SEPTEMBER 2017
THE RISE OF THE
ONE-CHILD FAMILY
BE HAPPY
RETHINKING SCHOOL + WORKPLACE
DESIGNER FASHION
HOW TO SPOT A FAKE THE BEST LUXURY WATCHES A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN ARCHITECTS
Back to school
Photograph by Alan Carville
The beginning of a new season That dreaded time of year is fast approaching when name tags have to be ironed on after shopping in the heat for school uniforms and shoes, and a list of ‘appropriate’ recipes are brought out in preparation for the packed lunches that will reveal how amazing we are as parents, and chefs, just gliding through parenthood like Mary Poppins. And if you are not a parent, well – it only means busier roads! On the flip-side, however, it means emptier beaches! So whilst I attempt to enjoy all of the above, I wish all parents out there the best of luck getting in gear for the new season, whilst welcoming back some of your own free time! It has been an inferno of a summer to contend with, and with energetic children under your feet, it’s not been easy. The soon to come, albeit short, autumn season looks as if it will be a welcome moment for everyone! This transitional period also brings a big change for me, with this being my final issue of First magazine. It has been a big part of my life for over two years and I am now ready, and excited, to be producing my own publication on art in Malta and abroad – which is my only real fascination and inspiration in life – called Artpaper. Until we meet again, embrace change and kick-back and read all the good stuff inside this issue!
EDITOR LILY AGIUS LAGIUS@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ADVERTISING & ADVERT PLACEMENTS CLAIRE BONDIN GAFA CGAFA@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT DESIGNER CONRAD BONDIN CBONDIN@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDRE CAMILLERI ACAMILLERI@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT ARTWORK COORDINATOR CHRISTINE SPITERI CMIFSUD@INDEPENDENT.COM.MT CONTRIBUTORS ANGELA MALLIA, ANTONELLA AXISA, ARABELLA HOGG, DINI MARTINEZ, DUSHA LIA, ELISA KRANZ, GABRIELA GHERGHEL, JULIAN CARDONA, LINE YOUNG PETERI, MAJDA TOUMI, MARLENE VASSALLO, MATTHEW B SPITERI, ROBERT AGIUS, SIMON GRECH, STEFY ZAMMIT, TONY CASSAR DARIEN, VICTOR BORG. 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 STRIPED CARDI (¤79) AND WHITE DENIMS (¤53.40) FROM 1-2-3 PARIS. EYEGLASSES (¤189) FROM O’HEA OPTICIANS. CAPUCIUS SLIP-ONS (¤79) FROM ALDO SHOES & ACCESSORIES. ALL FROM PORTO. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW B SPITERI. FIRST IS PUBLISHED EVERY MONTH AS A COMPLIMENTARY MAGAZINE WITH THE MALTA INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY AND IS NOT TO BE SOLD SEPARATELY.
12
30
Insidethisissue 10 HONEY & ZEST
First Word with cook Stefy Zammit
12 SCHOOL DAZE
This issue’s fashion photo-shoot
21 MILLENNIEL PINK
Arabella Hogg takes a rose-tinted view of fashion
22 TIME PIECE
The best luxury watches at the moment
24 LUXURY FASHION
How to spot a fake!
28 POP ART
32 UNLOCKING TALENT
We meet the business motivator Elisa Schrantz, founder of Baton & Baton
40 FOOD FOR CHILDREN
What to feed a growing body and mind, and recipes
54 LAST WORD
With actress Antonella Axisa
28
54
Tony Cassar Darien appreciates Steve Kauffman, and his promotor
30 STINGRAYS IN BANGKOK
River tales of the Maeklong by Victor Borg
36 26 WOMEN ARCHITECTS Simon Grech pays homage to the creators of iconic architecture and designs
35 STAY HAPPY
Rethinking school and the workplace
8
48
42 THE ONE-CHILD FAMILY Dini Martinez explores the phenomenon
first word
Just glancing at her website will make your mouth water. For all those in favour of healthy but fulfilling meals – this is your lady in shining pans. Stefy Zammit describes herself as a dreamer and she certainly has turned things around – from being a real estate agent to a landlady, to a cook and work away on her website Honey and Zest creating recipes. Photo by Baskal Mallia
The objects I would never part with are...
my pen and
notepad, as I am lost without them.
An indulgence I would never give up is... taking care of my body and mind.
The thing you will always find in my fridge is... a cold, glass bottle of water.
If I could get away for the day it would have to be to... Wales, to trek and eat good food, have a cup of tea by the fireplace and read a book – mmm, I wish I was there! One thing I never get round to doing and wish to is... open a holistic B&B and run it.
If had no choice but to change my line of work I would love to be... a psychologist.
My most luxurious habit is... visiting a spa.
Burj Khalifa in Dubai
You will never find me... sharing my bottle of water. I will not function in the morning without... half-an-hour of Victoria sponge cake with strawberries and cream. Photo by Rene Rossignaud
my own peace and solitude before the world wakes up.
The best invention is... the internet. What makes me happiest is... Jack my beagle, family and friends.
Dublin
My favourite space in my house is... definitely the kitchen, as I spend a lot of time creating and cooking recipes.
The last song I listened to was...
go for a walk with my dog in solitude amidst greenery.
Something Just Like This by Coldplay. I love the band.
The one characteristic I wish I had is... more diligence and not
The most inspirational person in my life is... Katharine Hepburn. Through
I would like to learn how to... play the saxophone.
her acting and her life she helped redefine the traditional views of women’s role in society.
The book I am reading is... Women who run with the wolves – a fascinating collection of stories interpreted by women in search of their own inner spirit regardless of age, race, creed or religion – it is simply wonderful.
The most unforgettable place I have visited is... The Alps. It was a fantastic time, full of love, good food and plenty of exercise.
My most recent find is... an online organic vegetable and
The last place I visited was... Dublin The last thing I added to my wardrobe is... another
fruit site, www.farmersdelimalta.com. Nike
sportswear item, because I live in them.
10
The only way I know how to switch off is... to
The website I will often browse is... my own. The most beautiful building in the world is... Burj Khalifa in
The best gift I have received recently is... a cookbook from my
Dubai.
10-year-old nephew who bought it from a book fair with his pocket money to thank me for often making him his favourite smoothies. I melted.
The most spectacular city in the world is... Paris. It is just such a majestic city and I have very fond memories of it.
to procrastinate.
What I really admire is... standing up for what you believe in and being strong.
The one thing that gets me down is... bad manners. I’m so thankful for... life. My most recent collaboration was with... SHE Malta. I met two wonderful ladies, Julia Perry and Sass Woods, founders of SHE Malta of whom I have grown very fond, and I provided the catering for their second event which was all about empowering women in business. This is a subject about which I am very passionate as I feel that, by supporting and encouraging each other, we can do whatever we set out to achieve. Find Stefy’s delicious recipes and interesting articles on her website www.honeyandzest.com and follow stefycr70 on Instagram.
12
SCHOOL DAZE
STYLING: DORIANNE MAMO FROM WWW.ASKDORIANNE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDITING: MATTHEW B SPITERI HAIR: ROBERT AGIUS FROM STRANJÉ HAIRDRESSING, ATTARD MAKE-UP: MARLENE VASSALLO FROM BLISS HAIR & MAKEUP MODEL: GABRIELA FROM MODELS M
T-shirt (¤18), denims (¤26), Jumper (¤26) and shoes (¤36) from F&F. Christian Dior Sunglasses (¤339) from O’HEA OPTICIANS. Elie Beaumont watch (¤77) and Black satchel (¤243) from PORTO. Socks are stylist’s own.
13
Red floral dress (¤28) from F&F. Etnia Barcelona specs (¤179) from O’HEA OPTICIANS. Elie Beaumont watches (¤67 and ¤77) from PORTO. 14
Cardigan (¤45) and pleated skirt (¤15) from M&S. D’Kern watch (¤189) and Cumino red bag (¤299) from PORTO. Shoes (¤36) from F&F. Socks are stylist’s own. 15
White shirt (¤65) navy blue skirt (¤99) and belt (¤65) from 1-2-3 PARIS. Necklace (¤158), Bracelet (¤243) and Black satchel (¤243) from PORTO. Capucius slip-ons (¤59) from ALDO SHOES & ACCESSORIES. 16
Shirt (¤45) from M&S. Gucci specs (¤250) from O’HEA OPTICIANS. Ukwenza necklace (¤16) from PORTO.
17
OUTLETS FEATURED: 1-2-3 PARIS Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian’s, tel. 21375781. O’HEA OPTICIANS, 191 The Strand, Gzira, tel. 21315590. F&F, The Plaza Shopping Mall, Sliema, and Pama Shopping Mall, Mosta, tel. 21437290. ALDO SHOES & ACCESSORIES, The Point Shopping Mall, Tigné, tel. 99751057, Valletta, tel. 99892331, Pama Shopping Mall, tel. 99854540, Paola, tel. 99892332, Gozo, tel. 99000106. 21315590. MARKS&SPENCER Valletta and Sliema. PORTO, Portomaso Shopping Complex, St Julian’s, tel. 21372079.
Striped jumper (¤79) from 1-2-3 PARIS. Yves Saint Laurent specs (¤266) from O’HEA OPTICIANS 18
NEW COLLECTION
NEW OPENING HOURS Monday - Saturday: 10am - 7pm Westin Dragonara Resort, St. Julians T: 21375781
www.1-2-3.fr
MILLENNIAL PINK By Arabella Hogg
eing labelled a ‘Millennial’ holds some expectations in today’s world. We are the ‘tech-savvy’ generation, with most of our communication with other people being done solely through something with a screen (just the thought of an actual conversation can sometimes make our blood run cold.) We expect everything now, with minimal effort being made to get it. Despite sounding impatient and self-entitled, we are far more tolerant and peaceful than previous generations. Millennials generally strive towards a society of acceptance (which really isn’t such a bad thing, is it?) Trends, fads and the general zeitgeist of a particular moment in time are so easily shared through forms of social media. It is a time when the whole world follows the same trends and fashions simultaneously. Gone are the days when you would have to wait for your monthly copy of Vogue to keep up to date; we get a minute-by-minute relay of the latest trends straight to our handheld devices – our fingers are always on the pulse. The most popular worldwide trend of 2017 so far (which is one of the most popular ‘hashtags’ on Instagram) has got to be ‘Millennial Pink’ – which is not just a statement colour, but a statement lifestyle. Millennials frequently use the term ‘vibes’ to describe an overall feeling of something (which could sound pretty pompous to our older peers, the ‘baby boomers’) and these blush tones are giving us total vibes. So what exactly is ‘Millennial Pink’? If you are a fan of director Wes Anderson, then you will understand what I am talking about here. He embodies the feeling of the colour within his movies – slightly off-kilter, not-quite-mainstream, yet quietly comforting. The film Grand Budapest Hotel – possibly inspiring the trend or at least enforcing it – displayed several shades of wishy-washy pastel pinks throughout, including the façade of the hotel itself. The colour cannot be pinpointed to one shade or tinge: it ranges from a pastel pink to a slightly lighter shade of salmon. What it is definitely not is anything sugary, sparkly or Barbie-toned, because beneath the seemingly banal subject of an on-trend colour, Millennial Pink loosely holds a political standpoint for the rise of modern femininity (the age-old, yet still unconquered, territory of feminism). Despite pink being one of the most widely used colours in fashion over the last few seasons, brands are shunning the ultra-girly for more unisex silhouettes and colour palettes. Pink has taken on a new identity, from crass to cool. Millennial Pink is not just a colour, it is an aesthetic that has infiltrated almost every part of your life – whether you have noticed it or not – from the magazines you read, the clothes you wear, the advertising campaigns that are marketed at you, even to the wine you drink. The rosé wine industry has boomed in the last year, with an increase in sales of a whopping 53 per cent in the USA, according to Forbes (particularly rosé from the Provence region of France, which produces wine in delicate shades of salmon pink). Will the hype last, you ask? It is inevitable that everything loses its cool and that what was once the hottest thing can fade into oblivion in an instant. We have certainly been seeing the world through rosetinted glasses this year: the longevity factor is something for which we will have to wait and see. 20
PORTO OPEN AS USUAL AT PORTOMASO SHOPPING COMPLEX BAGS
BY:
BRACCIALINI. TOSCA BLU. RIPANI. FRANCESCO BIASIA. LUPO. MAESTOSO. CARL LAICH. CHIARA P. BRIC’S. JEWELLERY BY: DANSK. COEUR DE LION. NOUR. SQUADRA BLU. GABY’S. STAMERRA. LOLA ROSE & TUTTI & CO.
