UNFILTERED DXB ISSUE 0001

CELEBRATING REAL-LIFE HEROES

NOOR INAYAT KHAN WAS NOT WHAT ONE WOULD EXPECT TO BE A BRITISH SPY. SHE WAS A PRINCESS, BORN INTO ROYALTY IN INDIA.

SHE FELT MORALLY OBLIGED TO HELP IN THE WAR EFFORTS AND WAS THE FIRST FEMALE RADIO OPERATOR TO BE SENT INTO NAZI-OCCUPIED FRANCE, BECOMING A SECRET AGENT.

SHE WAS EVENTUALLY CAUGHT BUT HER EFFORTS HELPED THE BRITISH IN THE WAR SIGNIFICANTLY.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OMAIRA FAROOQ

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JESSICA COMBES BEAUTY EDITOR LAURE SEJEAN ILLUSTRATION EDITOR RINKU AWTANI PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR STEFFIE NEVE JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ISABELLA RANJANA REINHOLDT CONTRIBUTING MAKEUP ARTISTS

SARAH SEQUEIRA, FIZAH PASHA, TANYA GAJRIA, ENRICA BHATIA, SHASIA SETHI CONTRIBUTORS

CIARA O’SHEA, ANNA AL QASSIMI ROBERTS, NOELLE EL SAADANY, ABEER AL TAMIMI, MAHA GORTON, DR. SALIHA AFRIDI, JASMINE NAVARRO, DR. CHRISTINE KRITZAS DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR

MHAR BELOVED

The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of contents therof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Published and distributed by Licensee UNFILTEREDDXB LLC, 3524 SILVERSIDE ROAD SUITE 35B, WILMINGTON, DE 19820-4929 USA

Published by UNFILTEREDDXB LLC 2022 ©

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

THIS EDITION IS PRINTED QUARTERLY BY UNFILTEREDDXB LLC USA www.unfiltereddxb.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

38

Page 05 Foreword by HH Sheikha Maryam Al Nahyan

Page 07 What We Stand For

Page 08 Meet the Founders

Page 09 Meet the Gang

OPINION

Page 12 Unfiltered –

The Good, The Bad, and The Honest

Page 34 Why the Future is Ours to Mould

Page 36 Women to Watch

ART

Page 02 Illustration by Rinku Awtani

Page 10 Illustration by Rinku Awtani

Page 36 Inspirational women of the region

Page 87 Illustration by Rinku Awtani

FASHION

Page 14 Queen of the Sahraa

Page 15 Princess of the Nile

Page 16 Seeing Double

Page 18 Dar Luxury

Page 20 Double Trouble

Page 22 Mama Mia

Page 24 Who Left the Stove On?

Page 26 Rock ‘n Roll Dancing Queens

Page 28 Fancy Feet

Page 30 Inquiring about Inclusivity

INTERVIEWS

Page 38 Brush Strokes

Page 40 Clay Creations

Page 42 Breaking Barriers

Page 44 Pioneering Empowerment

Page 46 Marmari Magic

Page 47 Pretty with a Purpose

80

Page 48 Embracing Culture

Page 49 Painting with Passion

Page 50 Just Keep Moving

Page 51 Art with Impact

FEATURES

Page 52 Myth Busting Miscarriages

Page 54 It’s All in Your Head

Page 56 All Shapes and Sizes

Page 58 The Aftermath of Abuse

Page 60 Getting to Grips with Guilt

Page 62 How Many Thoughts Are Your Own?

Page 64 It’s Ok not to be Ok

BEAUTY

Page 66 What Laure Loves

Page 68 A Family Affair

Page 70 Beauty Laid Bare

Page 72 The Full Package Page 74 The Skin I’m In Page 76 Worth 1000 words

KIDS

Page 78 Best Foot Forward Page 80 The Bully Breakdown

Page 82 Why My Teens Can’t Use Social Media

Page 84 Parenting During the Pandemic

SPECIAL MENTION

Page 86 Thank You

s a woman who is proud of her heritage and where she comes from, I feel truly honoured to be asked to contribute to this unique publication and platform.

It’s one that instantly captured my imagination through its commitment to telling stories and sharing the dreams of women from all walks of life.

Storytelling is always something that has been close to my heart as it allows you to communicate the ethos and vision of a person to a wider audience. Each story is the voice of an individual taken to a wider audience and amplified for everyone to hear. As this is a shared goal between myself and this platform, I look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration that will allow us to give a voice not only to Emiratis but to women from all over the world.

