touch of sophistication to just about any outfit as a silk scarf can. Whether it is wrapped around your neck, hanging from your sloping shoulder, or being worn as a wrist wrap or bag accent, this is a timeless wardrobe staple that can make any look avant-garde. Though the Gucci silk scarf might be pricier than other scarfs, its versatility will ensure you get your money’s worth many times over.

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BURBERRY ESPADRILLES

These may run you over AED 2 000, but not many options combine comfort, flexibility and style in one pair of footwear. From running errands on a busy day to polishing off the casual elegant look, the shoe gives the wearer options. To some, the Burberry Espadrilles is like walking on a bed of clouds, and so, we dare say, it is worth the investment.

AN OPEN-CUFF CARTIER LOVE BANGLE

One of the world’s oldest jewellers, Cartier has long been the brand of choice for royals and celebrities. Its collection of watches, earrings and bracelets are sought after, but nothing says, ‘I love you like its sparkling gold, open-cuff bangle hanging from someone’s wrist. This piece is a must-have and will cost you between AED 18 000 and 42 000, but remember, it has the potential to dazzle for years to come.

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A CHANEL BAG

Chanel has long been a go-to brand for women, and its collection of bags is well-loved. Although the style first appeared on the scene decades ago, it has remained à la mode. The starting price for a genuine Chanel Bag is about AED 2 000.

HERMÈS BIRKIN BAG An iconic statement piece, Birkin bags are the epitome of status and elegance. They are highly coveted, and ownership brings with it a sense of prestige that makes the price inconsequential to many.

Though it’s been nearly 40 years since the Birkin’s debut, they are still elusive and well sought after. The prices are constantly increasing, and it may require a little legwork to get your hands on one of them, but the value over time makes it worth it. These five fashion pieces, though costly at the outset, will continuously reward you with their timelessness and versatility. Investing in them is akin to investing in yourself, so make it count!

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PINK Models: Renata Hamikus Boro Sotonyi Maria John Laura Sipos Hair: Renato Micura Makeup Team Liv Rideg Giulia Matta Szilvia Csöppüs Anita Agoston Cr. Director Liv Rideg Styling: Braz Noemi - Noen Design Headpiece: Millasonjacouture Designers Szilvia Szerezlay Charlotte Rose Photography Jozsef Balogh Technical assistant Pal Szabo Videography Toth Laszlo Rudolf Location: Studio Madison, Budapest

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Beauty

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT POUT: THE RISE OF LIP FILLERS It’s the topic on everyone’s lips: lip fillers. Once a procedure done by those in the higher echelons of society, it is now a mainstream beauty trend. Cosmetic procedures date back to 800 BCE in India, where excess skin on the forehead was used to reconstruct an amputated nose. Modern cosmetic procedures, as they are known today, began in the 1950’s with greater focus on aesthetics rather than medical necessity. Even then, such procedures weren’t so commonplace.

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Over the decades, elective cosmetic surgeries gained popularity through a variety of means, including the influence of media personalities and the proposed health benefits. In 2019, the global lip augmentation market size was valued at US$2.2 billion and has only soared since. So what’s the appeal with this quest for an augmented pair of kissers? Read on for an origin story and the reality behind lip fillers.

Background on lip fillers Lip augmentation is a cosmetic procedure in which lips, or the area around the mouth, are made fuller through an injectable dermal filler. Lip fillers began as reconstructive surgery in the 1800s, and fat was the dermal filler of the time. Nowadays, there are many types of dermal fillers, namely collagen and fillers containing hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced by the body and traps moisture, which adds volume, structure and shape to the lips. This acid is in many of the fillers on the market, including Juvederm, HylaForm and Prevelle Silk. These fillers last for six months, after which more injections are needed to retain the plump look. Although lip augmentation has been popularised as a procedure for women, men getting lip fillers has increased by 400 per cent since 2000. It’s no wonder that there were 2.8 million dermal fillers injected in 2018. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 27,000 lip augmentation procedures are performed in a year, which translates to a lip procedure being done every 20 minutes! Why are lip fillers so popular? North America and Europe currently hold more than 50 per cent of the market for lip augmentation, with Asia Pacific maintaining a sizable share. Brazil and the UAE are notable mentions, more so the UAE, which boasts more cosmetic surgeons per capita than the USA and Brazil. Dubai has also recently been dubbed “The new Beverly Hills of the Middle East”, with 50 surgeons for a million people and enticing prices ranging from Dh150 to 200 for dermal fillers.

The affordability and accessibility of surgeons have established Dubai as one of the top destinations for medical tourism, with more than 600,000 medical tourists, raking in Dh12 billion annually. Even though affordability and accessibility are more apparent factors behind the popularity of lip fillers, they go hand-in-hand with broader influences such as social attitudes and the advent of social media. In the world of cosmetic surgery, beauty correlates with physical and mental health. The need for lip augmentation usually stems from an aesthetic need to soothe a physical or mental ailment. Macrene Alexiades is a cosmetic dermatologist based in New York, who recounted having a young patient whose lip was too thin to the point where she could foretell the child would have problems in speech development and tone. In that case, lip fillers would restore normality to their speech development and improve the appearance of their lips. Lips come in all shapes and sizes, making them prone to asymmetry. Lip fillers can help correct the imbalance for a more appealing set of chops. Social media has helped to cultivate a culture around cosmetic surgery. It has become the norm to be scrolling through a social media platform and come across videos of men and women getting lip fillers as well as influencer posts promoting discounts for cosmetic procedures. Contrary to popular belief, however, the plump and plush pout donned by social media influencers and tv personalities isn’t what most patients go for, as doctors report a high request for a more subtle lip job.

