First

VALENTINO I CHANEL I TRAVEL TO ICELAND I INTERVIEW WITH VANESSA XUEREB FROM SOHO HOUSE IN LONDON LEARNING TO SAY “NO” I THE MALTESE PIPER I MALTESE FASHION DESIGN I RECIPES I COMPETITIONS

AUGUST 2016

Photograph by Alan Carville

Saying ‘No’ August is as good a time as any to start learning how to say ‘No’, as Claire Bugelli puts it (on page 54) – a simple, one-syllable, twoletter word that we should use more often. It prevents broken promises and it rids us of guilt.

My brother-in-law, in fact, does it well, especially now with three young children so close in age, and it is only now, with a young daughter myself, that I have started to learn what it means to say ‘No’ to anything extra – in fact it may finally become a frequentlyused word in my vocabulary as well!

This time of year is also when we yearn for a touch of cooler weather – although autumn is not so far away! This is something that Iceland can give you, and Dini Martinez packs her bags to experience what this interesting country has to offer (page 38).

Meanwhile, Vanessa Xuereb from London’s Soho House is busy overseeing their collection of members clubs sprouting up around the world – we meet the ‘Queen of Soho’ at the cool club on page 32.

I love the buzz of summer as much as I love the cosiness of winter – the sound of the crickets at sunset, and the sparkling sea – I just say ‘No’ to the beach during the day. It’s just not as simple as it was, with a baby. Home entertaining, however, is ever more appealing to me, and Charlot and Alex from Fifth Flavour give us two salad ideas to share with friends (page 56).

EDITOR LILY AGIUS LAGIUS@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ADVERTISING & ADVERT PLACEMENTS CLAIRE BONDIN GAFA CGAFA@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SEAN ELLUL PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTWORK COORDINATOR CHRISTINE SPITERI CMIFSUD@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT CONTRIBUTORS ALBERT DELIA, CLAIRE BUGELLI, DINI MARTINEZ, DOMINIC BARTOLO, FIFTH FLAVOUR, GIULIA PANDOLFINO, JENNIFER DIMECH, LINE YOUNG PRETERI, MADELEINE BALDACCHINO, MATTHEW B SPITERI, NATASHA MELI, VANESSA XUEREB PUBLISHER STANDARD PUBLICATIONS, STANDARD HOUSE, BIRKIKARA HILL, ST JULIAN’S. TEL: 00356-2134-5888 PRINTER PRINT IT E-MAIL FIRST@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ONLINE WWW.INDEPENDENT.COM.MT FACEBOOK FIRSTMAGAZINE COVER DETAILS PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPH OF VANESSA XUEREB BY MAGNUS HASTINGS FIRST IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY.

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Inside

09 FIRST WORD

With fashion blogger Line Young Preteri

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54 DEAR CLAIRE

Learning how to say ‘No’

12 MAKING SCENTS

56 SUMMER ENTERTAINING

The latest perfumes

By Fifth Flavour

17 FASHION ICON

60 LAST WORD

The great fashion designer, Valentino

20 BIBA FOREVER

With the recently graduated fashion designer Giulia Pandolfino

This issue’s fashion shoot

32 QUEEN OF SOHO

Meet Vanessa Xuereb, from the London members club Soho House

38 ICELAND

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With travelling guru Dini Martinez

45 THE MALTESE PIPER

Albert Delia discovers a talented instrument maker

49 STATS

Statistics and figures about the next generation

32 30 WINNER from the JULY ISSUE 6

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Gretel Busutil from Birkirkara has won a bottle of Olympea Aqua EDT 50ml courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd.

first word

Line Young Peteri describes herself as a geek, positive and honest, but those who know her or have watched her from afar would also call her a pillar of strength. Despite countless treatments for throat cancer in London, and days on end away from her family, she remains strong and relentlessly inspired. An investment advisor and entrepreneur by profession, co-founder of Roccamore – a company that produces comfortable high-heeled shoes, and an advisor in a very exciting neuroscience project, Line is also a wife and the mother of two young children. Photography by Jonathan Borg.

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safe it would be a pair of small shoes I wore when I was adopted and went to live in Denmark. They are my first things of my own from my previous life.

I lived in an orphanage, so we shared everything, but when I was adopted I could choose an outfit, including shoes – I still have the jacket and shoes.

An indulgence I would never give up is drinking champagne! I’ve just completed 28 radiotherapy sessions and my neck and throat were a hot mesh but even if the bubbles are a tiny bit painful, I would never give it up!

The thing you will always find in my fridge is champagne, no matter how empty my fridge is otherwise. You never know if there’ll be something to celebrate or if someone just drops by.

If could be somewhere else in the blink of an eye I would be in Iceland. I’ve always wanted to go there and haven’t managed to yet. From what I’ve seen the nature is incredible, and the closest you can get to the landscape of the moon on earth (see page 38 for travel to Iceland).

One thing I never get round to doing and wish to is to live more in the moment instead of the past, to worry less and appreciate my life and myself much more.

If had no choice but to change my line of work I would love to be a human rights lawyer – I think I would have been very good at it.

My favourite space in my house is

the balcony. It is large, with a beautiful sea view, and somewhere I can watch sailboats and small dinghies pass by. I sometimes go there, early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise – it looks like heaven it’s so incredible.

The best thing I own is a picture my friend

The most inspirational person in my life is my

I would like to learn how to speak Italian.

friend Ditlev. He has done very well for himself, and is still down-to-earth and super funny. He recently invested in a Danish newspaper, and sent them 12 ukuleles to play on. I have never seen him lose his temper – I really wish I could learn how to do that!

I love Italy – the culture, the fashion, the art, the cars, their love of family, the opera, the wine and, yes, the language.

We go there at least twice a year.

The book I am reading is

The most unforgettable place I visited is – I

Kafka on the Shore by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, but in Danish (Kafka paa Stranden).

know it sounds superficial, but I think it’s Las Vegas. Everything is so ‘plastic’ it’s like being in some really colourful sci-fi movie. I don’t think I could be there for a long period at a time though... I also got married there!

My most recent find is a lovely little Vietnamese restaurant called Bang Bang close to Regent’s Park in London: the food is very good – fresh and I ate there four evenings in a row!

The last place I visited is

The website I will often browse is

London, South Kensington. I’ve spent about 140 days there in the past eight months so it feels quite familiar.

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was a pair of Rockstud Valentino kitten heels (right) and a vintage Chanel bag.

The best gift I’ve received recently, I would have to say is getting closer to my family and some friends. I have never really felt that I needed anyone, but in the past year, for example, I have seen my parents at least once a month, when before I saw them maybe once or twice a year.

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Joanna gave me, in which the Maltese artist Nadine Noko has portrayed me as a superhero, with one of my cancer operation scars as a lightning bolt, wearing a pair of shoes from our own collection.