HH Sheikha Mariam Bint Khalifa Bin Saif Al Nahyan Founder of MKS Jewellery

Meet the Founders

OMAIRA FAROOQ, 41 Emirati Founder and Editor-in-Chief Unifiltereddxb, UnfilteredKSA, UnfilteredNYC and UnfitleredLDN

Omaira studied Psychology and Criminal Studies at the University of San Francisco, graduating with a double major. She then went on to complete her master’s degree in Criminology, becoming one of the first Emiratis in the field of Criminology in 2001. In 2017 she gave a Ted Talk where she discussed the bridge between Eastern and Western mentalities. A certified Coach and NLP provider. Omaira founded ALF administration in 2012 to help divorced and widowed women of the region gain the skills they needed to get a job or return to work. Omaira also founded the training and development segment of ALF where she helps Emirati, GCC and expat university students in core foundation skill classes.

@omairaofficial

JESSICA COMBES, 40 British South African Founder and Editor-in-Chief Unifltereddxb, UnfilteredKSA, UnfilteredNYC and UnfilteredLDN

Jessica studied a Bachelor of Arts at Rhodes University and majored in Legal Theory and Clinical Psychology. A language geek, she moved to Japan to teach English as part of the JET Program where she qualified to teach English as a second language. After three years she moved to Bali to teach and while there, she studied her Freelance Feature Writing diploma through the London School of Journalism. She spent a year in Australia and another two in South Africa before moving to Dubai after accepting the position of Editor at FinanceME, a magazine dedicated to the SME sector in the GCC. Since 2019 she has written for different publications, spent some time back in the classroom to teach English, and worked on the communications team at Dubai Expo 2020.

@mymumcallsmegus

Meet the Gang

LAURE SEJEAN, 40 French Beauty Editor

Unfiltereddxb, UnfilteredKSA and coming soon UnfilteredFrance and Founder of beauty podcast @ beautysilvousplaitpodcast

Laure made a bold career change in 2017 when she left a global HR Director position to make an impact in the beauty world and become a makeup artist. Very quickly after being certified as a Professional Makeup Artist, Laure got well versed in the glamour and beauty industry and started working with prestigious brands and their VIP clients, including powerhouses Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Piaget, Hermes as well as royals and celebrities.

@lauresejean

RINKU AWTANI, 41 Indian Illustration Editor

Unfiltereddxb, UnfilteredKSA and coming soon UnfilteredAsia @LookingGlassFilm Club

Rinku was formally educated with a degree in Engineering. However, art has always been a passion and repetitive structures held a particular intrigue. Multimedia theatrical images are created with a juxtaposition of the real and fantastical, layer by layer, making for surreal portraits. She illustrates magazines, books, and within the hospitality industry. With an ardency for animation and anime, she curates films for children in cultural spaces and runs a film club called the Looking Glass, bringing cinematically-influential and thought-provoking films to a younger audience.

@rinkuatwani

STEFFIE NEVE, 32 Danish Photography Editor

Unfiltereddxb and UnfilteredKSA

Founder of Neve Photography, Steffi has a passion for beauty and fashion. Starting her career in 2013, she landed multiple publications as well as features within her first year. Since 2016, Steffie has worked on major campaigns around the world.

@nevephotography

FILMS THAT BLUR THE LINES

FILM CURATOR AND ILLUSTRATOR RINKU AWTANI AND HER HUSBAND GUEST WRITER

KARAN AWTANI SHARE TWO FILMS THAT BEND THE CONCEPT OF SPACE AND TIME

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

2011

Dir. Woody Allen

A whimsical and charming tale that will surely touch the hearts of aspiring time-travellers and Europhiles!  The hook is simple enough – have you ever felt a sense of disaffection in your present time and wished you could experience a different era?  Well, haven’t we all? Allen takes us on a ride that shows us what might be, and the audience is left wanting more. The protagonist, while vacationing in the City of Lights, walks the many boulevards only to find himself somehow, quite literally, catch a ride back in time to Paris in its roaring interwar 1920s where he meets an endless and dazzling cast of cameos showing the many luminaires of that era.  As our protagonist spends more time in the past, he realises he needs to make radical changes in his present.  A heart-warming, relatable, humorous, and feel-good movie which will make your heart skip through the decades and centuries joyfully – it is a ride very much worth taking.

BETWEEN SPACE AND TIME

Don’t worry it’s not sci-fi

YOUR NAME 2018 Dir. Makoto Shinkai

I first approached this movie with a great deal of scepticism as the description of it was deliberately vague yet the awards and box office numbers this piece of cinematic art achieved were difficult to ignore. I can’t think of a better movie to introduce oneself to the great modern Japanese art form that is anime than “Your Name,” a movie with so much mystery, heart, and sheer sense of wonder, that I was punching my fist in the air towards the end.  It is a classic tale of a boy and a girl whose paths intertwine and what happens next is painstakingly told in a beautiful narrative supported with even more awe-inspiring visuals.  Drawing praise from the likes of JJ Abrams, Elon Musk, and many others “Your Name” is a fantabulous journey into Japanese culture, storytelling, and visual arts that has no risk of being lost in translation. It is a story about human connection in its truest essence in a ballad of everyday life. A perfect watch for teenagers and adults alike.