PORTO, PORTOMASO SHOPPING COMPLEX, ST. JULIAN’S. TEL: 2137 2079 PORTO BOUTIQUE, HILTON HOTEL, ST. JULIANS. TEL: 2373 3765 FACEBOOK PORTO HANDBAGS AND ACCESSORIES WWW.PORT OMALTA.C OM
TIME PIECE
22
CE
I admire the ingenuity of engineering, the heritage and the passion that lies behind the glorious creation of luxury watches: it is a never-ending fascination for me. Here are a few of my current favourites – for both men and women... Dusha Lia, luxury watch dealer
The best three luxury watches for women
The Panthère de Cartier
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold
Patek Philippe Twenty~4
This is an iconic watch that owes its timelessness to the precision and proportions of its design. It is not just a time-piece, it is also a piece of jewellery.
A watch that embodies a singular, elegant design while retaining the bold character of the Royal Oak.
Created for the refined, active woman of today, this watch can be worn for all occasions and never fails to impress.
The best three luxury watches for men
Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk
Breguet – new Type xxi flyback chronograph
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II
A personal favourite of mine at the moment, this is simply a triumph of watch-making and innovation.
The grey dial, buff markings and brown leather strap gives the watch a vintage look and understated appeal.
Although technically complex, this watch is basically very simple to use and is also a great choice for both yachting enthusiasts and professional sailors alike.
The ideal first watch When looking for your first luxury watch, it is important to find a balance between form and function. Simplicity of design will assure timeless elegance and manually-wound mechanisms the durability of your time-piece. A great example would be the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso: stainless steel on an ostrich leather strap. 23
T 24
WHY WE LOVE LUXURY BRANDS Photo by Majda Toumi. Make-up from M.A.C.
and how to spot a fake?
T
If I had a secret stash of Louis Vuitton knock-offs – a pile of bags that looked and felt identical to a real Louis Vuitton bag, but were copies made of inauthentic parts – how much would they be worth? Could I sell them each for €100 less than the price for a real Louis Vuitton bag? What about at 30 per cent off? How much is authenticity worth? By Line Young Peteri
he pricing of fakes says something significant about how the human mind calculates value. For new fashion brands, it’s almost prestigious to be copied, because it shows that the item is worth copying. Why? We want the genuine, expensive bag, not because it holds our things better or is of a better quality, but because it’s the real one. How much would you pay for a fake panting? While a Rolex is a lovely piece of time-keeping machinery, the value of the watch has nothing to do with its function. Instead, it depends on the authenticity of the brand. It is easy to ridicule this behaviour as being mere snobbery. Some people might look down on those carrying Louis Vuitton luggage, or those telling people about their new Chanel bag, or wearing shoes with a big logo. Some probably assume that they’ve just wasted a lot of money on something very expensive just to show off, or because they’re struggling with low self-confidence. A clever experiment, conducted by psychologists Bruce Hood and Paul Bloom taught us that the craving for authenticity and brands is due to something much deeper. They tested 43 children between the ages of three and six. The children were shown a ‘copying machine’ – it was actually a tachistoscope that had been modified to have flashing lights and buzzers – and told that it could make an exact copy of any object. After the machine had been demonstrated for the kids – the scientists ‘copied’ a block and a rubber animal – Hood and Bloom then told the kids that the machine could also duplicate toys. A ‘stretchy man’ was then placed in the box and the illusion repeated. Interestingly, the young children actually preferred the ‘duplicate’ toy and chose it 62 per cent of the time. They weren’t worried about the ‘authenticity’ of the stretchy man. It’s the same mechanism that we have for brands. Although we outgrow stuffed animals, we never get beyond the irrational logic of authenticity and essentialism. The value of certain items depends largely on their legitimacy. We want those logos to be real and the reason for this is because the brand has effectively woven itself into our emotional brain. There are many roses in the world. But there is only one bunch of roses for me. The best brands are roses.
Five ways to spot a fake! 1. Craftsmanship. The quality is impeccable. The pattern is mirrored exactly on both sides of the stitches. If there is a pocket, the pocket’s pattern stitches will be perfectly aligned to the rest of the bag and there is always the same number of stitches on each side of the bag.
2. The lining. Counterfeiters rarely have a good view of the inside of a bag. Typically they are working from photographs, which tend to distort colour, so if you have actually seen the colour in a boutique, you immediately have an advantage. It should be precisely the same shade as the real thing and not a close approximation.
3. The pockets.
Here too, it is easy for counterfeiters – who are working from photographs, rather than copying the real thing – to get it wrong. Scafidi has a fake Chanel tote on which copyists omitted the pocket on the back, and a Coach on which they included the back pocket but added a zip.
4. Place of manufacture.
Some counterfeiters routinely mark Louis Vuitton knock-offs ‘Made in France’. But, in actual fact at least one line was made in Spain, the result of collaboration between Louis Vuitton’s creative director Marc Jacobs and the artist Takashi Murakami, featuring cherry blossoms with whimsical smiley-face centres against the company’s classic brown toile background.
5. Mis-spellings.
In her collection of counterfeit bags, Scafidi has a Coach labelled ‘eatherware’ (the “l” in the word is omitted). Goyard counterfeiters made an even more egregious error, spelling the company’s name ‘Gooyar’ on both the printed canvas of the bag and its dust cover. That was a dead giveaway! 25
The Le Corbusier LC4 chaise lounge MAXXI, Rome, Italy, by Zaha Hadid
26
Lina Bo Bardi looking out at her Glass House
Glass House by Line Bo Bardi. Photo by Francisco Albuquerque in December 1950
Lina Bo Bardi’s Bowl Chair
Bardi’s Bowl Chair
A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN ARCHITECTS By Simon Grech
with Anne Tyng, who had a fascination with geometry and studied at Harvard Graduate School of Design under Walter Gropius. Frank Lloyd Wright collaborated with Marion Mahony Griffin, his first employee, who studied at MIT and was one of the first licensed female architects in the world. She influenced the development of Frank’s ‘Prairie style’, and her watercolour renderings became synonymous with his work. Times have changed. It is no longer the case that behind every successful man there is a woman and in fact more women are now stealing the limelight, following in the steps of Lina, Ray and Eileen. Charles Eames is quoted as having said: “Anything I can do, Ray can do better.” Last year we saw the passing of one of the most notable star architects of our time the Iraqi/British AA (Architectural Association) trained architect Zaha Hadid. She was known for being a highly conceptual architect who, for a long time was predominantly categorised as a ‘paper architect’, producing incredible conceptual drawings for competitions and buildings that never got off the paper and actually materialised. She is famous for buildings such as the MAXXI Museum in Rome and the Phaeno Science Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany. Her architecture is fluid, organic and in some sense, futuristic. Although a controversial topic, it is fair to point out that we might even be graced with one of her last projects under her conception on our island.
A Ray and Charles Eames’ classic chair
We are now in the month of September, which falls under the star-sign of Virgo, so what better month than this to celebrate the contribution of female architects and designers to the world of architecture and design? On a personal note, this also happens to be the month during which our only daughter – Lina Ray – was born and we named her after the Italian-born Brazilian architect Achillina Bo Bardi (Lina Bo Bardi) and the American artist/designer Bernice Alexandra Ray, neé Kaiser, Eames (Ray Eames). They were contemporaries – one having been born in 1914 and the other in 1912 – and both were geniuses in their own right who contributed greatly to the world of design and architecture, influencing the generations to come. Both Lina and Ray had an eye for detail and were responsible for some outstanding pieces of design and architecture. Lina produced some very important public buildings, constructed mainly out of concrete left exposed to celebrate the rawness of the material, such as the MASP (Museum of Art of São Paulo) and the SESC di Pompeia in Sao Paulo, while Ray, with her husband Charles, co-authored the Eames case-study house built entirely of fabricated steel parts intended for industrial construction. Both enjoyed scaling down their work and experimenting with product and jewellery design. It would be fair to say that Ray’s energies were mainly focused on product design, with special attention to chairs, resulting in some of the most iconic pieces of the 20th century – the Eames chairs. Like most architects, Lina also had a go at designing her own chair, the bobardi bowl chair – a simple, ergonometric and elegant piece of design. It would be wrong to write about women in design and architecture without mentioning ‘the mother of 20th century design’, Eileen Gray, who was from Ireland. She was not a trained architect, as many architects of the time were, but she had an innate talent with an eye for detail, materiality and form. Her most important work would have to be her home the E1027, which also left an impression on the likes of Le Corbusier who was in awe of Eileen’s work and contributed to the house as an artist, painting several murals on her walls – which Eileen ultimately found loud and overpowering. He even went so far as to build his famous cabin that he used as a summer house to stay in nearby, where he would spend every August, swimming in the sea that ultimately took his life. Le Corbusier was not an openly feminist hero but it is said that many female designers and architects chose to work in his and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret’s studio, one of which was the incredibly talented Charlotte Perriand who Corbusier initially disregarded. She proved him wrong and became fundamental to Corbusier’s legacy, co-authoring some of the atelier’s most innovative and iconic works such as the LC4 chaise longue. It is interesting to note that one of Corbusier’s most famous contributions - the city in India called Chandigarh was designed in a collaboration with the British architect Jane Drew and her partner/husband Maxwell Fry, and it is on her recommendation that he was invited by the Indian prime-minister of the time to work on and contribute to the project. Other greats of 20th-century architecture and design also had their female collaborators. Mies Van Der Rohe collaborated with Lilly Reich and was always open to her opinion and contribution. Louis Kahn collaborated
Glass House by Lina Bo Bardi. Bairro Morumbi, São Paulo
Zaha was also known to be a force to be reckoned with, with an attitude that I am sure helped her break through and earn the respect of many in the architectural world. Today, her studio is under the direction of one of her first employee, Patrik Schumacher who is striving to keep her legacy alive. Zaha was the first woman to receive the most prestigious prize in architecture, The Pritzker Architecture Prize, in 2004. The first female to win the Pritzker Prize should have been the American post-modern architect/academic Denise Scott Brown with her partner Robert Venturi. He received the prize in 1991 and in 2014 a petition was presented to the Jury signed by Zaha and Robert Venturi himself, amongst others, to amend the 1991 Prize to include her as a shared prize-winner. This unfortunately fell on deaf ears. Today the Pritzker prize has had three female laureates: Zaha Hadid (2004), Japanese Kazuyo Sejima (SANAA (2010) shared with Ryue Nishizawa and in 2017 we also see a female architect, Carme Pigem Barceló, from Spain (RCR), sharing the prize with her partners Rafael Aranda and Ramon Vilalta. Kazuyo, who trained under Toyo Ito, is known for buildings such as the new Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Grace Farms in New Canaan, Connecticut. Her architecture is modern and clean, reduced down to simple lines and making use of predominantly white, highly finished materials. Carme is best known for buildings such as Europa Square Office Building and the RCR’s crematorium in Holsbeek, Belgium. Her work is beautiful: bold, sculptural that plays with light and the use of unrefined material. Danish architect Dorte Mandrup says that there are no such things as male architects and female architects as “We are all architects. Then the only difference between architects that should be of concern is how they believe our built environment and space should and will be shaped in the future. Is this how the IsraeliAmerican architect/designer/academic Neri Oxman imagines it will be, a future where we will 3d-print our buildings and houses? Or should it be a built environment that endorses a classical modernist approach that seeks a certain kind of logic that allows you to move in space and perceive it as beautiful and rational as Annabelle Selldorf – born in Germany, now based in New York – believes it should be?