Mytheresa.com for fashion, Danishnewsside, and I have become a huge fan of Podcast, where Serial and Radiolab have become my favourites.

The most beautiful building in the world is The Duomo in Milan. I have visited it three times and I still get amazed when I see it. It’s incredible what we humans are capable of when we don’t fight and ruin the earth!

The most spectacular city in the world is Copenhagen. I know it’s a bit too biased to say that, when I’m from there,

however even though it’s not a big city there is so much to do, and to me it is colourful, modern and interesting.

Overall, I’m very proud of Denmark and especially Copenhagen. Maybe it doesn’t have the ‘greatness’ factor of London or New York, or the culture of Rome, but Copenhagen embraces everything from street kitchens, and beautiful architecture, and the people from Copenhagen are generally liberalminded and ‘cool’.

The objects I would never part with is my phone and wi-fi – I have a very hard time being ‘disconnected’ from the world, even for a short time, but if the house was burning and my family was

My most luxurious habit is, oh it’s a bit hard to single out one, but I do love shopping. If I really want to pamper myself, I love to go to Caviar House Prunier for a glass of rose champagne, caviar and foie gras. My husband and I are, in general, very big fans of going out and discovering new lovely restaurants. I also love wonderful hotels. I live in a very nice home in Malta, so I quickly get depressed if I live in anything less when I’m abroad, especially if I’m without my family.

And I’ve found this little hotel in South Kensington, Park International, where they have very nice heritage suites and even the porcelain is old and unique.

/cisk

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Making Scents There’s something in the air

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fragrance is as much your addiction as fashion, 1fromIfyou’llSo…? love the fun, feminine and flirtatious scents that brings the two together in one beautiful bottle. A cult beauty favourite, So…? takes its cues from the latest catwalk trends, mixing them with street chic and divine femininity; the So...? eau de toilette, body sprays and dry shampoos collection has a classic, desirable and ultra-feminine fragrance to suit every girl’s attitude, all at affordable prices. Exclusively distributed

by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd. Tel. 21446205/6.

Hugo Boss believes in a different type of seduction. Slow, 2seduction steady, tense with anticipation, the Boss way of is an art, which finds a perfect balance between confidence and nonchalance. Boss the Scent boasts an 12

exclusive ingredient from Africa: the aphrodisiac Maninka fruit, evocative of passion fruit and rum. However, the Maninka also evokes something deeper and more profound: the tug of desire and the pull of memory. Set on a virile leather base, its effect is potent, original, never to be forgotten. For local trade enquiries please call VJ Salomone Marketing. Tel: 80072387.

Queen of Seduction is the new feminine perfume 3Seduction of Antonio Banderas that adds up to the King of Universe. An attractive and sensual fragrance inspired in the power of attraction, for a sophisticated, feminine and characterful woman, a woman up to the level of the king of the seducers. Exclusively distributed

by Ta’Xbiex Perfumery Ltd, tel. 21331553.

creation emblematic of the spirit and energy of Luna Rossa. Inspired by the challenge of 4extremeAPradanewsailing, Prada Luna Rossa Eau Sport reveals a

the aquatic character of these compositions. Exclusively distributed by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd, tel. 21331553.

dynamic character to redefine lighter Eau de Toilettes with warmer radiant notes. Built around six timeless ingredients, the opening notes of bergamot and cedar enrich aromatic lavender and tart ginger at the heart of the fragrance which melt into aromas of gray amber and cedar. Exclusively distributed by Ta’Xbiex Perfumery, tel.

21331553.

in 2007, Allure Homme Sport Cologne is the 6cologneCreated result of a search of energy that teams the freshness of with the persistence of an Eau de Toilette. With an

Paco Rabanne brings back the trend of aquatic 5competition fragrances with editions inspired by the athletic spirit, and victory, Invictus and Olympéa. The new releases, Invictus Aqua and Olympéa Aqua further emphasise

explosion of citrus predominantly of Sicilian mandarin, the timeless Allure Homme Sport Cologne delivers invigorating freshness. Vibrant and intense, this accord resonates with the cedar and amber notes that compose its intrinsically masculine facet. Echoing this woody facet, the roundness and softness of white musk add a final sensual touch. In addition to the generous 150ml size, this year Chanel is also releasing a 50ml bottle and a 100ml bottle. Chanel is distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd.

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competition

Answer the following question correctly to win a bottle of Paco Rabanne Invictus from Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd.

WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF SOHO HOUSE IN LONDON? Send your answer, including your full name and contact details, by Monday 29 August to First Perfume Competition, The Malta Independent, Standard House, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s. Good luck!

AN ETERNAL

FRAGRANCE

I

ndefinable and eternally enigmatic, N°5 is not a fragrance. It is an olfactory heritage: a certain idea of femininity, a masterpiece of chic, passed on from generation to generation.

But it is above all the signature scent of pure modernity. Like a Bauhaus, it is fully in step with its time, and yet always manages to keep one step ahead. The founding fragrance of CHANEL creation, N°5 has never ceased to inspire the perfumers of the House. Over the years, each one endeavored to protect its formula, to master its mechanics, to guarantee the provision of its rare materials, and to understand its revolutionary character. Remaining true to its strong inner nature, they have each tried their hand at the same exercise in style, creating their own interpretation. In 1924, only three years after the creation of the Parfum, Ernest Beaux interpreted it as an Eau de Toilette. In 1986, Jacques Polge created the Eau de Parfum. Steadfastly 5 and totally new. Twenty-two years later, he dared to breathe new life into the formula with Eau Première. Now, in 2016, it is perfumer Olivier Polge’s turn to capture the essence of his time with the creation of N°5 L’EAU. A fragrance of the here, now and always.

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Lily Rose Depp wearing a multicolored silk top, CHANEL Haute Couture and CHANEL sunglasses.

With its iconic, code-like name, it ushered perfumery into a new era. Fragrance was suddenly authorised to mix faux and fine, jersey and fur, flowers and aldehydes.

SUMMER

SALE 18 CATHEDRAL ST, SLIEMA. T: 7999 9943 FOLLOW US ON freeze_frame_fashion

Shop on line www.freezeframefashion.com

VALENTINO THE MASTER OF COUTURE

Line Young Peteri, a 39-year-old Danish investment advisor at Kickass.Capital and co-owner of roccamore.com, is a passionate lover of bags and shoes. She shares with us one of her favourite designers and brands that can be found in her wardrobe. Âť

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V alentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, born in 1932, best known as Valentino, is one of the most famous and iconic of all couture designers. Italian born with French finesse, he combines the best of two cultures.

His big break was in 1962, and in 1964 Jacqueline Kennedy fell in love with his designs and ordered 6 haute couture dresses, and later got married in a Valentino gown when she married the Greek tycoon Onassis. His name has since become symbiotic for exquisite wedding gowns made of silk and French lace.