Fashion and beauty are for everyone and will be key components of Unfiltered, reminding us all that representation truly matters.”

UNFILTERED THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE HONEST

In a world where people present their lives edited in such a way as to create a misleading narrative, Unfiltered is pulling aside the veil to feature real people and their stories

By Ciara O’Shea

Human beings are inherently social creatures. We thrive when we have a sense of belonging. Finding one’s community was once merely geographically determined, it consisted of your immediate family and members of the local population. Today, with the expansion of social media and our overwhelming desire for connectivity, we have larger networks than ever before. We interact with strangers from every corner of the planet, but can they really be considered our community? In a world where filters, both literal and figurative have become commonplace, how do we find a true sense of belonging? This is the challenge Unfiltered has been created to overcome.

Unfiltered, a pioneering new platform by Omaira Farooq, was created to challenge the status quo, amplify the voices of the marginalised, and recognise people who have shown true resilience and strength in overcoming adversity. In essence, Unfiltered is not merely a new media platform; it is a movement and a call to action encouraging us all to bring back transparency if not for us then for the next generation.

As a platform, Unfiltered is dedicated to every person who feels unseen by the traditional media landscape. Articles will confront issues that impact mental health and focus on self-improvement while touching on important topics

that are relevant for the whole family. Nothing will be considered taboo – our talks and podcasts will be available for people looking for more authentic and vulnerable storytelling, while our events will bring the whole community together in the real world.

Traditional media is synonymous with unrealistic beauty standards, we have long been told what we should aspire to look like, an aesthetic that has never been as diverse or inclusive as it should have been. This lack of true representation has led to insecurity and stigmatisation for many, which can lead to self-esteem and mental health issues. Allyship will be at the heart of Unfiltered, where true diversity will be expressed. The pages of the platform will feature people of every size, shape, colour and ability, and – yes, unfiltered – in the latest fashions. Fashion and beauty are for everyone and will be key components of Unfiltered, reminding us all that representation truly matters.

Unfiltered aims to provide a more accurate depiction of society, not merely by featuring individuals who have long been overlooked, but by discussing topics that have been considered taboo for far too long and is a platform where real people talk about the real issues of everyday life which are often hidden or brushed under the carpet, as well as the type of issues we have been programmed to believe should be dealt with privately. Society has a very particular set of rules specifically for women which Unfiltered wants to break.

And break them we shall. Over the past decade the Middle Eastern market has seen unprecedented progress in the emancipation of women. According to Farooq, this is only just the beginning. “I feel a huge change is coming now even more so than before. Women in this region are breaking out of their so-called boxes and the stereotypical responsibilities that have been in place for years and they are ready for new adventures! Women are tackling roles that would have previously been considered impossible and this has shifted perceptions. We need to empower these women and remind the new generation just how capable they are.”

Social media is used to glimpse into the lives of others, yet we often forget that we are watching a highlight reel and it is skewing reality for many of us. “Reality is so much more interesting than an illusion!” said Farooq, adding, “If we continue as we are I worry that we will lose touch with reality, both in our relationships and, more worryingly, in ourselves. Unfiltered is here to celebrate real stories, showcase pioneers and shine a light on people who have shown true strength of character. Let’s honour honesty and transparency in order to create an authentic community.”

Unfiltered will unashamedly raise the voices of the voiceless to remind us all that we define our own standards of success, beauty, and self-worth. Welcome to your new community. You belong here and we hope you are ready to join the movement!

I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, and not let what other people say affect you. I think people in our region care too much about what other people think and end up not doing what they love in fear of what might be said. I am one of the lucky ones, I have great coworkers and a fun working environment.

I love creating beautiful piercings and seeing how happy my clients are when they look in the mirror.”

Queen of the

Sahraa

Noor Al Shabini, 27, Saudi, Piercer at Maria Tash

FASHION

Jewelry: Maria Tash - mariatash.com and model’s own Make up: Laure Sejean Photography: Steffie Neve

Living with vitiligo is very difficult. Recently I took on a mission to help those who are feeling shame and don’t have the strength to overcome this challenge. Social media is very empowering, in the sense it helped me reach a community of celebrities and influencers working to raise awareness of this condition and I discovered I was not alone. Now I love sharing my story and my experiences as I hope to inspire others to accept their appearance just like I did. I love the way I look and I’m proud, I want others to feel the same.”