27
POPPING FORTH
THE POP ART MOVEMENT By Tony Cassar Darien 28
n a drizzly September day in 2000, Diana Vachier happened to be walking past an art gallery in New York when she spotted a painting that immediately struck her. It was entitled American Gothic and it had this great look about it: awesome colours, wonderful details and a style that seemed to just pop off the wall, in real pop art style. The gallery owner explained that it was the work of an artist named Steve Kaufman, a former assistant to Andy Warhol. He showed her some other paintings of his, the subjects of which included Marilyn Monroe, the Mona Lisa, a Cohiba Cigar and a Beethoven. She thought they were fabulous. Just as she was leaving, the owner handed Diana about eight postcards featuring Steve’s art. A video editor by profession, and an avid lover of antique postcards, Diana put three of Steve Kaufman’s postcards for sale on the internet, along with some of her old postcards. They were quickly sold. A day or two later, she received an email saying: “Hi, I’m Steve Kaufman. Call me. I have a lot of postcards you can have.” Rather nervously, since she felt out of her comfort zone, Diana still managed to dial Steve’s number. A smooth, silky and very warm voice answered, and promised her that that he would send her a further 100 postcards that he would also sign. He then regaled her with some very funny stories about his life and girlfriends. At the end of a telephone conversation of some two hours or so, Diana was convinced that she had met a crazy, funny and brilliant artist. Two weeks later a huge box arrived with more postcards than she could handle, all hand-signed. They were soon sold on the internet for $8 each and she kept a record of all her sales. Diana and Steve were soon conversing regularly over the phone. He told her about his Give Kids a Break programme – a charity that helped young people that had just come out of prison. In order to raise money for his charity, he painted the paintbrushes he used to and sold them. In the next few days, apart from the signed postcards, Diana was also receiving painted brushes and small mini paintings by the artist. The sales were great as her client base soared, and a lot of money poured into Steve Kaufman’s charity programme. One day, Steve asked Diana if she would quit her day job and work for him full-time. She agreed without much hesitation and pretty soon they were talking over the phone three to four times a day about marketing and promotions. She was on the east coast, while he was on the west coast. Diana recalls how working with Steve was so much fun as they each bounced their ideas and goals off the other. She later wrote: “We were always laughing. In fact, he told me that the kids that worked with him always knew that he was talking to me because they would hear him laughing.” She recounted how, being on different coasts, it was easier to
HE WOULD TELL ME ABOUT HIS FAMILY AND GIRLFRIENDS, HIS PROJECTS, AND EXHIBITIONS AND A LOT ABOUT HIS DREAMS. HE ALSO TOLD HER HOW HE HAD TROUBLE SLEEPING AT NIGHT BECAUSE HIS BRAIN JUST WOULDN’T STOP WORKING talk and share personal stories. “He would tell me about his family and girlfriends, his projects, and exhibitions and a lot about his dreams. He also told her how he had trouble sleeping at night because his brain just wouldn’t stop working.” Diana warned him about his dangerous lifestyle and advised him to relax and take a vacation. He jokingly replied that the one time he had been on a holiday, he had suffered a mini stroke. Diana was also worried about his eating habits, because whenever he called, he would be eating some sort of junk food. And he couldn’t be bothered to change his lifestyle because he was always glued to his paintbrushes. In 2005, Diana and Steve they formed the American Pop Art Inc., built their licensing portfolio, placed Steve’s art in several museums (with Coca Cola putting four paintings into their World of Coca Cola Museum) and started making inroads into the international markets. In 2007, Steve had a second stroke but instead of slowing down and eating more healthily, he continued to work with even more energy. Two years later he had a serious stroke that did tremendous damage. He could not walk without a walker, lost the sight in his right eye and his hands shook uncontrollably. Even then, he would not stop. He would give talk shows in his wheelchair and still – miraculously – managed to paint and produce beautiful art. On 11 February 2010, Steve Kaufman flew to Denver to give a speech at the opening of one of his exhibitions, although almost everyone he knew, including Diana Vachier, warned him not to go. The next morning Diana received a call to tell her that he had passed away during the night. He was 50 years old. Among Kaufman’s more recognisable images are those of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Sammy Davis Jr, Al Pacino, Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay), President Barack Obama, Jay Leno, John Travolta, mobster John Gotti, Beethoven, Napoleon and such icons of Americana as the $100 bill, Coca-Cola images and Campbell’s Soups art – some of which have been wrongly attributed to Andy Warhol. Following his death, Diana redoubled her efforts to introduce Kaufman’s art on the international stage. Amongst the collection of art she inherited from Steve was an anthology of Andy Warhol’s most representative works. Diana’s inspiration to hold exhibitions of these two great artists together paid rich dividends because it meant that, for the very first time, the world could now experience the birth and development – indeed the whole story and history – behind the great Pop Art Movement.
29
30
RIVER TALES OF THE MAEKLONG Words & photos by Victor Paul Borg
F
or a long time it was thought to be a demon – a large, darkish round animal with a long menacing tail found in the rivers that open onto the Gulf of Thailand – and now, superstition aside, sitting on the boat swaying in the sun-dappled waters of the Maeklong River, it was hard to imagine that the largest stringrays on earth were lurking in the murky depths below us. We were just around the bend from the floating market, one of Thailand’s most visited sights, setting baited hooks attached to fishing lines and buoys at dawn, long before the din of the floating market reached us just perceptibly. I tried to imagine the stingrays in solitary foraging thirty metres below the surface, and instead couldn’t help marveling about the obliviousness of visitors to floating market – virtually all visitors are unaware that the waterway is one of the last strongholds of the rare giant stingrays. I am talking about the floating market in Maeklong, an hour’s drive southwest of Bangkok, one of Thailand’s quintessential sights. In this watery world on the Gulf of Thailand it’s easy to see how the market came to be: the scatter of farming and fishing hamlets at the delta of the Maeklong River were formerly separated by a web of waterways, by the mainstream Maeklong and its tributaries, and fishermen and farmers used to paddle to the centre of town to sell their catch or produce straight out of their canoes. Now there is an extensive road network and a series of bridges, but the floating market has endured partly as a market (canoe-borne peddlers still turn up early with their produce) and partly as a tourist sight. It’s the most famous of Thailand’s floating markets, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors every weekend (the market is only active on Saturdays and Sundays), a parade of young Thais on a day trips from Bangkok and tourists traipsing with cumbersome rucksacks. The market has now spread on land, usurping the streets that radiate from the canal – there is more of the market on land now than on the water. Stalls cram the riverbanks and the surrounding roads, and canoes throng the waterway, a world of colours and aromas and sounds that’s organically Thai. All manners of snacks and exotic fruits and full meals are peddled from the stalls, as well as curios or souvenirs to a lesser extent. The crowds are so dense that you get swept along, but it’s all part of the festive atmosphere. And when you tire of it all, you can find a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the canal, and feast on seafood (the local specialty, fried mackerel infused with garlic, is surprisingly simple and tasty). There is more to Maeklong than the floating market and the charming old canalside wooden houses. A half-days tour of the river on long-tail boat is a revelation: the river is mostly fronted by mangrove forests (lots of nipa palms and mangroves) interspersed by hamlets and clusters of bungalows that make up the scatter of resorts. More interesting are the array of temples – I heard a claim by the mayor that there are a hundred temples along this stretch of river – the resplendent roofs of temples and stupas stand out among the trees along the river. Maeklong certainly deserves a couple of days’ exploration. You can base yourself at the canal where the floating market takes place (many of the old wooden houses now double as family-run guesthouses), and wallow in the festive bustle of the floating market over the weekend and then, when the tourists thin out, strike out on boat tours (available for rent at the riverfront) to the temples. And, if fishing is your thing, you can try your luck fishing for a giant stingray in the service of science. The fishing is organised by Fish Siam in collaboration with the Thai scientist Dr Nantarika Chansue who has studied about 250 stingrays in the decade-long research project she has ran. “We wouldn’t be able to afford to catch stingrays ourselves,” Dr Nantarika explained. “So Fish Siam uses my license to allow their paying guests to catch stingrays recreationally, and I get to study the stingrays that are caught, which are then released again.”