But slowly younger designers came on the scene and took over, and the old romantics such as Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and the other big Haute Couture designers slowly became outdated. The market wanted more than just ruffles and lace.

Valentino became IT again!

Chiuri and Piccioli - who also designed Fendi’s popular Baguette, joined the Valentino house in 1999, and pushed for a younger and broader audience and easier line, and the strategy worked. In 2013 they launched the “Rockstud” shoes, which fast became the IT shoes, and the first shoes to become more relevant than Louboutin. They were elegant with sophisticated lines, feminine but with tough details, and in contrast to Louboutin, very comfortable. The Fashion House quickly sent out a whole line with the rockstuds – sunglasses, bags and accessories. The launch of Rockstud marked the beginning of a new Valentino, more fresh and relevant for the time.

And the future, for now, seems to be in studs.

Rock studs. "I remember one day seeing a picture of Claire Danes, and she was wearing a pair of studded gladiator sandals. I lost it," says US Weekly Fashion Director Sasha Charnin Morrison.

Timeless and for all ages A designer become truly iconic when his or her pieces can be worn by people of all ages and styles. And now Valentino is more relevant than ever - admired and wanted with a sharp ladylike edge. And for some reason you can see celebrities of all ages wearing the whole range from the timeless classic Valentino couture to the more timely rockstud. facebook.com/lineblog instagram.com/lineyoung

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BIBA FOREVER ART DIRECTION & STYLING: NATASHA MELI PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW B. SPITERI MODEL: MADELEINE BALDACCHINO FROM SUPERNOVA HAIR: DOMINIC BARTOLO MAKE-UP: JENNIFER DIMECH LOCATION: HOTEL CASTILLE, VALLETTA

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Freeze Frame ‘Satisfaction’ beehive sequin kimono dress, ¤89; Green crystal clutch bag, ¤160, from Porto. Green earring worn as a head piece, ¤20, and emerald green necklace worn as a bracelet, ¤35, from Aldo.

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Black high-waist wide trousers, ¤65, floral light weight shrug, ¤49.95, fitted nude body shaper, ¤65, and bra, ¤49.95 pack of 2, from M&S. String pearls with diamante clasp, ¤79 per strand, from Porto; Black high heel, ¤95, from Aldo.

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Freeze Frame ‘Stella Baby’ dress, ¤75; Necklace worn as a head piece in bronze, ¤20, and earrings, ¤35, from Porto.

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M&S brown and black printed top, ¤20.95, and wide trousers, ¤38.50, on sale with black long cut vest, ¤69.95; Black high heel from Aldo, ¤99; Diamante broach on head scarf, ¤28, and black drop earrings, ¤23, from Porto. Freeze Frame crystal wrist cuff, ¤55.

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F&F buttercup yellow blouse, ¤21; F&F floral trousers, ¤36; Freeze Frame black leather belt, ¤18: Black high heel from Aldo, ¤99; Orange beaded necklace, ¤155, and orange bangle, ¤140, from Porto.

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Karen Millen floral pleated dress, ¤440, and matching floral soft jacket, ¤340; Cornflower wedge shoe, ¤99, by Aldo; Silver necklace, ¤179, silver bracelet, ¤112, silver earrings, ¤60, and nude patent handbag, ¤149, from Porto.

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Karen Millen deep magenta dress, 造275; Deco printed scarf, 造50, and brass snake style necklace, 造62, from Porto; Tie up flat sandal, 造59, from Aldo.

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OUTLETS FEATURED Porto, Portomaso Shopping Complex, St Julian’s.

Tel. 21372079.

Karen Millen, Old Theatre Street, Valletta. Tel. 99897642.

F&F, Level 2, Daniels Shopping Complex, Hamrun; Level 0, The Plaza Shopping Complex, Sliema.

Framefreeze, 18, Cathedral Street, Sliema, Tel. 7999 9943 Marks & Spencer, The Strand, Sliema.

Tel: 2133 1745. Palace Square, Valletta.

Tel: 2122 0614 ALDO Shoes & Accessories, The Point, Tigné, Sliema. Tel: 2060 1104. Mob. 9975 1057 Zachary Street, Valletta. Mob. 9989 2331 Paola Square, Paola. Mob. 9989 2332 Arkadia, Gozo. Tel: 2210 3319

Floral light weight shrug, ¤49.95, fitted nude body shaper, ¤65, and bra, ¤49.95 pack of 2, from M&S. String pearls with diamante clasp, ¤79 per strand, from Porto.

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FLOWER PO Head Turning style for all budgets

Organic horn necklace from Blue Shop, ¤55

uard dress Floral Jacq n from Kare 15

Millen, ¤1

Braccialini bag from Porto

Tropical embroidery lace drees from Karen Millen, ¤170

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Jungle print t-shirt from

Karen Millen, ¤40

Gold handmade Vitti Ferria Contin earrings from Palazzo Parisio, ¤148

OWER ans

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m O’He lasses fro lona sung

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ton Cot e Blu rom

rf f sca Sh ,¤ op 20

Orchid print tote from Karen Millen, ¤115

OUTLET DIRECTORY: O’hea Opticians, 191 The Strand, Gzira. Tel: 2131 5590. Karen Millen, Old Theatre Street, Valletta. Tel. 99897642. Porto, Portomaso Shopping Complex, St Julian’s. Tel. 2137 2079. Palazzo Parisio, 29 Victory Square, Naxxar. Tel: 2141 2461. Blue Shop, 37 merchants street, Valletta. Tel. 99748071 31

QUEEN OF SOHO

As the Member Relations Director of Soho House, a private members club for people in the creative industries, Vanessa Xuereb oversees every House in the world, making sure the members’ experience is simply perfect. Those who know her describe her as friendly, fun and loyal – the best combination no doubt for keeping everything shipshape. » 32

Portrait photographs of Vanessa by Magnus Hastings

Age: Old enough to know better – 43.

Nationality: Half Maltese and half English, the best of both worlds.

Quote for life: ‘Treat your pony how you’d like to be treated yourself.’ My mum bought me an apron as a little girl with this quote on it. It has been my biggest life lesson and I always think about its relevance.

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SOHO HOUSE IS HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR SO MANY OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE CREATIVES FROM FILM, FASHION, DESIGN, MUSIC AND ART

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W hen did you move to London?

London has always been my home, really. As a child I did, however, spend my summers in Malta from the moment school broke up, for months on end. When I was rebelling as a teenager I lived in Malta for a year. At 21 I had an accident which resulted in a head injury and my mum then sent me

back out to Malta as she knew I was always at my happiest there. I was able to heal in Malta and I am so blessed to have been given the best of both worlds.

How long have you been working for Soho House?

How would you describe Soho House and what does it offer guests and members?

I’ve worked for Soho House since the beginning of 1998, so long, Nick has given me the nickname ‘Queen Vanessa’.