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Lip procedures from start to finish For the average patient, there’s a lot that goes into getting lip fillers. Here is the process uncovered: 1. Preparation Doctors across the board strongly discourage the consumption of alcohol, blood thinners, dietary supplements, or smoking a week before getting fillers. This is because they soften the blood, which can cause greater swelling and bruising. 2. Setting realistic expectations “I want to look like *insert celebrity name*.” This statement tends to be the bane of doctors who perform cosmetic procedures. While it’s normal for celebrities to be an inspiration, doctors prefer a description of a desired result over an image fresh off social media. After all, each set of lips is unique and may not turn out the same as the said celebrity. 3. Assess the options Filler can help achieve any look: distinct, subtle or somewhere in-between. It’s all about choosing the right one. Juvederm is best for a youthful and plumped-up look, and Restylane fillers, due to their smaller particles, are best for a subtle look. 4. Beware of the price This depends on location. A medical tourism destination like the UAE or Thailand would have more affordable pricing for procedures with exceptional results. However, a syringe of lip filler is only about a teaspoon, and since they need to be re-

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injected every six months, accessibility is another factor to keep in mind. 5. Splitting it up Some doctors can give the option of splitting up the filler between certain amounts of time. At the initial appointment, a small dosage can be injected for the patient to get a feel of their new look, and if they aren’t satisfied they can return for the rest of their filler. 6. Some notes on bruising Bruising is usually minimal, but it really depends on the patient. Doctors will apply an ice pack after the procedure and will recommend patients not take any aspirin, limit their alcohol intake and stay upright for a few hours after the procedure. One thing to note is that hyaluronic acid does contain lidocaine, which is an anaesthetic that can leave the lips numb for some time after the procedure. 7. Unhappy with results? If hyaluronic fillers weren’t impressive enough, get this, they can be dissolved! A simple injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that dissolves the acid, will have it melted with immediate effect. Lip fillers: not so elusive after all Lip fillers have had an interesting reputation in the public domain, often conflated with the exaggerated pillowy pouts displayed across media or elevated as the solution to meet a standard of beauty. Hopefully, it’s been disclosed that this procedure lies comfortably in-between beauty and well-being for all.

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PARTY GLAM Model: Renata Hamikus Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Hair and Makeup: Liv Rideg Assistant: Pal Sabo Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary 114

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BOLD GLAM Model: Renata Hamikus Photo: Jozsef Balogh Retouch: Anna Petrova Makeup: Liv Rideg Location: Studio Madison, Budapest, Hungary Out & About Magazine

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Lifestyle

CHOOSING CONTENTMENT OVER COMPLACENCY: COULD THIS BE THE KEY TO HAPPINESS? Recently, I have found myself contemplating happiness and what it means to be truly happy. The society we live in tends to want to dictate what happiness should look like. We are told that happiness is attached to things and status. If I ask where true happiness comes from, everyone will tell me that true happiness comes from within, but how many of us really believe what we are saying? If we believe that true happiness comes from within, then why are we really killing ourselves to get the bigger and better version of what we or someone else has? A 2018 study from Purdue University using data from the Gallup World Poll found that the ideal income point

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for individuals is US$95,000 for life satisfaction and US$60,000 to US$75,000 for emotional well-being. When people earned more than US$105,000, their happiness levels decreased. If this study is true, then many people are actually harming themselves and putting their happiness at risk by going after more. This led me to start thinking about contentment and what it means. Collins Dictionary defines contentment as a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction. The word quiet struck me. Then I started to ponder on the word satisfaction. How many of us know when to say, ‘That is enough, I am satisfied with what I have,’ or are we programmed to continue to want more, no matter how much we have?

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Contentment vs complacency I then began to think about contentment versus complacency. Can you be content and not become complacent? I went back to the Collins dictionary to find a definition for the word complacent and this is what I found: ‘A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous’. Unfortunately, many people mix the two concepts. They believe that if they become content with what they have, where and who they are, then they will become complacent. This can happen but it does not have to. I am learning that I can work hard and also be content at the same time. A person can have goals and aspirations and the drive to back it up, all while being content.

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What does that look like? When someone is content, who they are is not defined by what they have or the position they hold. They are happy with little and they are happy with a lot. What people think or say about them does not affect them on a deep or personal level. They live each day in true gratitude, knowing that they are far more blessed and fortunate than many. Contentment is not an excuse for being lazy, so a person can be content and strive to meet their goals all at the same time. In fact, they are better able to reach their goals as they have a more healthy perspective on life, and so failure on their way to their goals does not knock them down for long. Another way of looking at it is, being content means being truly happy with what you have. You’re happy with

the job that you have, the house that you own, the friends that you talk to, while still striving to make them better. Contentment does not conflict with ambition. Just because you are thankful for what you have does not mean that you should not strive for more or better. The beauty of the journey Being content allows you to enjoy the journey even more. It actually gives you permission to set really big goals. Think about it. If I am content with where I am and what I have, I can then take on a really world-changing goal like: helping to rid the world of poverty. It frees me up to really enjoy the journey knowing that whether I succeed or not, it was the journey that matters and I am content with that.

Being content allows you to use your gifts and talents to serve mankind while not expecting anything in return. Sounds too woohoo? Just think about it for a moment. Why does someone who has all the money they need still go out and work hard doing philanthropic work? I am not saying all of this is easy, but my hope is that this article will start you thinking about what makes you happy. I hope it makes you ask yourself the questions. Am I content right now with where I am and what I have in life? Can I remain content while striving to achieve my big life goals? The ultimate goal is to remain content while still working hard every day to reach the goals you have set and to secure a better future for yourself and others because complacency is just not an option.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR LEISA GRACE WILSON is an educator,

entrepreneur and blogger. She currently lives in Abu Dhabi with her seven-year-old twin boys and husband. Leisa is passionate about personal development, entrepreneurship, finances and the world of education. You can connect with Leisa by visiting her blog www.leisagrace.com or connect with her on Linkedin https://www. linkedin.com/in/leisagrace/ and Twitter: https:// twitter.com/leisagrace