I joined a two-day fishing expedition as a journalist. The fishing expedition had been paid for by Fish Siam guest Tim Webbs, an Englishman who worked in mining in Australia and spent his time in-between Australia and Thailand. Dr Nantarika began to lament about the stingrays’ continuous decline, which is ominous for a species that is already rare – the stingrays occurs in four rivers in mainland Southeast Asia, although less is known about their wider range in places such as Indonesia. The decline in Thailand is mostly due to pollution (effluent released by factories upriver) and capturing. “No one touched stingrays when they were thought to be demons, but now superstitions have waned and there is an insatiable demand for stingrays from aquariums,” she elaborated. “Some sportsfishermen also cut the tail of stingrays as a trophy or to use it as a whip, and it would then be difficult for the stingray to survive.” We were talking in the longtail boat tied to a nipa tree on the river’s shore. The wide river with its turbid-brown water slithered past us, water-birds squawked in the trees nearby, and on the opposite bank the dense nipa palms were interspersed by a scattering of wooden houses set on stilts. Looking up and down the river my eyes latched on the glistens of sun on the reddish roofs or golden fronts of temples set at irregular intervals. We didn’t catch anything on the first day; then we caught a stingray on the second day. It was a juvenile male – 238cm from tail to head, wingspan of 85cm – yet still the largest ray I have ever seen. (Adult stingrays weigh hundreds of kilos and grow to a girth wider and longer than a small car.) The stingray was positioned in a floating net in-between the two longtail boats, and Dr Nantarika worked nimbly: she drew samples of blood and venom, snipped a fragment of flesh for DNA analysis, inserted a microchip (to identify recaptured individuals – frequency of recapturing allows extrapolation of population size and charting of growth rate and longevity), and injected slow-release vitamin to alleviate the stress suffered by the stingray. “In the past,” Dr Nantarika said, “we used to catch 2 or 3 stingrays every time we fished. Now we only catch one. That’s an indication of the decline in population.” But for now everyone was content, you could see it in the faces, our mission had been accomplished. “Every fishing trip is unpredictable,” mused Tim Webbs. “Every day spent fishing is a different story, that’s why I keep coming back to the Maeklong. Last time I caught a bull-shark. They come up the river sometimes you know?” 31
The Road to Happiness
HOW A RETHINK OF EDUCATION AND THE WORKPLACE CAN LEAD TO A HAPPIER AND SATISFYING LIFESTYLE Words by Julian Cardona . Drawing by Joel Nordio
33
y
If we look at the Maltese situation, I believe that we can happily ou wake up and wish the day was already over. You look at say we have come a long way since the traditional chalk-andthe mirror, frown. You have your board, three-desks-per-row classroom models. Being a trained breakfast, your shower, your Yoga teacher myself, I can testify to the fact that a huge effort is being or jog, your commute or walk. You made to create new teachers who approach teaching creatively enter the workplace or classroom, with the goal to entertain rather than pump information. New look at the clock: eight hours to go. teachers are embracing modern technologies that offer a wider Same desk, same computer, same sensory experience and new class formats that place an emphateacher, same books. A long list of tasks sis on collaborative work. But are we doing enough to create open-minded, fearless, crethat change little, mean nothing and help no one, except those who tell you that you ative individuals who will grow up to be happy? I believe that the sad answer to this question is that we are not. In Malta, because should be grateful. Look to your left then to your right: the of the bump-and-grind journey to final examinations, even the same faces, same gossip. It’s a game you re- most creative teachers end up being sucked into the swamp of alise: who smiles the widest, wins. And the learning-by-rote and past-paper crunching. The problem is that next day it is same thing; the next week, the the fear of failing is still such a big part of the schooling experisame thing. Then the weekend comes. By ence and thus environmental, civic and physical education is Saturday it peaks, often underwhelmingly; usually discarded with the result that “we have more time for the by Sunday you’ve already gone into the ‘to- important stuff that will help you find a job”. Educators should work hard towards a world in which classes morrow it’s bloody Monday’ mood and you are held outside more often than inside, where physical educabarely have any strength to enjoy yourself. You suddenly realise you are not living, but tion is a priority over the core subjects (even after Form 2) and copy and pasting the same year – year after civic studies that foster love for the nation and respect for each year. From a very young age you are taught that other and the environment, is taught ubiquitously. For this to be this is the way it should be: get an education, a job, achieved, the entire examination system needs to be revised so a big wedding and a few kids. Then pass the baton and off to the that teachers can have more freedom. How would this translate into a modern working place? Beaugrave where, hopefully the real party starts. This is Modern Western Human V2.0: we have no wars or Great Depressions to tifully, I believe. By making education fun and attractive, more survive (as yet), just life. Live to survive life: tattoo that some- people will become educated rather than schooled. Educated people live better and expect more from themselves and life. Cuwhere because you’re going to need it. Many modern researchers are beginning to conclude that the bicles and long, non-flexible working hours will no longer be acmodern world is becoming an unhappy place for most people cepted. The properly-educated person looks for what is natural: because we have detached ourselves from nature, and from what time with the family, time for themselves, exploration of the natural environment and comis natural. According to Eva munity life. Selhub, MD, co-author of Your YOU SUDDENLY REALISE YOU ARE Rather than float through Brain on Nature: The Science of life aimlessly, this person has Nature’s Influence on Your NOT LIVING, BUT COPY AND PASTING a well-defined understanding Health, Happiness and Vitality, THE SAME YEAR – YEAR AFTER YEAR. of who she/his is and develops “We often think of ourselves as a well-grounded model of different from animals, but we FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE YOU ARE what life should look like. Unevolved to live in nature. Being able to find willing employees removed from that is highly TAUGHT THAT THIS IS THE WAY IT who accept the non-reasonunnatural and stressful to the SHOULD BE: GET AN EDUCATION, A able, companies will start ofbrain and body.” fering a better work-life The cubicles, concrete buildJOB, A BIG WEDDING AND A FEW balance and more social, atings, grey walls and sedentary KIDS. THEN PASS THE BATON AND tractive work places. Compalifestyles play a big role in nies will benefit too. Happier shaping our state of mind. OFF TO THE GRAVE WHERE, employees will be more effiStephen Kellert, PhD, author of cient which, in turn, will lead Birthright: People and Nature in HOPEFULLY THE REAL PARTY to better work, more trust, the Modern World, adds: “The STARTS. THIS IS MODERN WESTERN life-long learning and even sensory deprivation from more efficiency and so on, working in bland indoor enviHUMAN V2.0: WE HAVE NO WARS OR leading to a virtuous cycle of ronments takes a major toll on GREAT DEPRESSIONS TO SURVIVE (AS self-fulfilment driven by suchigher-order cognitive funccess – and success that is tioning like our ability to solve YET), JUST LIFE. LIVE TO SURVIVE shared equally. problems, create, and think. LIFE: TATTOO THAT SOMEWHERE This can already be seen in No matter how advanced we places where there is a high think we are, we do not funcBECAUSE YOU’RE GOING TO NEED IT. rate of tertiary-educated peotion properly if we engineer ple, such as Scandinavian environments that are nonnatural. Whether we like it or not, we are animals: capable of ask- countries. Working conditions in these areas are some of the best ing the question “why are we here?” but incapable of answering in the world. It is no secret that people in these countries are more in touch with the natural environment because they have it adequately.” The obvious question is, of course, “what can we do about it?”, evolved as people who are balanced and seek inner fulfilment assuming that there is a desire to do something about it in the more than materialistic gain. And whilst no country is perfect, first place. Many shrug sceptically at anyone who dares even pro- when you look at statistics on job satisfaction, cleanliness, curbs pose a drastic change. I believe it starts from schools. It is im- on emissions, green economy, happiness and life expectancy, portant to understand that a natural life is not simply related to they often rank amongst the best. Thankfully, Maltese workplaces have come a long way. Family being in touch with the wildlife but also being in touch with our duties are being shared and the 8-5 choke is now negotiable in explorative human nature. The tragedy is that the robotic lifestyle that plagues our adult many modern Maltese companies. Young Maltese people are lives is programmed extremely efficiently in our brains from an starting to ask “why?” and “what for?” and are out to search fulearly age. School curriculums, timetables and classrooms seem to filment in every decision they take. As the level of education inbe modelled on the cubicles, meeting schedules and 8 to 5 mod- creases (even flawed as it is) more Maltese people will start els that shape the workplace. This means that we are dehuman- asking for modern working conditions that make a job part of life not a life itself. Modern Western Human V3.0 will be more ised at a very young age. Of course, critics would immediately jump and say that chil- well-rounded and balanced because of this. Children will have dren need to learn the value of order and discipline at a very parents that are more present and our country will have inhabyoung age but many argue that it shouldn’t be this way. Children itants that are more respectful. Maybe I am a dreamer at heart should be allowed to enjoy freedom in controlled environments. but even though many Maltese believe that the next stage of our Time management and creativity are not mutually exclusive; glorious history is even more growth, I believe that the next open-ended, creative questioning and exam preparation should stage is more balance, more peace and, ultimately, more happiness. go hand-in-hand.
34
Unloc
36
ocking talent Elisa Krantz has created a successful business out of inspiring people to unlock their talent with her company Baton & Baton. It has not been easy, with a family to take care of, but she has found her balance and is going full steam ahead with growing the business internationally. Tell us a little about yourself. I’m Maltese-Swedish, was born in Switzerland and lived there until I was 10, when I moved to Malta. I went to school and university in Malta, and realised early on that I was fascinated by psychology and human behaviour, so that became my chosen path at university. Given that I was exposed to family businesses on both sides of my family, and dinner table conversation often revolved around business, I discovered that I loved the business side of psychology, so I did my MSc in Occupational Psychology in London. I worked with PwC and Merrill Lynch before joining a global leadership consultancy called YSC. To cut a long story short, after seven years with YSC in London, Hong Kong and India, I moved back to Malta to set up my own leadership and talent firm – Baton & Baton. We work with companies locally and internationally to help their CEOs and senior leaders surround themselves with the right people in the right roles and to get the best out of their leadership and talent.
How has being a psychologist helped you arrive at where you are today and how has it influenced your life as a mother and business woman? The thing about psychology is that it’s at the heart of how we human beings function and interact with each other. I don’t often consciously think about it, but it has definitely informed my relationships with my family and friends, how my husband Gary and I raise our kids, how we work – both with my own team with our clients. And as a mother, we bring so much of our own ‘stuff ’ into parenting – some of it positive, some of it less positive. I think psychology helps me (try!) to be more aware of the impact I have on my kids and to be more conscious of the choices I make as a parent, and the environment we create for them.
my career, so I had to readjust and ‘pace’ my expectations of what I wanted to achieve with my business, and by when, and what expectations I set of myself. I think it’s complicated as a woman, and finding balance and what feels right is a very personal choice for each woman, and one that takes time to resolve.
Growing up, who would you say was your greatest inspiration or role model? My Swedish father and grandmother, my Maltese family for entrepreneurial energy and businessmindedness and my brother Daniel who, sadly, grew up with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and passed away at the age of 23. He was, and still is, a source of inspiration for his relentless positivity and resilience.
What does the future hold for Baton & Baton? We are exploring complimentary avenues of growth to support our advisory work (such as leveraging technology and exploring partnerships with other companies,) and we are also looking at how to grow our footprint in other countries outside of Malta. So these are exciting times, with plenty more learning to come!
How can we find out more about the services your company provides and do you currently provide any What has been the most memorable, eye-opening work opportunities? experience on your journey to starting up your company You can find us on www.batonbaton.com, and on Baton & Baton? LinkedIn. We are always happy to hear from people
Starting up a business in India played a big role in my path to setting up Baton & Baton. At the time, (I was 30) I knew nothing about India and, apart from my boss at the time tasking me with setting up YSC’s India business that needed to break even within a year, it was pretty much starting with a blank canvas! The experience taught me that if you really tune into what your market and customers need, and if you are passionate about what you do, you’ve got the start of a business. When I set up Baton & Baton, I again found that our clients ‘taught us’ in many ways: where to
How do you strike that balance of being a mother and business woman and what challenges do you face day-today in this dual role? If I had the perfect formula to answer that question I would be a billionaire by now! The truth is it’s a day-today and week-to-week juggling act. Having my own business gives me a lot more flexibility, but often at the price of sleep and ‘me time’! What helps me strike the balance is (1) structure: I have certain days I work full days, others are more flexible; (2) a lovely, trusted nanny who can drive; (3) a husband who is extremely supportive of my career and understands that sometimes I need to travel for work – we have a golden rule of never travelling at the same time; and (4) a mother and sister who love the kids and also help out! One big challenge I found when I became a mum was the realisation that it was going to be impossible to give my full 100 per cent to work in the same way that I had done before, unless I worked really long hours and didn’t see as much of the kids. I wanted to be present and spend time with my kids, but didn’t want to give up
focus, what expertise they needed and how to mould our offering, which centres around helping companies to get the best out of their leaders, and leaders and teams to fulfil their potential.
who might want to come and work with us – in our associates, given that we work with senior leaders, we look for experienced or specialised facilitators and executive coaches, preferably business psychologists..
Are there any communities or groups you would recommend for young women start-ups in Malta? Communities like SHE Malta have a big role to play in raising awareness and simply providing a space for creative, talented and enterprising women to connect and learn from each other. I particularly like the focus on social enterprise that SHE promotes, and highly recommend it. It would be great to see even more hubs like this that offer different focuses for women in corporate business, the arts and sciences or at governmental level.