How often do you come to Malta?

How did you land the job?

Soho House is home away from home for so many of our members who are creatives from film, fashion, design, music and art.

I come whenever I can, at least three or four times a year. I travel so often for work that whenever I have a moment or a holiday, I am straight onto Air Malta!

I covered my friend’s shift on reception and never left.

What do you come here for?

It’s so much fun, mainly because I get the chance to meet people. I’ve been meeting new people every day since I started. Work is and has always been exciting, and it’s never been the same day twice. I love what I do and I pinch myself sometimes that I have managed to fall into this life.

I come for pleasure and to see my friends and family. I have friends in Malta that I’ve had for my whole life.

How would you describe Malta?

Where my heart lives.

How would you describe your job, from the start up until now?

Which is your favourite venue and why?

I divide my time across all of the Houses – one minute I am in LA, the next Chicago, then Berlin and, of course, London where I live. I have had the pleasure of opening all the Houses except for our original, at 40 Greek Street, London, which means all the Houses have a piece of me in it. I love all my children equally... if I had ruby slippers I’d be able to click my heels together and go wherever I felt like going! » 35

«We are very good at creating a house which echoes the city and area around it. Some days I feel like the West Hollywood vibe and sometimes I just want to be taken to Berlin!

Shoreditch House in London working in Malta?

What I do see working in Malta is one of our hotels and restaurants. I’d love that to happen one day… I’m always asking Nick, as it would be my dream.

How and who and what do you think makes this company so enterprising and successful? What are you busy with now? What’s next?

A fantastic workforce and an amazing founder, Nick Jones. We all feel like a family and Nick has a great team around him. The entrepreneurial spirit runs through the business – there are so many stories like mine: people who started as waiting staff or on the front desk and now run parts of the business. Plus, we’re always trying to improve and get better – that is a driving ethos in the business.

Do you see a members club like Soho House’s

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Right now I’m busy preparing for the Barcelona opening – but, of course, that’s not before my trip to Malta. I’m very much in need of a trip home to our rock and a swim in our beautiful sea. I have just returned from a couple of months in the US where I opened Ludlow House on the Lower East Side in NYC and Little Beach House in Malibu.

Soho House Barcelona opens at the start of October 2016, bedrooms are open to the public and can be booked at www.sohohousebarcelona.com

WE ARE VERY GOOD AT CREATING A HOUSE WHICH ECHOES THE CITY AND AREA AROUND IT.

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ICELAND

With love for the heroic Euro 2016 underdogs exploding across social media like the infamous Eyjafjallajoekull Volcano, it would seem that Iceland has come in from the cold isolation of the Arctic Circle. Dini Martinez explores...

W

ith their volcanic victory clap and Viking brand of football, the tiny nation of Iceland has entered the hearts of everyone who has ever rooted for ‘the little guy’. With a mere 330,000 inhabitants, the chances of ending up in the national league for males between 20 and 40 years old are a striking one in 2,000! But what else can the Nordic nation be proud of, other than their recent football exploits? Well, several of nature’s most spectacular exhibitions,

one of the world’s highest rankings in gender equality and a global example of sustainable energy.

In fact, Iceland had already featured in the media in 2008 due to its disastrous financial breakdown. But even that took a rapid turn for the good, with bankers being jailed, having been held responsible for their irresponsible actions, and an enviable economic recovery others could only dream off.

cry from the giddy days when the Kaupthing bankers hosted parties for clients aboard luxury yachts in St Tropez and Monte Carlo.

Kviabryggja Prison in western Iceland does not need walls, razor wire, or guard towers to keep the convicts inside. Alone

on a wind-swept cape, the old farmhouse is bound by the frigid North Atlantic on one side and fields of snowcovered lava rock on another. To the east looms Snaefellsjokull, a dormant volcano blanketed by a glacier. There is only one road back to civilisation. »

Jailed bankers

Iceland may be a faraway and sparsely populated country, but it is to be admired for being the only nation to ever put top financial executives behind bars. Spending their days doing laundry, working out in the jailhouse gym, browsing the Internet and going for walks amidst stunning scenery might not be a tough life, but it’s a far 39

« Stunning Scenery For most visitors, Iceland is not a destination, it is an adventure. In geographic terms, it is a vast mass of basalt lava that has erupted from a hotspot lying below the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The plates of the crust are moving apart beneath the island, causing the eruption of many volcanoes and geysers.

Landscape-wise this translates into roaring volcanoes, mosscovered lava fields, barren highlands, monolithic glaciers, icy mountains and deep, dramatic fjords. The glaciers in

Vatnajökull and Snæfellsnes national parks are popular for ice climbing, hiking and snowmobiling.

Otherworldly vistas of the aurora borealis can often be seen in winter. In summer, the midnight sun shines over the island of Grimsey, off the northern coast, while the remainder of the country experiences a twilight period including two weeks of continuous daylight! In brief, this spectacular Nordic island is a Mecca for photographers and it is no surprise that it has become a favourite filming spot for Hollywood movies! »

Top: Glacier lagoon Above: The spetacular aurora borealis (Northern Lights) Left: The glaciers in Vatnajökull

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« Rugged culture Icelandic culture has also been shaped by isolation and the extreme forces of nature. These conditions have created a resilient people whose family ties are close, sense of tradition strong, and bond with nature uniquely tight.

Cultural enthusiasts will be surprised by the widespread love of literature in a country whose literacy rate is among the highest in the world.

Storytelling began as far back as the 10th and 11th century with the esteemed Icelandic Sagas, when European settlers first started to populate the country.

Museums around the country celebrate Iceland’s rich cultural heritage and tradition. The capital, Reykjavik, offers a renowned nightlife scene as well as the Viking history museums. There are also four active folk dance ensembles in the land of fire and ice; strong traditions in weaving, silver-smithing and wood carving – not to mention its utterly unique and unforgettable cuisine.

This includes pickled ram’s testicles, putrefied shark, singed sheep head jam and Brennivin, an Icelandic liquor made from potatoes and caraway.

Top: Snæfellsnes national parks Above: The capital city, Reykjavik Below: The volcanic gem of farmland and wilderness Below right: The island of Grimsey

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99 PER CENT OF THE COUNTRY’S ELECTRICITY COMES FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES

Sustainable energy A small country by any standards, Iceland has a high standard of living, extensive political freedom, and has taken an active role in sustainable development and commitment to the environment. Iceland’s president Olafur Grimsson travels the world extolling the virtues of geothermal power which heats the entire capital of Reykjavik and the vast majority of the island’s households. In fact, the sparsely populated country is now the leading exporter of geothermal expertise to the rest of the world.