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Boutique No.8, Aswaaq Center, Al Badaa, Al Wasl Road, Dubai. Boutique 13, Building 8, Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. www.mokha1450.com

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THE REALITY OF MOVIES VS THE MAGIC OF LIFE “Cinema is not a series of abstract ideas but rather the phrasing of moments.” —Jean-Luc Godard Everything began in France with the Lumière brothers, over 100 years ago. Through the decades, the film industry has become a multibilliondollar worldwide phenomenon. American Hollywood—considered to be the cradle of the first movie studios and the oldest national film industry— has been joined over the decades by other film-producing giants. Bollywood, based in Mumbai, India, and Nigeria’s Nollywood are some of the most prominent international movie production centres, and China is considered the largest in gross box office profits. There are thousands of film festivals and screenplay contests each year for various genres of short, feature and documentary films. The European

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Cannes, Venice, Berlin, the American Sundance, and the Toronto Film Festivals are some of the most prestigious and influential in the world. Often, notable movies presented at these festivals become strong contenders for further nominations, including recommendations for the most renowned and glamorous Oscar Academy Awards. Since 1929, the Oscars have been crème de la crème within the American and international film industry. The golden Oscar statuette represents excellence, creativity, exceptional acting and movie production. “If your dream is all about winning an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, or another award, give up and quit now! Why dream for accolades, awards, recognition, or celebrity status? Dream to learn, achieve, grow, sustain and succeed....” —Loren Weisman

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Why do we love movies? “Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves.” —Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu We read books to imagine a tale. We watch movies to have situations, events, and stories visualised to us—all through the imagination of the film director, the cast, and the crew. Movies are a source of inspiration, joy, and often an escape. We bond emotionally with the characters, feel their pain, join them in their struggles, and share their experiences. We identify with leading figures that match our personality and temperament or represent our aspirations. We respect values and motivations that mirror our own. We reflect on our own choices by analysing our hero’s journey and chosen solutions. We cheer for the protagonist. We loathe the antagonist. We sympathise with our heroes and want them to overcome their problems and be victorious, no matter the circumstances. We desire for villains to learn their lesson and atone, admitting their wrongdoing or otherwise being defeated. Movies might reflect our journey, presenting parallel experiences to our own, with film characters being reflections of ourselves and the people around us. Depending on the genre, they can also represent a temporary escape from our current situation, a chance to experience the new and the unknown. Movies are great entertainment as well as a source of empowerment.

emotional involvement, which dictate filming techniques. Film characters are developed through archetypes, goals, motivations, and motives. The atmosphere of a movie involves shooting locations, costumes, scenography, and viewers’ perceived feelings. The story includes scene-toscene central figures’ perspective shifts, themes, and moods. Some genres, like romance, comedy, or drama, play on a spectrum of our emotions, often referring to real-life issues we experience in our daily lives. We watch these genres of movies to confront our own feelings, to restore hope and happiness. Thrillers, horrors, or action movies build excitement based on suspense and tension caused by delayed jeopardised situations. Such films cause controlled, short-lived stress giving an energy boost and inspire us to do extraordinary things. Interestingly, these genres can be a much better choice for a date than romance or comedy. When we are scared, our brains produce dopamine— the feel-good chemical—the same as when feeling infatuated. Historical, adventure, and fantasy film genres take us to particular settings of different time periods, or to a supernatural world with magical sensations. When life gets a bit dull, we tend to enjoy movies that allow us to escape to another world, expanding our imagination, and stimulating our mind.

What are the most popular film genres? “I am a genre lover—everything from spaghetti western to samurai movie.” —Quentin Tarantino

There are many subgenres in each category. To keep cinema exciting and innovative, directors draw from various genres, creating diverse and unique hybrid motion pictures. It is less about a specific genre and more about an exciting plot, multi-dimensional characters, and superb, engaging dialogues.

Motion pictures are divided into genres based on narrative elements, thematic categories, and

Great cinematography and sound add to the creative process of making movies.

“We are the movies and the movies are us.” —David Ansen

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“The thing that makes a great genre movie is one that’s not just entertainment, not just horror or sci-fi or whatever. The ones I love are the genre pictures with some subversive message underlying it all.” — Ethan Hawke How to convert your life into a movie? “To make a great film you need three things: the script, the script, and the script.” —Alfred Hitchcock We love movies. Why not create our life as though it is a movie? We know drama, going through a variety of life pains. We risk and make edgy decisions, like an action hero. We romance. We laugh at comical moments of our mishaps and silly situations. And we go through scary moments of our adventures. The same rule of an exciting hybrid of various genres in a movie pertains to our life. The more we confront and the more we experience, the better! All situations and emotions are there for a reason—the good, the bad, and the ugly— adding dimensions and excitement to our story. Like a movie, to build your life, you also need a script. Are you ready for a close-up? You are the main character, a protagonist. Take time to analyse who you are, what you like, what

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you want to achieve. Know your values. Be open with yourself about your virtues, vices, strengths, and weaknesses. Understand how you want to be perceived and appreciated by others. Recognise your dreams and wishes. Know your fears. Allow for your authentic inner voice to speak out loud and guide you in creating and building your personality and persona. What is your story? Summarise your one-liner logline in answering the question: What is your life about? Contemplate your goals, aspirations and the actions you need to take to complete them. Think of location: a place of living, work, or favourite getaway spots. Ponder your ideas. Create an inspirational and exciting plot for the story of your life, the places you want to visit, the people you want to meet, the experiences you want to have. Are you set to take action? You are the writer, main character, director, and producer of your movie titled: “My Life”. You can create a masterpiece, or you can deliver a flop. You can imagine no limitations for what you can do, have, and be, or you can hinder your development process with excuses, procrastination, and inner barriers. You can explore, dream, and discover, or you can remain still at your perceived safe harbour. Not all ideas might be great.