What has been your experience of working with SHE Malta? SHE Malta invited me to participate as a guest speaker on the subject of start-ups and how to make them work. It was fun to share some learning (from the good old School of Life Experience!) and to meet and listen to other inspiring women from a range of enterprises.
Do you have any words of wisdom to share with other women wanting to start a business?
IF YOU REALLY TUNE INTO WHAT YOUR MARKET AND CUSTOMERS NEED, AND IF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO, YOU’VE GOT THE BEGINNING OF A BUSINESS.
My top tip is to really think through your idea and your passion, and what you want out of your business, before embarking on the journey. Starting up a business, as exciting and fulfilling as it can be, takes a lot of hard work and commitment. It can be quite lonely at times in terms of carrying all the decisions you are making each day, so being clear about what you want is important. I also highly recommend finding a few mentors and networking groups to help you on the journey! 37
Photo by George Abdilla Students of Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Dance 25th anniversary ballet performance – Sleeping Beauty, with guest ballerina Claire Calvert (Royal Ballet) at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, 2015
I
BRIGITTE GAUCI BORDA School of Dance
t has been a busy but very successful year for the BGB School of Dance. Both junior and senior students are actively involved in international dance competitions. This year, the Ballet and Hip Hop students travelled to Italy on two separate occasions to Non Solo Danza, coming back with several awards, trophies and scholarships. One of the scholarships was awarded to the BGB School to attend another international dance competition in Cologne, Germany, next January. In June, Brigitte Gauci Borda accompanied two ballet students to Italy to compete at the Festival Internazionale della Danza e delle Danze, under the patronage of Carla Fracci. Both students were successful: Destiny Casa (junior) and Phoebe Schembri (senior) both won first place in the classical ballet solos, and second place in the neoclassical solos, in their respective categories, plus several special awards and overseas scholarships. Over 70 students attended the International Ballet Malta (IBM) summer programme at the BGB School, with guest teachers from The Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Theatre. Three students won awards to attend Danceworks International Ballet Academy in London next year. The IBM will be held on a larger scale next summer, culminating with the ballet
38
From left to right: Kristain Ratevoissian (Bolshoi Theatre – Patron of BGB school) Tatiana Lebedeva, Brigitte Gauci Borda and Lucy Sheetova – Mediterranean Conference Centre, Crystal Palace Ballet reception July 2017 Giselle which will give the students the opportunity to dance alongside principals of the Royal Ballet. Applications for the IBM summer programme will be available shortly. Summer Morning Fun, a six-week summer programme incorporating several dance disciplines, did indeed prove to be great fun for all those involved, with surprise international guest teachers popping over to Malta to teach. One of the surprise guest teachers was from the UK’s X Factor! Some students had the privilege of dancing in the ballet Crystal Palace with the famous ballet star Ivan Vasiliev and over 40 professional ballerinas from the famous Bolshoi Theatre.
Crystal Palace was staged at the MCC in Valletta on 21 July. It was a truly wonderful experience and a great honour for the BGB School to be part of this professional production, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malta and Russia. The BGB School has continued its tradition of excellent ballet results with a 100 per cent success rate and a very high percentage of Distinctions and Merits. Four students have graduated from BGB dance this year, three students obtained Merits at Advanced 2 level and a record-breaking Distinction was achieved by Phoebe Schembri, at the age of 15. Phoebe has been a BGB
student since she was three, always passing her exams with Distinction and winning several international competitions and scholarships. She auditioned successfully for the English National Ballet School in London, where she will be starting her full-time professional training. This summer she also attended the Royal Ballet summer school in London for which students are also selected by audition. BGB School has a very exciting programme for the upcoming year, starting with preparations for its school show of Beauty and the Beast to be held in December. The first term of the school’s next academic year commences on Monday, 25 September. With a professional team of international teachers, the school offers: Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Spanish, Classical Ballet (Cecchetti), Repertoire, Pointe Work, Pas de Deux, Open Ballet (incorporating French & Vaganova methods – scholars class), Stretch and Core (body conditioning to improve strength and flexibility), Adult Ballet (for beginners), morning classes in Yoga, fitness and Pilates, private lessons and private coaching. (Students who take more than one discipline benefit from discounts.) Join us! New registrations will be accepted on 14 and 15 September from 5pm to 8pm at 64 Old College Street, Sliema or by appointment by calling 7934 1755, emailing dancebgb@gmail.com or visiting www.bgbballet.com
FOUNDING DIRECTOR: Brigi e Gauci Borda LISTD CDE London PATRONS: Erico Montes (Royal Ballet), Mayara Magri (Royal Ballet), Kris an Ratevoissin (Bolshoi Theatre) Terence Etheridge (Interna onal choreographer) Kim White (Founding Director Danceworks Interna onal Ballet Academy UK)
Celebra ng 28 years of excellence with a professional team of interna onal teachers REGISTER NOW Ages 3 to professional level for boys and girls • Ballet • Jazz • Hip Hop • Contemporary • Spanish • Repertoire • Pointe Work • Pas de Deux • Ballroom • Yoga • Stretch & Core • Ballet Adult Beginners • Teachers courses
TERM COMMENCING 25 SEPTEMBER 2017
New registra ons on the 14 and 15 September from 5pm to 8pm or by appointment on mobile: 7934 1755, email: dancebgb@gmail.com 64 old College Street Sliema Find us on facebook
Photo by Daniel Coppini
Register now and take part in the ballet Beauty & the Beast
NUTRITION FOR
e
Angela Mallia Certified health coach and detox specialist angelamallia.com
CHILDREN veryone wants their children to develop well, have a great capacity for concentration and a strong immune system and for all this they need regular, healthy and balanced meals. However, not every family is aware of the importance of eating healthily and it is in childhood where eating habits are formed. The most nutritious “grow” foods for children are seafood, vegetables, whole grains, fruit, healthy fats and spices. Because of their high Omega-3 fats, the best fish for children are salmon, trout, mackerel, herring and sardines. Offering your child tiny bits of salmon as one of your infant’s earliest finger foods is a great way to shape his or her taste for enjoying fish in the future. Children should have fish once or twice a week – avoiding shark, swordfish or marlin because of their high mercury content.
Getting children to eat vegetables may require some creative ‘marketing’! Persevere – most children need to try a new food 15 times before they develop a taste for it, but don’t force them. If you have time, cut whatever it is into fun shapes or make a tasty dip. Adding vegetables to pasta sauces or in wraps is a great way of including them in their diet. Whole grains contain important nutrients and are digested more slowly than refined grains, which helps keep insulin levels stable – something else that is important for children! Oats are a great addition to a child’s diet. They are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals and supply a steady stream of energy. Fruit is nutrient-rich and generally accepted by children. It also offers a good base for smoothies in which you can easily hide some vegetables! A child’s detoxification capacity is not as strong as an adult’s, so washing fruit and vegetables that are not organic is a must. We should try to get organic, especially in Malta – where there does not seem to be strict pesticide testing. When it comes to fats, it is important to understand that not all fats are the same. There are good fats in fish, seeds, nuts and olive oil – all of which should be in
Recipes
everyone’s diet. The bad fats are found in margarine, deep-fried fast food, doughnuts and anything that contains hydrogenated fats. – Spices get credit for more than just adding flavour to food. The health benefits of spices are numerous and some that are particularly good for children are turmeric, cinnamon and coriander. Food labelled especially for children should be viewed with a degree of scepticism. The most important thing is to read the ingredients. Manufacturers try to seduce children and their parents with fun names and pictures, and add labels such as ‘extra vitamins’, or ‘valuable cereals’. But the ingredients are generally less pleasing. There is often a lot of sugar or fat in such products, sometimes even dyes. If you need the convenience of ready-packed food and snacks for children on the go, or as treats, there are plenty of options available nowadays such as nutritious flapjacks or ready-packed energy balls. These are quick and easy to make at home as well! Bringing up our children is our most important work, so it is important that we do our best to help them grow into healthy and educated adults.
It will soon be time to send our little ones off to school, so why not take some pleasure in preparing them something different and nourishing to tuck into at lunch time... Recipe by Dusha Lia, private chef and food consultant www.baltazar.com.mt
Funky Chicken Wrap
Super Healthy Flapjack
This is a great way of using up those left-overs. It is very fast to prepare and is a full lunch in a wrap – perfect!
Ingredients 4 tortillas 500g cooked chicken 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tbs olive oil ½ tsp garlic powder 1 cup Greek yoghurt 2 cups mashed potato 1 cup mixed green salad 1 cup coarsely grated carrots 40
Method
Method
Ingredients
To make dressing, in a small bowl whisk together smoked paprika, garlic powder, olive oil and Greek yogurt. Season and set aside. Down the middle of each tortilla spread the mashed potato, then the grated carrot, the green salad and finally the chicken. Drizzle the dressing over, wrap tightly, cut in half and either pack it up or serve immediately.
2 cups oats 2 very ripe bananas ½ cup melted coconut oil 2 tbs rice syrup or honey 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract ⅓ cup sultanas ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Pre-heat oven to 175 C. Grease a square baking dish with a small amount of coconut oil and set aside. In a small bowl mash the bananas with melted coconut oil, rice syrup and vanilla extract. In a large bowl mix the oats, cinnamon, raisins and walnuts then add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for around 40 minutes or until the top is lightly golden. When cooled, bite into your scrumptious flapjack!
TIME FOR BED
I
How to get your baby or toddler, and yourself, some sleep!
am a 31-year-old woman from Venezuela and the mother of two girls aged three-and-a-half and two. When my second daughter was born, I was determined to breastfeed her and that took a lot of my energy – and hers. Between feedings, crying, pumping and rocking her to sleep – and taking care of my other daughter – it seemed like a neverending situation, and co-sleeping did not work neither did breastfeeding, rocking, or a dummy. I even tried letting my baby ‘cry it out’ but her that would wake up her big sister and then we all ended up crying together! My elder daughter missed naps, which affected her appetite and behaviour, making her cranky most of the time, and – well – we all were! I was mentally and physically exhausted, not to mention sleep-deprived and am sure that postpartum depression didn’t help, either! During one long night I found out about sleep coaching on the internet and decided to work with Kim West – ‘the Sleep Lady’ – to get my girls and myself to sleep. I found out that the baby was suffering from ‘silent reflux’, so I got that under control by following the suggestions the ‘Sleep Lady’ made. Soon my daughters were sleeping together in the same room all night and even napping during the day at around the same times as well. I learned a lot about sleeping and how sleep works where little ones are concerned, so I decided to spread the word and be that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for sleep-deprived families. Here are some questions and answers that may help you get some sleep!
At what age do you think a baby should start sleeping through the night? Sleeping is a self-learned skill, and most babies are developmentally ready by the age of six months; others take a bit longer and are ready by their first birthday or they could need to be fed during the night for longer for medical reasons.
What sleeping hours do you suggest, and why? Recently, there has been a lot said and written on the value of early bedtimes – and in some cases extra-early bedtimes – and both do work in some cases. However, the truth is that some children are able to stay awake for longer and still manage to sleep through the night without any detrimental effect on their behaviour or development. However, the temperament of every child, and the dynamics of every family, are different so the number of hours of sleep a child needs will vary. And it is also important to remember that it is not only the quantity (ie, the number of hours) that has to be considered, but also the quality of the sleep.