A striking 99 per cent of the country’s electricity comes from renewable sources – a third from geothermal and two-thirds from dams. With such cheap, widely available energy and widespread internet connection, it is no secret that both Google and Microsoft have looked at Iceland to feed the enormous power needs of their massive data centres. Moreover, current efforts are aimed at using the island’s vast supplies of renewable energy to power its fishing fleet and motor vehicles through conversion to hydrogen fuel.

Geothermal waters also promote wellness and energy at one of Iceland’s most visited attractions, the Blue Lagoon – an expansive spa landscape with sauna, pools, restaurants and accommodation located in the heart of a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula only 20 km from the international airport.

Top: Volcanic basalt columns in Grimsey Above: The grey seal Below: Puffins

Fishing and Wildlife Other popular tourist activities are fishing and whale-watching. Historically, Iceland’s economy depended heavily on fishing and whaling and although both still play an economic role, they are declining in importance. Nevertheless, most rural towns are still based on the fishing industry. Closer to land, one might spot grey seals, harbor seals, puffins, skuas and even the occasional polar bear visiting on a floating iceberg from Greenland.

A few more peculiarities Most Icelanders don’t have a last name.

It is most common for everyone to bathe together naked in pools and the ocean – even during teambuilding work events and similar occasions.

Despite the cold, the Icelanders love their BBQ year round.

The last mayor of the capital was a stand-up comedian and had zero political experience prior to assuming office. The current mayor of Reykjavik is a doctor.

The national team’s goalkeeper is a filmmaker who directed the video for the country’s 2012 Eurovision Song Contest entry.

And – ending on another football fact after all – almost 10 per cent of Iceland’s population went to France to watch their team compete in the 2016 Euro Cup. In summary – if there is one – the land of light and darkness simply defies any kind of definition!

43

THE MALTESE

PIPER

By Albert Delia. Photography by Jonathan Borg

F

or the second time in recent months I find myself navigating the streets of Rabat in sweltering heat to carry out an interview. After several twists, turns and telephone calls to determine exactly where the meeting is taking place, I park on the outskirts of the town, surrounded by fields and the sound of crickets. It’s a typical, hot, lazy summer afternoon and Francesco Sultana greets me outside his house and invites me inside. 45

«We sit down at a large wooden table in a room on the roof and he spreads out before me a variety of traditional Maltese instruments, including the one that will most likely occupy most of the conversation today – ‘iż-żaqq’. We start off with a little introduction: Francesco is a 24year-old qualified restorer, an archery instructor, he plays the drums and makes traditional Maltese instruments by hand – and he also enjoys competitive mountain biking. I am impressed and as I start shifting in my chair I can’t help but think that perhaps I should be more produc-

tive with my spare time.

The interview is good-humoured and little time is spared before diving into the intended subject: how did someone in his mid-twenties get involved with making traditional musical instruments? The context here is instrumental: Francesco is a musician and restorer with an academic background that is heavy in history. Throw in more than a pinch of ‘can do’ attitude and add a good helping of being good with one’s hands and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a historical instrument maker.

It all started with an optional credit at university that first introduced him to these pieces. As part of the evaluation of this credit he made his first simple whistle out of a reed (qasab) known as a ‘bedbut’. From then he moved on to making other musical instruments such as a ‘żummara’ – a kazoo made out of a reed with a single hole that has greaseproof paper placed over the mouthpiece to produce a particularly rasping sound when it is played. Interestingly enough, exactly the same name is used for a double clarinet in Egypt. Francesco’s collec-

design has not been tinkered with much over the years – something that Francesco intends to remedy.

However, there is one Maltese instrument in particular that demonstrates a degree of evolution ‘iż-żaqq’. Trying to exactly describe a żaqq in writing is not as easy as you might think, primarily because no matter how you put it, it will sound somewhat surreal. At first glance, this instrument appears to be a hybrid of a stuffed animal and a wind instrument.

The sound comes out of two simple reed flutes joined together. One of the flutes,

AT FIRST GLANCE, THIS INSTRUMENT APPEARS TO BE A HYBRID OF A STUFFED ANIMAL AND A WIND INSTRUMENT. THE SOUND COMES OUT OF TWO SIMPLE REED FLUTES JOINED TOGETHER tion of hand-made wind instruments also contains a ‘fifra’ and ‘flejguta’ which are akin to simple penny-whistles or recorders, with a varying number of finger holes but generally five.

This little demonstration of traditional woodwinds served as a good introduction to the instruments themselves, but to truly understand them an explanation of their history provides a more holistic interpretation. These instruments were used primarily in rural settings as a simple means of entertainment; they were not made or played by musicians or people with a musical background. In fact, all that was needed to make these flutes and whistles was a simple whittling knife, a piece of reed and a bit of experience. Although this means that these instruments where readily available, they could hardly be described as ‘precision engineered’ and were therefore somewhat limited in range.

It could be said that, unlike most instruments one might find in an orchestra, these pieces have never had the opportunity to evolve at the hands of trained musicians. To provide one example, while pianos developed from harpsichords and harpsichords from clavichords, these Maltese instruments have arguably remained unchanged for time immemorial. Their 46

the drone, provides a continuous note and does not

have much variety, whereas the other has a wider spectrum of notes and is used to produce the melody. The rest of the instrument is a preserved young goat, generally male for reasons of practicality.

The animal pelt is tanned, retaining the fur and all, and the shape is kept as intact as possible, with the wind instruments placed in the neck and the player blowing through one of the feet. This ‘bag’ serves as a reser-

voir of air that allows the musician to breathe while maintaining continuous play and controlling the flow of air to the flutes.

Francesco made his żaqq himself from scratch, with some assistance as it is most certainly a laborious, timeconsuming and somewhat gruesome process. The final product lies in front of me and I must admit that it looks fascinating. My initial instinct is to pet it but this is quickly replaced with wanting to take a photo of it. Seeing me pointing my phone, Francesco tells me that the żaqq looks better filled up, and proceeds to inflate it. It is at this point that reality hits me and before me stands an inflated goat on a wooden table. The instrument looks neat yet primitive and is, to all intents and purposes, an object that leaves one with the impression that, clearly, the underlying principle here cannot have changed for centuries.

Francesco tells me that all these instruments were intended more as an innovative means of making sound rather than harmonious and melodic music. Since most of the people who played them could not read or write

music, the repertoire of tunes known to have been played on the żaqq is extremely limited. Some might venture to say there is only one: Id-Diska tal-Hammarun, named after the person who used to play it and only relatively recently finally transposed to sheet music by Ruben Zahra.

Being a band member himself, Francesco wants to inject some variety. He wants to expand the repertoire of music that makes use of these instruments – despite the fact that – due to varying environmental factors – these instruments are difficult and temperamental to play at times. He recalls how he needed to warm up his żaqq for quite some time before playing it in front of Queen Elizabeth II because it simply did not want to cooperate!

After seeing what he has managed to achieve so far, and having heard him play a few times with his band Plato’s Dream Machine – which uses modern instruments – I am sure that if these traditional instruments are to be successfully introduced into the contemporary music scene it will be at the hands of musicians like Francesco.