Not all actions can be successful, yet, you will not know until you undertake them. Have no regrets about what you have not done thus far. The time to start to write your script is now! Take heart and keep your spirit positively ignited for being the right person, at the right time, at the right place. “There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.” —Federico Fellini The magic of life “We are all actors and the world is our stage.” —William Shakespeare Movies can be magical, and the same goes for our lives. Many great movies are based on true stories. Real-life situations can be even more thrilling, compelling, and inspiring. Courage and curiosity, being open to confronting challenges, feeling deeply, and living passionately are the foundation of creating a storyline and a character. Dream! Keep on dreaming and then make your dreams a reality. This is when the action starts and thrilling moments occur. Some wishes come true, and some don’t. Some things do not materialise for a reason. C’est la vie! Accept that and move on. You can always rewrite your script, do addons, and shoot new scenes. Do not shy away from playing the main role and being a director of your circumstances. Embrace and brave your life. As Yoda from Star Wars said: “Do or do not. There is no try.” Look at the mirror and say: “I am ready!” And, get the recording going! Lights, camera, and action!

About the author

ANNA NIEMIRA Anna is a corporate consulting professional experienced in international capital markets, finance, and innovative technologies. Being an effective communicator, negotiator, and strategic management ambassador focused on growth and development, she served as a Director of Business Development at various organisations and has been called upon to serve as a judge and mentor at various financial and entrepreneurial competitions. She studied Blockchain technology at York University, Lassonde School of Engineering, Strategic Business Management and Negotiations at Harvard University, and received her accreditations from the Canadian Securities Institute. Fascinated with a holistic approach to life and business, and wanting to understand the human mind and human behaviour, Anna studied foundations of psychology at Yale University. She is a media personality known for her stage presence at various speaking engagements, popular talks, and interviews with progressive, innovative technology entrepreneurs, industry influencers, and idea trendsetters.

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8 FENG SHUI TIPS TO WELCOME LOVE INTO THE BEDROOM From facilitating romance to encouraging intimacy, the bedroom is the key location for couples to unwind and connect with each other. With this in mind, the interior experts at Essential Living have listed some useful feng shui tips to welcome love into the bedroom.

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1. PLACE THE BED IN THE CENTRE

The bed is the heart of the bedroom; therefore, it’s important to ensure it is placed in the correct position. To avoid you and your partner feeling trapped, make sure the bed is placed in the centre rather than the corner of the room. This will create accessibility, as one won’t be climbing on top of the other to get out. More importantly, any activity will just feel so much more intimate when the bed is placed in the centre rather than hidden away.

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2. DECLUTTER AND TIDY No one wants to end the night by going into an untidy room. In fact, a messy room will increase stress levels. That said, it’s important to ensure that the bedroom is nice and tidy in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.

3. CLOSE THE CURTAINS When it comes to intimacy in the bedroom, it’s important for couples to feel that they can really switch off from the outside world and focus on one another. Closing the curtains in the bedroom can be a helpful way to achieve this and will help to focus the attention on the atmosphere of the room—as well as each other.

4. RED ACCENTS As red is the signature colour of Valentine’s Day, try to incorporate accents of this shade into the bedroom, wherever possible. Think rose petals on the bed, a red rug, or even a red lampshade. However, don’t go too heavy on the red, as you may end up creating too much of a bold and intense atmosphere.

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To create a romantic atmosphere that is focused on the pair of you, remove any furniture or items that could serve as a potential distraction. This includes TVs, laptops and anything workrelated.

5. FEATURE COUPLE’S PHOTOGRAPHS On a day that is dedicated to celebrating the love you and your partner have for each other, don’t be afraid to get the memorabilia out. For example, you could have a cute couple’s photograph nestled on your bedside table. On a more psychological level, it might be a good idea to remove photographs of friends and family from your room for the night, as having these displayed might make you feel like your privacy is being invaded.

6. ENSURE THE MIRROR ISN’T FACING THE BED Following on from the notion of privacy, one of the golden rules of bedroom feng shui is to never have the mirror facing the bed. When it comes to intimate relations in bed, seeing the reflection of you and your partner can make it seem like there is a third party watching. More generally speaking, giant mirrors can be particularly overwhelming, so it’s important to ensure they are not the focal point of any room.

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7. WELCOME IN HOUSEPLANTS From purifying the air to promoting calmness, plants provide great energy for living spaces. What’s more, there are many plants that exude vibes of love and romance—from the String of Hearts to Anthuriums. Having these displayed on the bedside table or in the corner of the room would fuel the atmosphere and get the pair of you in a romantic mood.

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8. INCORPORATE THE ‘YIN’ ENERGY Last but not least, don’t forget to incorporate the ‘Yin’ energy. This type of energy nurtures sensuality and relaxation— something the bedroom needs this Valentine’s Day. From candles to soft, plump pillows and even soothing music, there are so many things that you can feature in the bedroom to promote Yin energies. Not to mention, when you and your partner are both feeling relaxed, this will naturally open up the doors for intimacy.

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Take a Tour Around

Time Out Market Dubai

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Souk Al Bahar - Downtown Dubai - Dubai www.timeoutmarket.com/dubai/

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food

FOODS TO FIGHT ACID REFLUX Acid reflux: that feeling of food rising back up into the oesophagus after enjoying a nice meal or when we lay down to sleep—a feeling so many of us know all too well. Let’s talk about acid reflux or GERD, for those who have ongoing acidity issues. Firstly, what is it? According to WebMD, when stomach acid flows the wrong way—back into the tube that connects the throat to the stomach (oesophagus), it is known as acid reflux.

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If it happens frequently and doesn’t get better, then you could be dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The symptoms include chest pain, a cough, and trouble swallowing, especially when lying down. Sometimes, it can bring up bits of food or sour liquid into your mouth. So what foods can be used to lessen acid reflux? Here are some that you can try, and then let us know the verdict.