What bed-time tricks do you suggest? “Wrap it up and connect”. While you are helping your child put his or her pyjamas on, or changing the nappy, talk about what you’ve done during the day, what you are doing now and then what will happen next. For example: “Today we went to the beach and played with the sand. We paddled in the water and built little castles, and you had such fun, stepping on them, didn’t you?” Wait for the response and then continue describing highlights of the day until your child is ready for sleep. Then, help your child into bed and kiss him or her good-night. Say that you will check on him/her soon and then switch off the light and leave. And make sure that you do what you said, and check a little later.
What should you not do before sleep time? Studies have shown that screen time can affect the quality of our sleep, making it difficult to stay asleep and causing some children to have nightmares. It is recommended to have at least one hour free of screen time before bedtime. Quiet games like puzzles, building
blocks or colouring are more soothing than running and jumping around with loud music. What is eaten is also important and anything containing caffeine or sugar should be avoided in the three hours before bedtime.
How can you tell if your child is over-tired? The ability of children to stay awake is a roller coaster. When they are ‘up’ is when they should be awake and when they are ‘down’ they should be asleep. When they need to sleep they will often slow down, exhibit a lack of focus and prefer quiet activities. When they are overtired they will appear cranky and fidgety and it will be more difficult for them to get to sleep. Then, like in the roller coaster, they will need to be ‘up’ to be able to enter a calm stage where they will be able to sleep.
What would you tell parents who can only get their baby to sleep in a moving car? A baby that will generally only go to sleep in a moving car is relying on the motion of the vehicle. To change what can become a routine, I would suggest that the parents make a gentle transition by offering the same kind of motion as part of the bedtime routine at home – and sticking to it. You could do this until your baby is asleep and then carrying him/her into the cot or bed to sleep. As the days go by, reduce the amount of the ‘car’ motion and let the baby be more aware of being in the cot. As always, be sure your child is not over-tired and has a soothing bedtime routine.
Do you suggest keeping to a sleep routine when on holiday? Yes, some of some type. New places and new people can be really overwhelming for our children so it is important that we are able to offer them some kind of routine that makes them feel safe going to sleep in a new place. Taking a few of their favourite books and maintaining the same routine at bedtime can also help a lot.
How strict should a parent be and what do you suggest for parents who easily give in to their child s tantrum when he/she does not want to go to bed? I would not use the word “strict”, but if you are unhappy with a situation and want to change it, you need to be very consistent. This means being consistent with your actions and expectations, with your health
and that of your child. Have a plan, create a routine with which you and your child are comfortable and use it consistently, allowing your child to unwind and to look forward to it. Work together with others care-givers, and be patient.
What factors can change the sleep routine or the number of times a baby or toddler wakes up during the night? It depends. Since the temperament of every child is differently, there are various reasons. Children that go to sleep independently will wake up fewer times than those that rely on something being done for them in order to go to sleep because they will often need it to actually stay asleep. Big events and feeling unwell can affect the sleep pattern of most children, in the same way that they do for adults. Others circumstances such as room temperature, noise, light or hunger and bowel movements are things that we can either prevent or take action to prevent and thus confidently avoid sleep disruption.
What is a sign that a child is not getting enough sleep? Sleep-deprived children demonstrate changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating and regulating their emotions, suffer from headaches, hyperactivity, impulsivity and ‘crankiness’, have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep and wake up more frequently in the night. Sleep deprivation is accumulative, so the less a child sleeps, the less he or she is likely to sleep. Falling into a sleep deprivation cycle has shown tendencies to continue into childhood, where signs can even resemble the symptoms of ADHD.
Can a child who goes to sleeps at midnight without a tantrum ever fall asleep earlier? Yes. When a child goes to sleep late and wakes up late it can be a case of ‘inverted circadian rhythm’. By allowing the child’s body the opportunity to move that clock to an earlier time – at the same time being gentle and respectful of the child’s needs – can achieve an earlier bedtime. Daniela can be contacted by telephone on 9995 9857, on Skype: danielasleepcoach and Facebook: Daniela Sleep Coach. For more information visit her website: www.danielasleepcoach.com 41
The rise of the
ONE-CHILD FAMILY
Bu Dini Martinez
cross the EU, only one-sixth of all households are composed of three people or more. Those with more than four are rare, those with five account for fewer than 4.5 per cent and those with six or more for less than two per cent. In the UK, over half of all parents have decided to stop at one child, and most other EU countries are not far off. In the USA, 20 per cent of families only have one child and in some places, like Seattle, half of all households with children are one-child families. Similarly, Australian family statistics are reflected by the Maltese population there, with two-thirds of those with children mostly comprised of one-child-families. These are the figures, but what lies behind them? Why, in today’s world, are women, couples and families choosing to have the number of children they have? First has asked around and, not surprisingly, the reasons and answers for having one or more children were as diverse as each family. While some of the answers – such as age, fertility issues and financial restraints – were to be expected, others left us astonished or amused.
Age The average woman in Malta gives birth at the age of just under 27 and yet overall in the western world, most are choosing to have babies much later in life. Laura did not think she wanted children but “when I hit 36, everything changed.” Not surprisingly, many mothers we spoke to simply “ran out of time” to have more than one. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, such as 43-year-old Anna who is trying for her fifth. “I have had four children in four years,” she said, “so my body needs to work hard. Children are an incredible gift and we had no idea how much happiness they could bring.” However, most mums over 40 felt exhausted enough and “over 42
sleepless nights” like Mala: “Maybe if I’d started in my 20s I’d be open to having three or four, but definitely not now. I’m too old for sleepless nights, plus I love having a boy and a girl.”
Fertility and Health Issues Others lacked a suitable partner until it was too late, or are struggling with infertility, even if one child was conceived naturally or through IVF. Those who chose to adopt seemed to either be waiting for another opportunity or, due to the long, tedious, expensive and complex adoption process, have contented themselves with just one. Che’s decision – she has Type 1 diabetes – was based on different health issues: “I had Max when I was 33. I was told as a child in the 1980s that, in most cases, diabetics were unable to have children. My first pregnancy was very easy and we decided to go for a second. Joshua took a lot longer to come along than expected and, due to diabetes, my pregnancy with him was nearly fatal for me a couple of times. Under these circumstances, I would never ever have a third – a miracles, money and time reversal excepted.”
One is enough An increasing number of families consciously chose to only have one child. A sociologist from Kent University explains: “It fulfils parents’ need to carry on the bloodline without having to make as much commitment.” My friend Sally was craving to have children until finally, at the age of 39, her partner and her fertility aligned to make it possible. Whilst she had wanted more than one, four years of sleepless nights and a highly demanding child later, she is now content as is. There’s probably “no greater shock to the system than going from zero to one.” The infant and toddler years can affect mental health and relationships in many ways. Thus, whilst opinions along the lines of “wanting to go out at night and have my relationship with my partner back” might sound selfish or short-sighted, looking at an average of 70 per cent divorce rate in western countries, they are valid points. Unenjoyable pregnancies or traumatic birth experiences can also keep women from having another child. Moreover, working women often find it hard to not only juggle pregnancy and the expectations of their jobs, but also to find a healthy balance between family, career and the rest of lives. Some, like Clive who is father to a one-year-old, want their child to have their undivided attention and cannot imagine coming up with enough extra
love, time and financial means for another one. And whilst almost everyone who has more than one swears by the fact that love multiplies the more you have and give, finances certainly don’t. They are increasingly a decisive factor in family planning. Amy, who is 29, resolved to wait several more years before trying for a sibling for her one-year-old: “I’d like to see our bank account grow before.
Two is perfect
Two is the statistical number of children needed to sustain a population, and for many couples this represents the ideal number – even more so if it comes in the form of one of each gender. Bianca, who is 44 and mother to a 10 and a 13-year-old, clarifies: “Two felt neat and we could provide them opportunities that may have been harder if we’d had more. Also, I was keen to get back to my career and other interests.” Monica stopped at two “Because paying private school fees for three would be impossible.” Many parents of two or more felt very strongly about the benefits of having a sibling. Tom’s main reason for having a second was that “the first needs to learn to share and not be self-centred.” Gia, who has five siblings herself and has lived in South Africa, Australia and now Malta with her primary school-aged children, read the book Celestine Prophecy when she was 18: “It said ‘two children, one for each hand, one for each parent’! It made perfect sense to me! My husband only wanted one child. Thanks to a five-year age-gap, we have two and are so happy!” BJ, with family overseas and little extra support, seems to have plenty of reasons to go with two: “As a neighbour with three once pointed out to me, when you have that third child, you switch from Man-to-Man to Zonedefence. Carly only wanted two and their third was “an accident, plain and simple, but I wouldn’t change things for the world.”
The more the merrier
Our neighbour desperately wanted a girl following her two boys – and ended up with a set of male twins. An old school friend from a family of four, who recently moved from Zurich to London, also ended up with four boys. Whilst both have stopped trying for a girl, Brittany – who lives on a boat in the Caribbean and unexpectedly found her second pregnancy to be a twin one – might go for a fourth to “enjoy one baby, as with the twins it was pure survival.” Others find themselves in the increasingly common structures of patch-
THE INFANT AND TODDLER YEARS CAN AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS IN MANY WAYS. THUS, WHILST OPINIONS ALONG THE LINES OF “WANTING TO GO OUT AT NIGHT AND HAVE MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY PARTNER BACK” MIGHT SOUND SELFISH OR SHORTSIGHTED, LOOKING AT AN AVERAGE OF 70 PER CENT DIVORCE RATE IN WESTERN COUNTRIES, THEY ARE VALID POINTS. work families. Then, despite only having one child, they nevertheless end up with numerous family – or at least every other weekend or so. Grandpa Ian says he had four children “because it took a while to work out what was causing them.” Whilst I’ve heard a scarce few say that the shift to being out-numbered has broken the family balance, personally moving from two to three hasn’t made much of a difference. I would go for another one as I somewhat paradoxically find grounding and sustained happiness in the chaos of family life, along the lines of “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Mariana, who is also mother to three under six, feels similar: “My heart and hormones say ‘don’t stop’! My head and finances say: Don’t even think about it.” While in Mariana’s case her husband made a final decision with a vasectomy the day after their third child was born, what’s keeping me from a fourth is the thought of global over-population. In a world where our planet’s equilibrium and resources are being challenged and stretched to the maximum, arguably having fewer children is better for the good of everyone. Having said that, this is a very personal, multi-faceted choice and, with as many reasons as families, there shouldn’t be any judgment either way. After all, even in the age of abundant birthcontrol options, there still remains a sparkle of Divine intervention in the process of pregnancy, birth and beyond. 43
Photo by Ritzfotos
Photo by John Ambrogio
Masquerade Malta Alegria Celebrating Academia de Baile Flamenco 20 Years
Photo by John Ambrogio
legria is the only dance school in Malta and Gozo that specialises in flamenco. The school’s director, Ingrid Sciberras, makes sure that all the beginners receive a sound foundation in flamenco and that all Alegria students are given an insight into the way of life, traditions and culture of Andalucia. Ingrid and Estelle Bonello Sant, the school’s choreographer, trained for a number of years in Spain, working with top maestros, and all the school’s teachers have been trained in Spain and have vast experience in the dance and history of flamenco. Apart from flamenco technique and choreography, the school also follows the Alianza Flamenca syllabus – sharing an insight into the rhythm, mood and technique of the dance, with an option to sit for assessments at the end of the scholastic year. The school offers particular attention to stage presence in preparation for performances. Alegria regularly attends the Festival de Jerez and the Bienal de Sevilla and prepares students to attend courses for both events. The school offers awards and local and foreign scholarships, with the aim of providing as many opportunities as possible to improve standards. It also invites various artists to give workshops in Malta. Realising a dancer’s passion is what Alegria Academia sets out to do. Its intention is to inspire, educate, prepare and shape dancers of all ages, all physiques and abilities, and to add joy to the lives of its students through dance.