GLOBAL FACTS AND FIGURES ON AND AROUND

CHILDREN THE UNICEF

ESTIMATES THAT AN AVERAGE OF

44% 4%

of US kids watch of US candy television before consumption they go to sleep occurs on the day of Halloween

BIRTHS

The of nearly one fourth of the global population of children under five have never been registered.

WORLDWIDE, ABOUT ONE IN

FOUR BIRTHS

TAKE PLACE WITHOUT

THE ASSISTANCE

OF A SKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANT.

IN 2015 ALONE,

THIS TRANSLATED INTO MORE THAN

There are still

27 MILLION

Almost

40 MILLION

UNATTENDED

BIRTHS BOY THREE OUT OF

IN LOW- AND

GIRLS FOUR OF THE LATTER

17 MILLION ARE EXPECTED

NEVER TO ENTER

SCHOOL.

BABIES

ARE BORN EACH DAY. IN 2015, ONE IN EIGHT BABIES WERE BORN IN

CONFLICT ZONES. Malta ranks as 188th country with a birth rate of

10.24/1,000

inhabitants.

Niger with 46.12 ranks the highest and Monaco with 6.72 the lowest. The average global birth rate lies just under 20.

MIDDLE-INCOME

and 31 MILLION

of primary school age out of school.

353,000

COUNTRIES.

children receive some breastmilk past one year, but less than half are breastfed until the recommended two years or longer.

I N M A LTA IN 1999, 2000 AND 2001

THERE WERE ONLY FOUR DELIVERIES EACH YEAR BY MOTHERS OVER 45 YEARS OF AGE.

THE AVERAGE CHILD USING DIAPERS GOES THROUGH MORE THAN 5,000, ALL OF WHICH END UP BURIED IN LANDFILL. IT TAKES HUNDREDS OF YEARS FOR DIAPERS TO DECOMPOSE.

AUTISM

IS ABOUT

4.5 TIMES

MORE COMMON AMONG BOYS THAN AMONG GIRLS. 49

If we recycled every newspaper, we can save

The fear of

PEANUT BUTTER

27%

STICKING TO THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH IS CALLED ARACHIBUTYROPHOBIA.

THERE WERE

250 MILLION TREES

every year! In the US, only

27% OF NEWSPAPERS are RECYCLED.

4,277 REGISTERED

LIVE BIRTHS IN 2014 AT THE PUBLIC

REGISTRY IN MALTA AND GOZO, UP BY 4.9 PER CENT OVER 2013, OF WHICH 53% WERE BOYS.

KIDS EAT FOUR hard and chewy candies for every one eaten by adults who prefer to eat chocolate.

WORLDWIDE,

ABOUT ONE IN

SEVERAL TWO-THIRDS MEDICAL of the STUDIES

774 MILLION

ILLITERATE

PEOPLE

EATING CHOCOLATE

IN MODERATION COULD ACTUALLY PROLONG A PERSON’S LIFE BY REDUCING THE RISK OF BLOOD CLOTS FORMING AND ITS ABILITY TO

FIGHT BAD CHOLESTEROL.

IN THE

In GERMANY, school kids are given a massive cone WORLD ARE (Schultüte) on their first of school, filled with FEMALE. day sweets, snacks, art supplies, lunch boxes, little books and small gifts.

50%

FOUR BIRTHS

TAKE PLACE The consumption of WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A SKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANT. IN 2015 ALONE, THIS TRANSLATED INTO MORE TEASPOONS THAN 40 MILLION of SUGAR per UNATTENDED day can reduce BIRTHS IN immune system LOW- AND FUNCTIONING MIDDLE-INCOME by up to 50%.

COUNTRIES.

20

50

HAVE SHOWN THAT

• THE AVERAGE UK FAMILY THROWS AWAY SIX TREES WORTH OF PAPER EACH YEAR. • EACH CHRISTMAS AS MUCH AS 83 SQUARE KILOMETRES OF WRAPPING PAPER ENDS UP IN UK RUBBISH BINS. • IF THE WHOLE WORLD LIVED LIKE THE AVERAGE AMERICAN, WE WOULD NEED 5 EARTHS TO SUSTAIN US.

MALTESE

BABY NAMES

REGISTERED WITH THE PUBLIC REGISTRY IN 2015 INCLUDE JACK DANIELS, XEMX, MARVELLOUS, DELYTH, LELE AND ALA, AS WELL AS LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, GIFT, PRINCE, PRINCESS, AND EVEN SULTAN. ACCORDING TO UN AND WHO RECOMMENDATIONS, INFANTS SHOULD BE

BREASTFED WITHIN ONE HOUR OF BIRTH, BREASTFED

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

OF LIFE AND CONTINUE TO BE BREASTFED UP TO TWO YEARS OF AGE AND BEYOND. OF THE 140 MILLION LIVE BIRTHS IN 2015, ONLY

45

PERCENT

OF NEWBORNS WERE PUT TO THE BREAST WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR OF LIFE.

REFERENCES: UN, WHO, Official government websites, Wikipedia

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THE MONEY AND PEOPLE MANAGER Hamburg-born Andreas TĂśdtem is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Tipico, responsible for finance as well as legal affairs. He tells FIRST about his sometimes challenging but always highly interesting job.

52

W

hat’s a typical day in the life of the CFO at Tipico.

It is very much about responsibilities and about managing people. Most people think that I work with figures every day, but this is not the case. I am responsible for the financial statements, budgeting process and all that you would expect, but my job is very much about managing people. I think the number crunching is actually mainly done by the team and I rely on them to perform their duties perfectly.

I am also in charge of legal affairs and although I studied some law I am not a lawyer, so I need to weigh different opinions and legal advice, which is not always straightforward. I get strong support from the legal team and we also

I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF HOW OPEN-MINDED TIPICO PEOPLE ARE WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING TOGETHER AND ALSO WHEN IT COMES TO FACING CHANGES. COMING FROM THE BANKING WORLD, I MUST SAY IT’S NOT SOMETHING I WOULD OFTEN SEE THERE AS CHANGE WAS NOT WELCOME

incorporate the advice of external lawyers, but in the end I am responsible for the decisions we make.

How long have you been with Tipico?

Just over three years. I started off in a German-South African joint venture in the oil industry and worked there for eight years. I spent a lot of time going back and forth between the two countries and at one point I was responsible for the consolidation of 12 companies.

After that I joined a mergers and acquisition consultancy firm in Germany, where I stayed for six years, following which I moved to Credit Suisse for another six years and then Tipico.

Why did you decide to take that step?