• Lettuce, celery, and capsicum (sweet peppers) – These mild green veggies are generally easy on the stomach, and don’t usually cause reflux.

• Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are low-acid fruits and among the best foods for acid reflux. • Chicken breast – First things first, remove the fatty skin. Skip fried chicken and, instead, try recipes that include baked, broiled or grilled chicken breast.

• Brown rice – A complex carbohydrate that is mild and filling; just don’t have it fried. Wild rice is probably the best version for those who deal with acid reflux issues.

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• Oatmeal – This breakfast staple is filling, hearty and healthy. It also works for lunch and is usually mild on the tummy.

• Fennel – A low-acid crunchy vegetable that has a mild liquorice flavour that is naturally soothing. Choose to eat or drink fennel for a positive effect on the stomach.

• Ginger – Sip on caffeine-free ginger tea or chew on low-sugar dried ginger, a natural tummy tamer.

Avoiding anything that is fatty, acidic or highly caffeinated is highly recommended. Do speak with a doctor if the best foods for acid reflux and/or lifestyle changes do not relieve your symptoms.

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Fitness

EXERCISES THAT IMPROVE YOUR MOOD It’s a well-known fact that exercise is good for the body. Did you also know it can boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help you deal with depression, anxiety, stress, and more? When you exercise, the body not only feels more relaxed and calm, but benefits mentally as well. Find out why exercise is beneficial to your mood and which ones are best to help balance your emotions. What exercise does for the mood When you engage in high-intensity exercise, your body and brain produce hormones and neurotransmitters that positively impact your mood, memory, energy levels, and sense of wellbeing. Some of these are known as endorphins, the body’s feelgood chemicals. They can result in the “runner’s high” that joggers talk about. After a good workout, your muscles are tired, but you feel more relaxed. Thanks to your workout, the pent-up tension and stress in your muscles and your mind are reduced. You may also feel a sense of accomplishment, which boosts your self-confidence and improves your sense of well-being. So, whether you want to perk up, calm down, feel sharper, or just be happier, there’s a mind-altering routine for you. Mental health benefits of exercise Out & About Magazine

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Regular physical activity can still offer a welcome boost to your mood, outlook, and mental well-being. Exercise can help provide: Sharper memory and thinking: The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharp for tasks at hand. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline. Improved self-esteem: Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body and soul. It can foster your sense of self-worth and make you feel strong and more powerful when it becomes a habit. You’ll feel better about your appearance and, by meeting even small exercise goals, you’ll feel a sense of achievement. Better sleep: If you prefer to exercise at night, relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching can help promote sleep. Short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can also help regulate your sleep patterns.

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Increased energy levels: Start off with just a few minutes of exercise per day, and increase your workout as you feel more energised. Increasing your heart rate several times a week will give you more getup-and-go pep. Improved resilience: When faced with mental or emotional challenges in life, exercise can help you build resilience and cope healthily, instead of negative associated behaviours that, ultimately, worsen your symptoms. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and reduce the impact of stress. Exercises and their mind-altering uses • Yoga to decrease anxiety: The benefits of yoga go far beyond increasing your flexibility, it may also help reduce anxiety if practised correctly and regularly. • Tai Chi to reduce stress: Yoga is not the only stress-buster on the block. The ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi is also said to help you stress less.

• Pilates to improve sleep: Not being able to sleep can be frustrating, but Pilates may be able to help your mind unwind and get a good night’s rest. Pilates is a series of exercises that help improve physical strength and mental awareness. • Cycling to increase energy: You don’t need to enter the Tour de France to reap the benefits of cycling. Research shows that even short rides on a bicycle may be beneficial. • Weight training to increase clarity: As it turns out, pumping iron may not only give you a toned body, it may also boost your mind. Remember, you don’t need to curl heavy dumbbells to reap the benefits of weightlifting. • Dancing to release endorphins: If you love to dance for fun, we have good news for you. Not only can it raise your heart rate, which in turn helps burn calories, but multiple studies have shown music could offer a healthy escape for your mind. • Swim to reduce depression: On the lookout for a mood-boosting exercise that is also low-impact? Swimming can improve both your mental and physical health.

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Experience the

Best of Maldives at Anantara Kihavah Villas

Kihavah Huravalhi Island, 20215, Maldives

+960 660 1020

kihavahmaldives@anantara.com

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Travel and Experiences

DESEO:

SOUTH AMERICA IN THE HEART OF DUBAI DESEO, a South American-inspired contemporary urban restaurant and ultraluxurious lounge, has announced its reopening at ME Dubai—the only hotel to be completely designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid.

Punctuated with personality and charm throughout its intimate lounge and dining space, DESEO stimulates a tropical and celebratory vibe that calls to the fiery fiestas of the Latin American continent.

Situated in the epicentre of Dubai’s commercial hub, Business Bay, DESEO boasts scenic views of the Dubai downtown skyline and the iconic Burj Khalifa.

Ornamented with comfortably impressive lounge sofas, beautifully plush carpets in Tulum-inspired patterns, and a sea of warm conical overhead lamps beautifully

Transporting guests to a mystical land filled with adventure and excitement, DESEO offers an exhilarating and unforgettable evening full of thrill and delight. Uplifted by euphoric Latin-inspired beats from their resident DJ, scintillating cuisine, refreshingly cool and creative cocktails, and complemented by sophisticated yet relaxed interiors, the venue gives guests an immersive South American dining experience.

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complementing the bursts of foliage on the lush green terrace of the hotel, visitors can easily be transported to the vibrant and exotic lifestyle of South America’s cornucopia of culture.

Grilled Skewers, a contemporary take on a classic Peruvian street food dish, served in traditional yet tantalising spices that will leave the palette content yet yearning for more.

Visitors and residents are invited to enjoy authentic Latin gastronomic delights, assembled with passion by renowned resident Chef James Knight-Pacheco.