years ago anthony bezzina had a vision. He wanted to change the Maltese public’s perception of theatre from a meaningless pastime to a valuable profession. A difficult feat, but one that Tony, along with his wife Veronica, faced head on. It is no surprise that 20 years since Masquerade’s inception, Dr.Seuss’s quote‘Your Mountain is Waiting’ is clearly visible to all students as they go up to their fun-filled classes. These words do not only serve as an inspirational quote to their students but it is clear that Tony and Veronica have adopted this statement as their very own personal motto. In his first ever interview, Tony said that within 10 years of its inception Masquerade students would be furthering their studies and theatre training offshore. However, 20 years down the line, not only are some of his previous students working as professional actors abroad, but Masquerade has its own premises, M Space which was launched in 2012. M Space is a six-storey building comprised of 14 state-of-art studios, a fully-equipped Music Studio, an intimate theatre space, Blue Box and its very own food outlet; a far cry from Masquerade’s modest beginnings in a much smaller but charming space in Floriana. However, despite growing in scale, Masquerade has retained the family feel that has characterised the school from the very beginning. Francesca Fenech, the first person to ever register at the arts school after her debut in their production of Annie at just 7 years old, recalls how she felt at home at Masquerade, and always showed up
early as she looked forward to her chats with Veronica in the office. Now 27, and working as a professional actress in London, Francesca says that her years there ultimately led her to follow her passion; “It was everything to me as a child. It cemented my love for theatre and it’s what made me want to work in the industry today.” Apart from it being successful as a school for the performing arts, Masquerade Theatre Company also has a solid repertoire of nearly 100 productions of different genres, ranging from family oriented spectacles such as Seussical the Musical and their Christmas pantomimes, to more hardhitting material such as Doubt and more recently Venus in Fur. “This is a history which will propel Masquerade into another 20 years through a foundation for the arts,” says anthony bezzina, “a foundation run by the very same students who have invested time and energy in making this arts company what it is today!”
Photo by Ritzfotos
“realizar su pasión”
45
M...m...m...mimli mostri Re-written in Maltese by Clare Azzopardi
Do your children groan at the sight of books? Would they rather scrub the floor and dust the furniture than be asked to stretch out on a sofa with a book in hand? This is a problem which is often faced by parents whose children are reluctant readers. The reasons can be various: maybe they did not have a good exposure to reading from an early age, or maybe they
46
are dyslexic, or could it simply be that they are more comfortable reading in English and find reading in Maltese more of an arduous task? Chris Gruppetta, Merlin Publishers’ director, says that when that happens, children will try to turn to easier books. “They choose books with fewer words, less complex sentences and less difficult vocabulary,” he said. In English, books
for reluctant readers are a-plenty, and they are planned in such a way that the reading level is easy but, at the same time, the interest level is more complex in order to retain the interest of older children. In Maltese, however, so far there are no books that cater for eight, nine or 10year old children whose reading levels are equivalent to children aged four or five. “The result is that these children usually have to turn to books that are aimed at young children – but these will turn them off reading completely, as the story-lines are usually childish and a nine-year-old would refuse to read something ‘babyish’,” he says. With the aim of filling this gap, Merlin Publishers are launching a new series of five books, M…m…m…mimli mostri. They are all a bit spooky, witty and chock-a-block with mystery: Il-Fatat, LIskeletru, Is-Saħħara l-Kerha, Il-Vampir and Il-Babaw. The stories and pictures are aimed at older children, and are not in the least childish. “At the same time, the vocabulary level and the sentence structure is contained in such a way as to boost the children’s reading confidence in Maltese,” said Dr Gruppetta. Based on Catalan tales, these stories were translated into Maltese by Clare
Azzopardi. “I re-wrote the stories to appeal to Maltese children, but we kept the same illustrations – and that was a challenging and fun adventure for me,” she said. The illustrations called for scary, but witty, stories, which she was delighted to write, but all the time she kept in mind the children who are not strong readers: “So I made sure that the vocabulary used was not heavy or pedantic.” In Il-Fatat, we meet Count Karlesku, who runs an advertisement in a newspaper to fill the vacancy for a castle ghost. The witch in Is-Saħħara l-Kerha wants to find a potion to stop frightening people. L-Iskeletru is the story of a childskeleton called ‘Għadmu’ who wants to play football with the other children but, because his body is made up of bones, he cannot really kick properly. Lampir the vampire in Il-Vampir turns into a bat at night and goes in search of a dentist because his teeth are still not sharp enough to bite. And in Il Babaw, we meet a bogeyman who has lost his ability to scare children. The M…m…m…mimli mostri series is available for sale at all bookshops or online from merlinpublishers.com
Top Image taken by Pierre Tapon
Fully Licensed Dance school providing excellent dance training. A qualified and experienced Teaching Faculty prepares students for internationally accredited examinations. Courses available in Classical Ballet, Modern Theatre Jazz, Commercial, Tap Dance, Spanish Dance, Contemporary Dance and Teaching courses leading to ISTD DDI & DDE qualifications.
As a little girl, former JCDC student BRENDA LEE GRECH had a dream, that of becoming a real ballerina! Today Brenda Lee is the first and only Maltese professional dancer. She has worked with the Scottish Ballet and now works with Rambert – Britain’s National Contemporary Dance Company.
Ar s c Director: Johane Casabene Fellow & Tutor I.S.T.D. (London), Masters in Dance & Related Subjects L.U.D.T. (Italy) Mob: 9942 7933 | Email: info@casabene.com
www.casabene.com
48
Photograpgh of Gabrielle Chanel by Man Ray, 1937
ith GABRIELLE CHANEL fragrance, perfumer Olivier Polge, in cooperation with the CHANEL Fragrance Creation and Development Laboratory, has given flowers a brand new voice. He has done this by composing a dream flower, an explosive corolla, a whirlwind of petals. This pure product of the mind has created an ideal white flower, drawing on all the floral varieties ever recorded in the history of CHANEL fragrances. Olivier Polge began by selecting ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange blossom, along with a touch of tuberose now grown in Grasse, but then took his conception of white flowers much further. By varying their range and deciphering their score, he took an interest in the molecules iof which they are composed. He increased the intensity of the jasmine. He used white musk notes to add more velvet to the ylang-ylang petalsand accentuated the creaminess of tuberose with milky sandalwood. He boosted the freshness of orange blossom with mandarin peel, the zest of grapefruit and a hint of blackcurrant. The imaginary flower does more than produce an olfactory vibration of the skin: it diffuses its luminous power like a floral halo. GABRIELLE CHANEL is not just a fragrance, it is a genuine revolution. Available in 50ml and 100ml format. Chanel is distributed by Alfred Gera & Sons Ltd
49
KAREN MILLEN aren Millen’s distinctive AW17 collection captures the essence of the confident woman, living her life with energy, sass and passion. With places to go, people to see and plans to make, the collection creates outfit solutions for her life’s every moment – from immaculate tailoring to the elusive ‘24- hour’ dress and high-octane evening-wear, designed to dazzle. Bold, glamorous and considered, the collection packs a punch, with silhouette-loving shapes, vivacious prints and sumptuous fabrics across 50
two key themes: Come Undone and Feminine Grandeur. Tactile velvet and faux fur take centre stage alongside opulent embroidery, power ruffles and their signature detailing, as imagined at their in-house atelier, while pops of red, teal, gold and magenta command attention – just like her. Bags come quilted, studded and cross-body, in practical and pretty new proportions for the season. Boots come with sharply powerful metal heels, while evening shoes are encrusted with sparkling jewels in a colour palette of winter berry and midnight teal, anchored with ivory, black and neutral. Visit: Karen Millen, Old Theatre Street, Valletta Contact: 9989 7642 Like on Facebook: Karen-Millen-Malta
Fashion Frenzy Update your look
SPECS FROM O’HEA Going back to school after summer entails a lot of preparation, and one important thing to do is to get your child’s eyes checked before they start. O’hea can provide the full service of eye testing, and if specs are needed they have a fantastic range to offer for children of all ages: an array of colours and brands including Ralph Lauren , RayBan, Carrera, Tommy Hilfiger, Polaroid, Dolce & Gabbana. Choose from two offers this year: A 25 per cent discount on the purchase of specs and lenses, or buy two specs complete with lenses and the second comes at half the price. O’hea Opticians, 191 The Strand Gzira, tel 21315590
THE WORKING WOMEN As striking as ever, this year’s professional woman wouldn’t dare leave the house without our key wardrobe piece – a tailored jacket in navy, black, grey or light pink! The cut is simply impeccable and looks incredible when teamed with a printed shirt. The overall style? This jacket works well during the day for the office, but can be accessorised with a mix of fabrics and jewellery for any occasion. It’s so adaptable… and oh-so-elegant! Available at 123 Paris.
ALDO Evening events often come with formal invitations and usually specify a dress code. You’ll probably be heading off with a date you want to impress. Well, mission accomplished. Get tangled up in these geometric webs of nubuck leather heels, they come with an ankle strap and ideally worn with a killer outfit and undeniable appeal.
KAREN MILLEN Spacious enough for your day-time essentials but compact enough to complement sleek evening looks, our mini black bucket bag features stylish diamond cut-out detailing. It has an inside zip-fastening swing pocket and is finished with KMembossed metal branding.
A place in the Shade Porto’s stylish range of UPF50+ sun hats for men and women are available in a variety of styles and colours to suit any occasion. Designed and tested in Australia, they meet the highest UPF rating and offer excellent sun protection. Emthunzini Hats are perfect for any occasion – be it a trip to the beach, a day on the boat, a walk or a round of golf. Our hats are crushable, washable and fully adjustable which makes them the perfect travel accessory too. For any enquiries email us on sales@sunhats.com.mt. Connect on Facebook, and Instagram (@sunhatsmt). Now also available at Porto at the Hilton and Porto at Portomaso Shopping Complex.
TRENCH COAT Trench Coat with Stormwear from M&S is designed for a regular silhouette. It is your “go-to” outer wear this season, with a variety of exclusive features such as Stormwear technology that keeps you dry with a clever water repellent textile. Moreover, The Buttonsafe technology uses special heat fused buttons that won’t fall off. Since the trench coat can take you from day to night, the crease resistant technology stops clothes from creasing during wear, and ensures creases fall out more easily.
F&F Fashioned in a vibrant red hue, this F&F shirt dress is cut from textured crepe and features feminine drawstring ruching at the three quarter length sleeves. Finished with a self tie belt, the dress will complement black tights and knee high boots with ease. 51
Paco Rabanne is always where you least expect it: iconoclastic, offbeat, essential; capturing the spirit of the times only to go against the grain., with a knack for provocation, inherited from its founder, cultivated with irony. At Paco Rabanne, creation is a shock and always breaks away from the norm. The fragrances say ‘no’ to conformity and ‘yes’ to all fantasies. The fabulous life in one snap of your fingers with 1 Million and its Lady. The legend of the hero and goddess revisited by Invictus and Olympéa. And, finally, excess played up in the XS saga. In 1993, the XS fragrance paved the way for – and claimed – sexual desire, free of taboos. Then came the rock star fantasy with Black XS. In 2017, PURE XS announces the comeback of sex, or rather eroticism – with excess in its very genes.