I wanted to step back into the corporate world. Twelve years of advisory work is quite a lot and I started to feel that working for a bank

I LOOK AT HOW WE HAVE BUILT UP TIPICO FROM QUITE A SMALL COMPANY AND DEVELOPED IT INTO A VERY SUCCESSFUL CORPORATION

BY PUTTING THE PROPER PROCESSES IN PLACE

could be a little depressing.

When I was offered this job, I first listened to the shareholders explaining Tipico’s success and I became very interested. I had no experience in the gaming industry, but I heard that it was very dynamic and I wanted to become part of that success story.

I also enjoy working with my colleagues, even when we sit together in our board meetings and go through some of the more challenging aspects of the business. When we agree on something, get things off the table and get them done, I feel that it has been a good day.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your position?

What are the qualities you look for in prospective employees?

I think it is the time constraints under which we work – it is quite stressful from time to time, especially as the end of the year and the new budget phase approaches. And when we finish with the budget, we have to run it through an audit process that is usually quite challenging.

There are also external factors in terms of licences and various jurisdictions where we have licenses: from time to time they can be challenging because the administrator continuously comes up with changes and adjustments and we need to apply them and maintain them all.

We look for people with an entrepreneurial spirit who work well in a team. They should have the right skills, obviously, but should also be prepared to develop their own jobs on a continuous basis as part of the dynamic process of continuous change.

We need all sorts of people – from financial and legal people for my department to IT developers in different fields and analytical people, to people with different language and franchise skills.

I am extremely proud of how openminded Tipico people are when it comes to working together and also when it comes to facing changes.

Coming from the banking world, I must say it’s not something I would often see there as change was not welcome.

And what gives you the greatest satisfaction?

I look at how we have built up Tipico from quite a small company and developed it into a very successful corporation by putting the proper processes in place. And having put these processes in place, we found that with additional employees constantly coming on board, we needed to train them not just on the existing processes but to develop new, effective and updated ones as we went along. It was a ‘lived through’ process, and one that we decided to start putting down in a sort of manual to formalise these processes that we were developing.

When we talked about this project with the teams they welcomed the idea and really took it on board. All the different teams went away and worked on it, coming up with a process that unifies and explains all the different work streams. I was really proud of the effort everyone willingly put into that.

What’s it like for you to have your main office in Malta?

As someone who comes from the northern part of Germany, this southern part of Europe offers some differences. I obviously enjoy the weather and the sunshine, but what I find really nice are the people.

I think Malta is a truly international country with different nationalities that live and work together. The Maltese themselves are a very open people.

They have their groups where they meet together but my experience is that they are extremely open to accepting other cultures and are really friendly.

Find out more about working for Tipico at www.tipico-careers.com 53

DEALING WITH A DILEMMA

Dear Claire

I work as personal assistant to the managing director. He is cordial and kind but has very high expectations and keeps giving me additional tasks that do not always fall within my job description. I am not always comfortable with what is asked of me and my initial reaction is always to refuse politely but somehow I never manage this and always end up agreeing. I feel he is now taking me for granted and am worried that if I stand up for myself it will have a negative impact on my situation. How can I deal with this situation?

O

ne syllable, two letters: NO. This is one of the very first words we learn as soon as we start to talk and yet, as we grow older, some of us lose the confidence to use it in specific situations and become ‘people-pleasers’. It is a word associated with negativity and yet deciding to take such a stand can be very beneficial at work as well as in our private lives. Depending on the 54

circumstances, it reduces anxiety, prevents accidents and can even save lives. The ability to refuse is a sign of power and control over various aspects of our lives.

There are several reasons why a person finds it difficult to say ‘No’, ranging from genuine compassion and a willingness to help, to wanting to be liked and accepted, to avoid conflict or to maintain total control. And yet, becoming burdened with too many activities is not only physically but also emotionally exhausting, and will eventually lead to resentment and frustration. The negative effects will not be confined to work, but will affect your

personal and family life. It will also put you at greater risk of missing deadlines, making mistakes and failing. It would be so much better to accept work on projects within your area of expertise and to accept new challenges and opportunities which you are certain you can handle.

If you have had this job for some time, you may be worried that it is now too late to change your ways without any negative repercussions. The trick is in learning to say ‘No’ clearly and assertively, but always in an acceptable manner. Start slowly and take time to evaluate any proposal, so that the next

time you are asked to do something, ask specific questions to establish exactly is involved. Rather than giving a direct answer, I suggest that you sleep on it. Analyse whether or not you are capable of doing what is asked with the resources available and within the stipulated timeframe. Explore how you feel and whether you really want to do it. If you would rather not, come up with a polite response backed up by an acceptable reason for declining.

Keep in mind that your boss is now used to you complying with all his requests, and may therefore be somewhat taken aback and displeased by your refusal. He may try to flatter you into agreeing, or try to persuade you otherwise, but if you are convinced, then you should stand by your decision.

It stands to reason that you cannot refuse to perform a task that falls within your responsibility unless you are just too busy, in which case you should arrange a meeting to clarify matters. Instead of saying ‘No’, you should explain the situation and ask for him to prioritise the pending job list. Instead of appearing insubordinate, this way you are allowing him to direct you into what needs immediate attention and what can be either rescheduled or completely omitted.

You may wish to decline doing a job that you feel you can tackle more efficiently in a different way to that being asked of you. In this case, politely ask if you can make a suggestion. This will show that you take your job seriously and are trying to make an

THE TRICK IS IN LEARNING TO SAY ‘NO’ CLEARLY AND ASSERTIVELY, BUT ALWAYS IN AN ACCEPTABLE MANNER. START SLOWLY AND TAKE TIME TO EVALUATE ANY PROPOSAL

active contribution. Your boss may either welcome your suggestion or insist you do it his way.

Ultimately, whatever he says goes. If he insists on sticking to his guns, then he may have some further information to which you may not be privy. In any case, you will still have made a positive impression.

As a personal assistant, there may be times when you are required to go in early to prepare for a meeting or stay late to entertain clients. So how do you say ‘No’ in this case? While working longer hours is not fun, you cannot avoid it altogether.

However, should the need arise because you simply cannot make it, you may – with the managing

director’s blessing – find a competent substitute within the company who is willing to stand in for you. Brief him or her about what will be required and confirm with your boss that the new arrangements are okay with him.

Being intransigent and always unavailable will make you unpopular both at work and at home, but it is important for each and every one of us to be able to say ‘No’ as and when necessary. By being a total ‘people pleaser’ you are doing yourself a great disservice. Never be afraid of – or feel guilty about – saying ‘No’. The trick lies in saying it politely but firmly.

55

Butternut Squash & Chorizo Salad

(SERVES 10-12 PEOPLE)

A hearty and delicious roasted vegetable dish with a hint of spice and smokiness.

INGREDIENTS 3kg butternut squash, cut into chunks, 100g honey, Thyme, 500g chorizo, 1kg onions, Salt, pepper, parsley and olive oil 56

METHOD Heat the oven to 185°C/165 fan/Gas mark 4.