For mains, a key highlight is the Wagyu Picanha, marinated and served with bright and zesty chimichurri that cuts through the full-bodied flavours of the beef.

Chef James carefully curates mouth-watering, standout dishes, utilising a host of elements from both the land and sea, in an impeccable fusion of classic and simple ingredients, creative flavours and contrasting textures—all combined to create an extravaganza of culinary excellence.

Guests can also be ready to sink their teeth into other mains, including the Wagyu Rib-Eye, Red Snapper, Chilean Seabass, Lobster, Shrimps and more, all of which can be paired with a range of Mexican beverages and custom-mixed cocktails to complement each meal.

Signature starters include diners’ choice and the immensely addictive, Maiz Maiz, a carefully concocted dish steeped in flavour and texture, achieved by bringing together the most elementary of ingredients, including sweet corn and Italian parmesan, topped with 37 grams of Belgian Truffle. This dish, which is known to produce queues of culinary enthusiasts throughout its Mexican homeland, is guaranteed to have Dubai guests returning time and time again to DESEO, to dine on this flawlessly executed, cheesy and creamy delicacy.

Round off the night with DESEO’s Tres Leches, taking the ever-popular dessert to new levels by being created with 17 different textures that will have any diner devouring with ravishing delight.

Other starters include an impressive array of fresh and appetising Peruvian Ceviches, crafted from seasonal and local fish in exciting tropical and distinct flavours; and the irresistible Anticuchos or 144

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Everything about the tangy Pina Colada Ice Cream is instagrammable. Unveiled in an innovative and immersive dry-ice presentation, placed within a fresh pineapple, this dish is worthy to be on everybody’s social media feed. ME Dubai’s latest addition to its culinary portfolio is therefore the ideal location for after-work drinks, a night out to enjoy Dubai’s cool winters, on an open lavish green terrace or an afternoon of endless fun at Fiesta Deseo Brunch.

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THE WORLD ON YOUR PLATE UAE visitors can feast on the best of global cuisine

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When the whole world’s dishes are available in one country, when you can eat a different cuisine daily for 365 days a year, you know you’re in a global food destination. The UAE’s tens of thousands of restaurants cater to every taste and every craving, reflecting the more than 200 nationalities who now call the country home. It is perhaps no surprise that food tourists have started to make a beeline for the UAE, exploring not just the best of Gulf cuisine— with dishes such as the hearty harees and the dessert luqaimat— but some of the best examples of food from the Arab World, the Indian subcontinent, South-East Asia, and East Africa. It means that visitors enjoying the World’s Coolest Winter in the UAE can indulge equally in five-star gourmet dining, home-grown fusion concepts, and a wide array of street food. They can try Iraqi Masgouf, Jordanian Mansaf, Palestinian Musakhan, Somali Cambuulo, North Indian Biryani, Portuguese Bacalao, Ethiopian Zigni, Iranian Falooda, and Russian Kapusta. They can eat over crisp white tablecloths or spread out on a blanket in one of the nation’s many parks or on its many worldclass beaches. In fact, such is the country’s reputation for world-leading cuisine that an increasing number of renowned international chefs have brought their world-leading skills to the UAE, with their restaurants becoming tourism magnets and favoured destinations for citizens and residents. Among these celebrated names are Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Giorgio Locatelli, and the former White House chef in the Barack Obama Administration, Ron DeSantis—and their menus will be high on every foodie’s list. Gordon Ramsay Scottish chef Gordon Ramsay has achieved worldwide fame, opening a string of restaurants around the world, including 15 in London. Among them is Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which has held three Michelin stars for two decades. Ramsay first brought his talents to the UAE with Bread Street Kitchen, a crowd-pleasing, British-accented venue in Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. He has since added Hell’s Kitchen in Caesars Palace Dubai on Bluewaters Island. This is the second branch of this luxurious franchise following its launch in Las Vegas and is inspired by Chef Ramsay’s reality TV show. It serves his signature dishes, including beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding.

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Nobu Matsuhisa Highly acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa opened the Dubai branch of his world-famous restaurant Nobu at Atlantis, The Palm in 2008. True to its global reputation, Chef Matsuhisa serves exquisite contemporary Japanese dishes that fuse the flavours of the Far East with international elements, including those from the Gulf. It remains the benchmark for Asian cuisine in the UAE.

Massimo Bottura For lovers of Italian cuisine, the UAE is home to one of Italy’s most famous chefs, Massimo Bottura. His restaurants have earned three Michelin stars and he has brought his unique style and palate to Dubai in the form of Torno Subito in the W Hotel on the Palm. The relaxed beachside venue is inspired by the 1960s and offers innovative Italian for lunch and dinner. Prior to his restaurant in Dubai, Bottura had gained wide international fame after opening his first restaurant, Osteria Francescana, which is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world.

Giorgio Locatelli International chef Giorgio Locatelli has gained global fame, thanks to a talent that is as at home in the kitchen as it is on our television screens. He was brought up among celebrity chefs in Corgeno, Italy, and after working in restaurants in Switzerland, England and Paris, he confirmed his promise with his Olivo and Zafferano restaurants, which immediately became of the most successful Italian restaurants in London. Ronda Locatelli then opened at the iconic Atlantis Hotel on The Palm in Dubai, from which an array of authentic Italian dishes is served. 150

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Hungry Planet It’s not just in restaurants where the world’s best chefs are able to make their mark in the UAE. Ron DeSantis, a former chef at the White House in the US, is lending his expertise to future foods, specifically plant-based meat products that deliver both health and environmental benefits. As chief culinary officer at Hungry Planet, which is exploring opening operations in the UAE, Ron is helping to confirm the UAE’s position as a leading regional hub for food technology. This also makes the country a destination for tourists wishing to experience what food will be in the future. So, whether it’s a foodie road trip around the seven emirates or a celeb-spotting chase around the best of the branded venues, the UAE can help unleash all manner of culinary cravings. And there’s no better time to do it than the winter season, which is ideal for al fresco lunches and intimate, candlelit dinners. You’ll need all that refuelling, too. This is the time of year for hiking and biking, adrenaline rushes and wilderness escapes, getting off the beaten track and discovering a new favourite. So, why not add foodie adventures to the list?