Pure XS, a story of excess
PACO RABANNE, THE MASTER OF FANTASIES
A fantasy embodied by an excessively perfect and perfectly indecent man, Pure XS is excess in its purest state, implicit, explicit and pure fantasy. Pure XS is the duality of a man with a noble upbringing and sexual power. He merges decency and daring, vice and virtue with magnetic results. The fragrance: a fresh-smouldering Oriental. For the olfactory signature of Pure XS, Paco Rabanne called on the combined talents of two perfumers at IFF: Anne Flipo, creator of the Lady Million fragrance, and Caroline Dumur. The challenge was to convey the sensation of skin shivering with desire and burning with pleasure in an olfactory expression. This idea of a “smouldering shiver” guided the perfumers to achieve a composition with two accords that contrast and harmonise with each other: a body-to-body caught between two contrary excesses. The fragrance also had to call on all the senses: smell, of course, but also taste and touch – like a sensory trap. Pure XS is a vibrant, magnetic and fresh oriental with a permanent in-and-out between cold and hot, gentle and intense: two sensations on edge, brushing against, attracting and echoing each other. The first excess: explosive freshness. During this foreplay, the senses go wild and the palate tingles with an overdose of almost icy ginger. A juicy, delicious, bite-inducing aphrodisiac. A carnal second wind: the green creaminess of vegetal sap and ultramasculine thyme. The second excess and double indecency: smouldering sensuality: cinnamon adds a piquant touch and makes mouths water – a spicy sin! This is followed by a surge of power with deep, noble vanilla infused with leather-liquor-musk inflections: sweet animality. Finally, it’s time to let go and sink into the pulsing warmth of myrrh dusted with sugar – a sensation of overheated skin entering an altered state and, quickly, a pure longing to indulge once again.
Pure XS builds up tension and dizzies the senses. An overdose of ginger, a shiver swells up. An explosion of animal vanilla and myrrh. Overheated skin… a fresh, smouldering and fascinating oriental – Excess in its purest state. 52
SHOPPING BASKET
Tom’s Company: A wide selection of unique figurines and decorative objects by the renowned Tom’s Company, are available at Henri Luxury Gift Boutique. The quirky creations make great original gift ideas for him, for her, or just for yourself! Outlets: Pjazza Tigné and Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306, visit www.henri.com.mt or follow on facebook/henrimalta
Tea pots and cups: What self-respecting tea-lover doesn’t love pouring a delicious brew from a stylish teapot, into an equally eye-catching cup? Check out the range of teapots and cups at Henri Luxury Gift Boutique. Henri – unique gift ideas for him, for her, or just for yourself. Outlets: Pjazza Tigné and Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306, visit www.henri.com.mt or follow on facebook/henrimalta
Inspired by Valentina, her world and her lifestyle, Acqua Floreale is like a leisurely stroll in the midst of nature, immersed in the sensual and exciting fragrances of a summer garden. It is a unique and elegant floral fragrance. The sparkling freshness of bergamot is combined with more delicate, feminine notes of neroli and is followed by a harmonious blend of mimosa, jasmine, orange blossom, and tuberose. Warm and sensuous accords of amber and patchouli complete the bouquet. The result is an elegant and sophisticated eau de toilette full of luminosity, energy and freshness. It awakens the senses and is an element of seduction, accentuating the vibrant joie de vivre of the modern Valentino woman.
Jean Paul Gaultier: Scandal, the fragrance of a woman who is free and strong. The heart of this fragrance is about life. In the daytime, it is a gourmand, fresh honey that smells like Gardenia and Blood Orange, almost childhood. At night it is a sensual and seductive honey blended with patchouli. The perfumer, Daphne Bugey (with Fabrice Pellegrin, and Christophe Raynaud) had one thought in mind: to create a perfume that could entirely embody. For the three of them, the answer was Scandal. A perfume of scandal that also embodies so terribly well... Jean Paul Gaultier! Exclusively distributed by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. Tel: 21331553.
Valentino: Valentina Blush. The newest addition to the Valentina collection, Valentina Blush is an unpredictable and mischievous interpretation. Like the raw edge of fine silk, Valentina Blush subverts olfactory expectations while seducing the senses. The new scent establishes a place in the Valentina family defined not through intellect but through emotion, an intuitive new chapter in the Valentina story. Orange blossom is wrapped in indulgent notes of praline, in this unexpected vision by perfumer Alexis Dadier. Exclusively distributed by Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. Tel: 21331553.
Nero lanterns: Have a look at these exquisite Nero Lattice lanterns by Mdina Glass. Mouth-blown glass is encased in a metal structure and finished off with a high-grade leather handle. Available in three sizes and a range of colour options, they look stunning during the day and even more so at night, when lit with a candle. See them at Mdina Glass outlets and online: mdinaglass.com.mt. For more information call 2141 5786, email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt or follow on facebook.com/mdinaglass
Oil and vinegar bottles: Mdina Glass has just created their popular oil and vinegar bottles in the vibrant colourful patterns of the Lifestyle range. A total of 10 colours make up the collection and they come with a clear or frosted glass finish. They will add a splash of colour and fun to any kitchen or table setting. See the options at Mdina Glass outlets or online at www.mdinaglass.com.mt. For more info call 2141 5786, email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt or follow facebook.com/mdinaglass
WE ARE GIVING AWAY A bottle of Valentina Acqua Floreale by Valentino (50ml) courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery. For a chance to win, answer the following question: Mention a female architect and one of their design creations mentioned in this issue. Like First magazine on Facebook and send your answer the good, old-fashioned way, by post, to: FIRST COMPETITION, The Malta Independent on Sunday, Birkirkara Hill, St Julian’s, by 25 September.
WINNERS from the AUGUST ISSUE Carmen Borg from Mqabba has won a bottle of Her Secret Temptation Antonio Banderas Eau de Toilette (50ml) and Mark Frendo from Sliema has won a bottle of The Secret Temptation Antonio Banderas Eau de Toilette (50ml) both courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery.
53
54
with Maltese actress Antonella Axisa
A
t the moment my biggest project is a short film that I’m producing with the help of the Malta Film Commission and their Malta Film Fund. This is the first time that I’m producing a project that’s completely my own and it brings with it a lot of responsibilities (read ‘stress’) and hard work. On top of dealing with the management of it all, I also play one of the two characters in the film, so I’ve also had to divide my time between producer and actress duties and making sure I perform both roles in the best possible way. I have also just finished presenting a documentary about the Malta Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale. This is the first time that Malta has taken part in such an important art showcase in many years. I attended the opening in May, which was a great experience, but I didn’t know I would be presenting a documentary about it at the time. Then the producer asked me if I was interested and I jumped at the opportunity to talk about something that I had seen firsthand and enjoyed so much. The documentary should be airing soon on TVM.
How would you describe yourself in three words? Lively (more like ‘full of life’, but that would have taken up my three-word credit), creative and determined.
How did you get into acting? I guess I could say I was always into acting from when I was a very little girl. I remember taking part in every single school play that the teachers would allow me to, and that was always the favourite time for me at school. I did well academically too, but I always knew that my place was on the stage.
What is your dream in terms of your career in the future? Sometimes I find it hard to understand people who say they don’t know what they’d like to do in life because it was always crystal clear for me. The problem is that real life gets in the way of our passions and sometimes we give up on them – at least temporarily. At the moment, I’m doing exactly what I always wanted to do, which is working as a creative on a full-time basis, mostly in the area of the performing arts. In terms of what I dream for my career, it is basically coming true at the moment with the short film that I’m producing. The idea is to create work that excites me, perhaps create work that I myself would like to see. Another dream would be to have a more international career, but that is very
hard to achieve, especially once you take the decision to have your base in Malta. If we’re talking big, big dreams, then it would be playing a meaty role in a film directed by Pedro Almodovar, David Lynch or Baz Luhrmann. I would also love to be in a successful Maltese theatre production (which could be in the Maltese or English language or a mixture of both ideally) that tours internationally.
What is your role in the drama series Hbieb u Ghedewwa and what is the work like? In the soap opera Ħbieb u Għedewwa I play the role of Ashley. This will be the third season in which I’ve interpreted this colourful, impulsive, bigger-than-life character that seems to make people smile with all her mishaps. As for the process, once the production team sends us the filming schedule, I look up what scenes I’m in and wait for the script to come through email. I read the scenes and let them simmer in my head for a few days, and then I go back to them a few days later to study the lines by heart. At this point, I don’t need to work hard on getting into character because I know Ashley so well and she comes very naturally to me. Before filming, I have to prepare the clothes, shoes and accessories that I need for the scenes and pack huge bags, since we usually film quite a few scenes at one go, and sometimes spend whole weekends filming. My friends have begun to realise when I’m filming the next day, especially when I leave parties on Friday or Saturday nights early – which would absolutely not be the case on normal days! We have been filming with a core team of crew and actors for the past three years, so we’ve come to know each other very well and we always have a laugh on set.
Tel us about the series on books with which you have been involved? I’ve just finished filming a series of programmes called Xi qrajt dan l-aħħar? (What have you read recently?) which was produced by the National Book Council and aired during prime time on TVM. It was a very successful series that I thoroughly enjoyed, as I interviewed authors, publishers and other people involved in the publishing industry about a book they had read recently and they spoke about it for five minutes. The format was very simple and the guests had to be concise to fit in what they had to say about the book so, in today’s fast world of very short attention spans, this worked very well for our audiences. I also met so many local authors, which was a huge pleasure as they’re all quite unique characters. However, this is not the end of my collaboration with the National Book Council as we are also
working on a new series that will also be based on interviews with authors, but in a completely different format. We’ll have to wait for more details about this one.
And your other recent projects? This year has been great and I haven’t really stopped working. One recent project – of which I was very proud – was co-presenting the opening and closing ceremonies of the Valletta Film Festival in June. I love the world of film and I think that Malta really needed a film festival and finally we got a great one. Co-hosting these ceremonies (with fellow actor Thomas Camilleri) was a lot of fun and everyone seemed to have enjoyed our attempts at making the whole event nice and light. Another great project was playing the Police Commissioner in the cabaret Balzunetta Towers, which was part of the Malta International Arts Festival. I loved creating the character together with the director, and the fact that I had to sing and dance on stage was also quite a new challenge for me, but one which I’d be very happy to take up again. Audience attendance was great, and so was their feedback, so the whole project left me wanting to do more of this sort of show.
What are your communication tools? I always try to keep up-to-date with today’s technologies and social media. When I lived and studied in Los Angeles, one of the first things they teach you there is how to market yourself properly because the competition in LA is so stiff that you have no other choice but to learn the ropes very quickly. That is why, since then, I’ve tried to keep all the tools of an actor updated and that means taking professional headshots regularly to keep your look updated, having a good show-reel that showcases your range on screen, having an informative website where people can get all the information they need about you and, of course, being active on social media.
What’s next for you? I have many things coming up: I never really stop! So apart from the short film that I’m producing and the new programme with the National Book Council, I’m also preparing to present a few events at the National Book Festival in November and a few more events here and there. Anontella Axisa is an ambassador for O’Hea Opticians. Find out more about Antonella Axixa: Website: www.antonellaaxisa.com; Showreel: https://vimeo.com/188869244; Facebook: www.facebook.com/antonellaaxisaofficial; IMDB: www.imdb.me/antonellaaxisa 55
First_Mag_240x339_Gabrielle_Malte.indd 1
16/08/2017 15:09