Toss the butternut squash with the honey, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil.

Spread on a baking sheet, place in an ovenproof dish and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Cut the chorizo into small cubes and roast in the oven for five minutes.

Cut the onion into chunky pieces, drizzle with oil, and grill or roast until soft.

Chop the parsley.

Gently toss all ingredients together and transfer to a serving plate. Season to taste with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

When planning a cold buffet remember: • A side of roast salmon or barbecued meats makes as great centre piece. Lay everything out for easy and relaxed entertaining.

• With salads, go for a variety of textures, colours and food groups such as a grain or pasta salad, a potato salad and a vibrant watermelon salad.

• Serve different breads and crackers • Jars with well-fitting lids are great for salad dressings. Shake to combine ingredients and use on individual portions to avoid wilted salad leaves.

• Serve two or three desserts, again opting for different shapes and textures – for example, a crisp lemon tart, a tiramisu and a bowl of exotic fruit salad or berries and cream.

SUMMER ENTERTAINING

Chef Charlot from Fifth Flavour shares some light and luscious side dishes, best enjoyed al fresco with family and friends.

Watermelon and feta salad (SERVES 10-12 PEOPLE)

This simple, no cook and super refreshing summer salad goes well with barbecued meats like chicken and pork.

INGREDIENTS 2kg watermelon, we use seedless but otherwise remove seeds, 500g feta cheese, Handful of fresh mint, finely chopped, plus few leaves to garnish, Salt, pepper and olive oil to taste

METHOD Dice the watermelon and place in a bowl. Mix in the finely chopped mint and season according to taste. Chill in fridge.

Prior to serving, crumble feta cheese on top and sprinkle a few more mint leaves to garnish.

CHEF’S TOP TIP: When planning your menu remember that, unless there is room for everyone to be seated at a table, some of your guests will be eating with a fork only, one-handed. So serve meats and salads in bite-sized pieces.

For enquiries about the Fifth Flavour Buffet Menu email fifthflavour@artisanfoods.com.mt or call Artisan Foods on 21431306.

57

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59

LAST WORD

Giulia Pandolfino has just graduated from the London College of Fashion after receiving a first class honours degree in Fashion Contour. Photograph by Matthew B. Spiteri

W

hy did you choose fashion design?

I’ve always been creative and loved sketching and painting. I also used to alter the clothes I bought to make them fit me better since I am petite, so I guess that was the start of it all. I chose the perfect course for me – one that focuses on the design and development of garments that contour the body, such as lingerie, swimwear and sportswear.

What work experience have you had so far?

I was a lingerie design assistant Marks and Spencer in London, and a swimwear and accessories design intern at La Perla in Bologna.

Being able to live in Italy for six months was an unforgettable experience and being able to work and learn from such skilled people as those at La Perla has taught me a lot. All the stages, from design and production to sales and marketing, are done under the same roof which is, sadly, a shame for a fashion brand because it encourages the staff to work seamlessly together like a well-oiled machine.

My last internship was working in the production department at a London-based swimwear brand called Prism. I learnt a lot about what goes into running a swimwear brand from both the creative perspective and also as a viable business.

Who and what influences your fashion design?

I am drawn to texture, colour and intricate detail. I also like to keep wearability in mind, as although some designs may be beautiful on paper they might not be so flattering in 3D.

SINCE SWIMWEAR ON THE HIGH STREET IS ALWAYS THE SAME TRIANGLE TOP AND STRING TIE BIKINI BOTTOM CUT WITH DIFFERENT PRINTS, I LIKE TO FOCUS ON STYLE LINES THAT ARE FLATTERING TO THE BODY AND UNIQUE. 60

Is there a ‘fashionista’ celebrity you don t particularly like?

I don’t quite understand why people love Alexa Chung; I find her style to be overrated – but that’s just my opinion!

Do you follow any fashion blogs?

Since I’m really into swimwear design I follow the blog called ‘A Bikini a Day’. They often post designer interviews, so it’s really interesting to hear about a brand from the creative directors themselves. I also follow a few fashion bloggers on Instagram.

What are you working on now?

I am looking into launching a small swimwear collection for Spring/Summer 2017 under the name ‘ISLND SWIM’. This is still in its early stages so hopefully things will work out!

How do you think you can be original or stand out?

Since swimwear on the high street is always the same triangle top and string tie bikini bottom cut with different prints, I like to focus on style lines that are flattering to the body and unique. I also like to add textured design details to my garments that overlay vibrant summer tones.

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to launch my own resort wear brand some day, although in the near future I would like to work for a swimwear brand based in London in order to gain more experience in the field.

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Left to right: Aussie model Marco, Aussie Brand Manager Marija Mijovic and Aussie model Janice. Travel & lifestyle blogger Cassie (‘An Architect Abroad’) enjoying getting her hair Aussified by Rimvydas (owner of Remi Hairdressing). Dila and Jasmin. Dyna, Abigail, Jade, Lara, Lyndsey and Maya

social whirl

AUSSIE LAUNCH EVENT

Above: Artist, Frida Palovaara (Co-Founder of ‘Fallondrin’), Fashion & Travel Blogger Grazielle Camilleri

Aussie reached the Maltese shores this summer with an Aussome launch event at The Galley in Ta’ Xbiex to kick things off. Local bloggers, press, friends, and fans were there to celebrate to and chilled tunes, BBQ, hair Aussification (i.e. hot braids, buns and more) by Remi Hairdressing... the word of Aussie Aussomeness has been spreading like wildfire ever since.

DINE 4 DIABETES ANNUAL FUND RAISING EVENT

Above: Douglas Cairns and Karl Beetson both from the United Kingdom with Chris J. Delicata, Vice President of the Maltese Diabetes Association (centre).

Mr Cairns and Mr Beetson who both have Type 1 Diabetes carried out a 13hour journey from London to Malta to set a new world speed record with two aircraft together flying through France, across Corsica and Sardinia Top left: Ivan and Claudia Cachia Left: Mr & Mrs Jesmond Ciantar

This year’s Dine 4 Diabetes, the annual fund raising event of The Maltese Diabetes Association was held recently at the Ball Room, Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julian’s. The event was attended by around 300 guests from all walks of life. Entertainment was provided by Andreana and Vinny Vella JR and his band. The event was made possible through the support of GasanMamo Insurance Limited, GasanZammit Limited, MPS Limited, General Soft Drinks Limited, The Westin Dragonara Resort Malta, CSB Group, Vivian Corporation, Technoline Limited, V J Salomone Pharma, ATG Limited, Plaza Centres plc, P J Sutters Marketing Limited (Zappala & Citterio), Impressions Limited, Red October Limited (Averna) and Pharmachemic Limited (Photos by Photocity Digital Service, Valletta). www.diabetesmalta.org.

Lombard Bank Malta p.l.c.