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ESCAPE TO MAURITIUS The stunning island of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean approximately 2,000km off the southeast coast of Africa, offers couples the perfect romantic getaway. Mauritius boasts miles of pristine white-sand beaches, complemented by lush forests and volcanic peaks. The entire island is surrounded by coral reefs that have created beautiful lagoons. The secluded destination has plenty to offer couples looking for a romantic holiday in the heart of nature.

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Beaches Mauritius’ exquisite beaches and islets are flanked with swaying palm trees and crystal clear water. The island is home to a number of luxury resorts with suites and overwater villas that boast infinity pools and gardens, offering the ultimate privacy. The resorts spoil guests with round-the-clock butler service and all-inclusive packages. Some resorts are available to book for adults-only. North Mauritius has the greatest number of beaches, offering watersports such as water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, and parasailing. Beaches on the east coast are less crowded and offer spectacular views of the wild, natural beauty; while southern Mauritius is known for its high sea cliffs and dramatic vistas of large waves crashing against the rocks. The western coast is ideal for those chasing magnificent sunsets. Some of Mauritius’ popular beaches are Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Ile aux Cerfs, Belle Mare Plage, Flic en Flac, and Tamarin Bay. Waterfalls The Chamarel Village is one of Mauritius’ hidden gems. Located south of Mauritius, the village boasts seven coloured surfaces also known as ‘The Seven Coloured Earth’. Another must-visit destination in the village is the splendid Chamarel Waterfalls, nestled amid lush green foliage. Couples can enjoy this magical spot with a dip in the cool waters.

Scuba diving Mauritius is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking coral reefs. With a scuba diving experience, couples can explore the exotic undersea wonders together, including the colourful variety of tropical fish, sponges, sea anemones, and even shipwrecks dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the popular dive sites in Mauritius are the Cathedral, the Whale Rock and Roche Zozo. Outdoor adventures There is a wide array of activities for couples that love the outdoors. Travellers can choose dolphinspotting catamaran cruises or hikes through the trails of Black River Gorges National Park to bird watch and experience endemic species in their natural habitat. Kayaking trips to uninhabited islets are also available with overnight camping on the beach. For adrenaline seekers, Mauritius also offers skydiving and zip lining experiences. Nature lovers can visit the Mauritius Botanical Garden (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden), one of the oldest botanical gardens in Africa. According to its storied history, some of the trees in the garden were planted by notable personalities like Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi and Princess Margaret.

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Golf Mauritius is a golfing paradise, home to some of the world’s top golf courses. Couples can tee off on the course with views of the coastline or incredible rainforests. Gastronomy Mauritius offers a unique mix of Creole, African, Indian, and Chinese cuisines. A Mauritian holiday is incomplete without a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach, allowing couples to savour delicious food and drinks, all while dipping their toes in the sand and soaking in picturesque views of the ocean, under the stars. To experience a slice of Mauritius’ nightlife, couples can also head to rooftop cafes and bars where they can try popular dishes and look at the illuminated city skyline. Wellness Mauritius is the ideal destination for couples who want to rejuvenate their senses. The island’s spas offer therapeutic treatments in serene surroundings. Couples can choose from an extensive selection of Ayurvedic massages, treatments inspired by the ocean and other Mauritian fusion massages. Out & About Magazine

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Shopping Port Louis, the island’s capital and largest city, is a cultural hub and fantastic venue for shopaholics. Travellers can stroll through the Le Caudan Waterfront and buy eclectic souvenirs. You are sure to find something to suit every taste, including some commemorating the famous Mauritian Dodo bird. Shoppers visiting Flacq market can purchase spices, herbal teas and vanilla, while Le Craft market is ideal for handcrafted items. Mauritius will always be a perfect destination for a romantic holiday with its idyllic and tranquil landscape. It is even ideal for popping the question or booking a destination wedding.

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For the Culture

LIVING IN OUR NARRATIVE

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There is a plain old argument that life is a narrative filled with ups and downs, twists, and turns, wins to learn, or we slash and burn. Life, as we know it, is seemingly based on subjective perceptions, cultural norms, interconnected beliefs, and premises based on personal and communal values. We are a constant reminder of our own culture and norms because our values force us to react based on what we believe in and who we are asked to be by our society. Life, as the narrative, then presents us with the idea that stimuli attract responses in a never-ending cycle that seems like a fight for relevance and autonomy over our existence. Irrespective of the narrative we encounter in our lifetime, there are seemingly two models before us: ourselves and the competition. Put simply, we are having to put a face to intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. Our narrative, whether we accept it or not, is predicated on a fight for or against self and a fight against the competition. The greatest indicator of this notion is the undeniable eagerness to win. We are easily denied as much as allowed to taste the nectar of victory based on the mood and opinion of ourselves or the society. Being subjective is our natural way of observing a situation, it is also our factory setting in making decisions. Yet, show me a person who intends to lose when the stakes are at the highest and I show you an imposter masking as an outlier with misguided intentions. While growing up in the lush, green and luxuriously scenic beauty of central Jamaica, with a breathtaking environment permeated by grandiose sunsets, the

smell of fun and the melodies of laughter walking toward my ears could not distract me from staying indoors to watch, with bated breath, a new episode of Smallville. No one could categorically care to be a bigger fan of this movie series. It was a matter of accountability as well as it was my responsibility to dodge the euphoria of playing outside with friends on a Friday evening just to fully immerse myself in the fascination and the intricacies of the main character in this series, Clark Kent. As it were, I remembered how deep I thought about this character because he was not an average mortal person doing basic things for notoriety; this seemingly normal person was superman. An intriguing aspect to his being was how regally fragile he was in the form of Clark Kent, yet fierce when facing external forces—the competition. You see, like everybody else on this planet, there is a pertinent argument that our greatest fight is fought in our minds, however, others may argue that it is against the opinion of external forces. Consequently, Clark could not seemingly overcome himself to go for what was desirable to him as a mere mortal. The constant fight in his mind was his kryptonite in human form. Hence, I premise that the narrative for life is a constant life: a fight to stay on the upside of the flipped coin. So which fight keeps you up at night? The fight against the competition or the fight against or for self? First, our self-confidence is a very delicate, circumstantial, and precarious state of mind. Thinking about your selfconfidence as a lion king gorging himself on a freshly hunted buffalo compared to a caged lion being thrown lumps of meat

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feeling ridiculed by onlookers bellowing, “Oh, look at the king of the jungle!” To be confident in ourselves comes from our past experiences and our current trajectory towards our future. Hence, our intentions are primarily designed to give us a comfortable existence and perspective. When it seems like our experiences are looking very much like our future, the quality of our lives will be affected because we are inherently species built to accommodate change. The quality of our existence is always contingent on how we feel about ourselves and our environment. Our confidence is a combative boxer who staves off challengers. The challengers or opponents are moments of doubt, the fear of failure, the fear of success, pridefulness, and intriguingly, overconfidence. In the quest of staying relevant comes a lot of strife in our psyches. Feeling inadequate compared to the standards set in our respective fields of dispensation is not a welcoming feeling, yet how do we overcome these inadequacies? The secret is to fight back like superman against Dru-Zod. It is beneficial to create a culture of

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taking responsibility for our failures, resisting our default mindsets, while looking ahead with a positive lens. A fight is won in the mind before a win is played out physically or tangibly. A fight is not a quantifiable experience yet losing or winning is. A hard road to winning is as significant as an easy road to a comparable outcome. The primary goal is to be a champion at whatever we intend; to do that we have to find ways to tip the balance of self-confidence to a positive outlook regardless of the prior outcomes. This is because everything in life is relative; everything in life is conditional. Consequently, there is another angle to take the fight. This fight is to stay relevant in the external environment. Being recognised for your contributions to a cause is tantamount to the injection of serotonin into someone criminally inflicted by insomnia. Everyone wants to feel they are needed or that their input is meaningful and worthwhile. Yet, there is a time when the perception of others is not equal to the effort you are or have given. It is vital to point out that this competition is organic and not for any intent or purposes designed to bring about bitterness or fraught.

The design of our human mind is contingent upon personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. In other words, the human mind is by default, subjective. Conversely, if we understand how subjectivity really works, then that knowledge will help us to navigate the external influences like the imperious and impervious nature of superman in moments of dissension and strife. When the external adulation turns its back on you, it is important to stand your ground and rely on your values and self-belief to carry you. Importantly, we must know that not being in the losers’ enclosure is just as much as temporary as being on the winning side. Our minds are designed like the changing of the seasons. In the summer we are hot and attractive, by the cusp of winter, we are like the flowers which wither away. Look beyond the conspicuous nature of the society, because the truth is there are times when the crowd will turn its back, but when it does, continue to be your permanent supporter because just as seasons change, so will the external forces, the competition, and the subjective minds of the onlookers. There is no kryptonite grander than you turning your back on yourself; be that shining light in your moments of darkness. In conclusion, the question remains, which fight is greater than the internal or external fight? The answer again depends on the individual because our default setting is based on subjectivity. How we see ourselves and how others see us

can have an interchangeable effect on our selfconfidence. Quite frankly, it all comes down to how we extract the nectar of motivation. Some people depend on others’ praise for validation, others may use the crowds’ validation to enhance their self-confidence, while still others need no recognition. It all comes down to us being intrinsically or extrinsically motivated, or the nature of our careers and environment. Of course, people will have their opinions on which of these motivations are better, but I’ll argue that spice is as much the variety of life as the narrative. Everything in life is relative to what our reality is for a particular moment. The competition, whether internally or externally, is not quantifiable until we categorically reach a truce or resolve. In our quest in search of balance and equity in our being, it is imperative to be objective because value comes from a place where negative emotions, opinions, or feelings cease to exist. We cannot control how people feel about us, but we can control how we feel about ourselves. The fight is constantly being fought, whether internally or externally, (we are always responding to stimuli). Still, we are who we think we are in these moments. If we feel that we are losers then we are. If we feel we are winners then, ultimately, we will win. Greatness takes time! So, until next time, think with a great mind; use the time like superman to be fruitful and expand on your prime.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JEROME DOUGLAS Jerome Douglas is a dad, trained teacher, poet and writer from the beautiful island of Jamaica. His personal philosophy is “If it is for me to be, then it is up to me.” He attended the Catholic College of Mandeville in Jamaica. Additionally, he is a community builder and humanitarian who volunteers his time to help with the academic and social well-being of people in his Central Jamaica community and surrounding areas.

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Al Huwelat Street, Villa No 15 - 4 Al Bateen , Al Falah St - Abu Dhabi, Tel: 02 666 0175

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Shelf Life Whatcha Gonna Do With That Duck?: And Other Provocations “We’re surrounded by people who are busy getting their ducks in a row, waiting for just the right moment. . . . Getting your ducks in a row is a fine thing to do. But deciding what you are going to do with that duck is a far more important issue.” —From the blog post “Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck?”

This book is essentially a collection of blog posts, loosely organised into sections, covering a wide array of topics. Overall, the posts are interesting and present a lot of things to think about. Seth Godin’s advice and insight throughout the blogbook are aimed at getting you to realise and activate your own talents, motivation, interests and engage in the world.

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