Reham Soliman, 34, Egyptian, mother of three, skin activist and role model for people living with vitiligo

Nile

Princess of the

Jewelry: Araya Fine Jewelry - arayafinejewelry.com Make up: Laure Sejean

Photography: Steffie Neve

Seeing

Charlotte, cabin crew and lash artist, and Tori Arthur, beautician, 27, British

Feminism to me is a point of view of experience and knowledge us women have because of the life we lead within society. There are many things women understand and celebrate which a man would not understand.” – Tori

Clothing: ETRO etro.com via @framepublicity

Make up: Enrica Bhatia

Photography: Steffie Neve

Growing up with an identical twin sister, mother, and father in one household, we had an amazing family unit. However, with this there was often sibling rivalry but it was managed exceptionally well by our parents who treated each of us as equals.” - Charlotte

As a daughter of a tailor, the concept of fashion has always been a constant in my life. Having worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years I have managed luxury stores like Celine and MiuMiu. Currently I am a stylist and fashion advisor to modest dressing.”

Dar Luxury

Make up: Sarah Sequeira

Hanan Houachmi, 39 Morrocan French mother of two

Connect with Hanan: @hananonymous Clothing: Gucci Mens - gucci.com

Photography: Steffie Neve

All my life I have made beauty products for myself. I learnt to use natural ingredients to create masks and scrubs and would then gift these to my friends. I founded my company in 2016 and have watched it grow ever since.”

FASHION

I am inspired by women who break down barriers. I have had the most transformative few years of my life. I nearly died of a brain disease called Encephalitis, to ending a 12-year relationship, followed by closing my business that I had been running for five years. It’s been an incredibly difficult journey and I honestly hit rock bottom three years ago and had no choice but to build my life up from scratch.” –Morgan

Connect with Morgan and Alexandra: www.geniiandco.com Clothing: Alemais and Never Fully Dressed - bloomingdalesme.com Make up: Laure Sejean

Photography: Steffie Neve

D O U B L E

T r o u b l e

Alexandra and Morgan Venison, 31 UAE-born Brits and founders of Genii and Co.

It is so important to find women who inspire you to be authentic. I am incredibly lucky count some amazing women as family and friends. They are so strong on the outside but knowing them personally and the obstacles they have overcome, makes me admire them even more. I always stress on being kind. Even just smiling at someone can completely transform their day.” – Alexandra

Connect

Photography:

I worked alongside my father to produce a drama series as well as docu-portraits about various important Syrian personalities in the art scene.

Since my youth, art has always been my passion as I grew up in a house that had floor to ceiling paintings.

Living in a world where many are petrified of getting old and we find ourselves dreading the years instead of enjoying them and often sadly fighting against time instead of embracing it. As women we need to support, empower, and grow stronger together. “

Zina Khair 52, Syrian mother of two, and founder of brand Le Marais 101

My personal achievement is being a mama! As every mama will tell you, it’s not easy. Especially during this time with so much exposure to information, something I never grew up with and am finding it very difficult. The typical ‘follow your dream w’ message doesn’t work for everyone. You must know what you are good at and then capitalise on that. Be smart and ethical, people will always find out if you are not honest and they might not want to work with you ever again.”

Make up: Laure Sejean

Rima Karam Patel, 42, Lebanese American mother of two and founder of children’s clothing brand Persephone

Connect with Rima: blackspoon.me

Clothing: Reema Ameer - @Reemaameer

Photography: Isabella Reinholdt

Two foodies, Luma Makhlouf and Hadil Al Khatib Bustami, tell us what being in the kitchen means to them

“I always wanted to be a chef as a child. I was always interested in restaurants and food and found them very exciting. My mum has always been such a fantastic cook and caterer. I just remember being in the kitchen on the days when she had events or family over, and just picking at all the food and admiring her talent. She will always be my biggest inspiration.”

Luma Makhlouf, 33, Palestinian, mother of one and Founder of @maiztacos @lumascakesdxb

Clothing: Maje – maje.com Olivia Rubin – oliviarubinlondon.com

Makeup: Laure Sejean Photography: Steffi Neve

THE STOVE ON?

“Gut health defines the health status one is in. As a certified gut health coach, I strive through my page to raise awareness about healthy concepts to heal the gut so that people can heal themselves. Only through health can one reach their true potential.”

Hadil Al Khatib Bustami, 37, Palestinian, mother of two, Founder of @thebrothlab and @theroost_ae

Rock ‘n Roll

With social media and filters I think it’s easy for younger people to compare themselves and feel like they’re not living to their full potential. On my platforms, I’m very conscious of and intentional about being myself, being transparent about beauty and taking care of yourself, not using filters and sharing the reality of being an actress, model and content creater.”

Friends Tshegofatso Seakgoe, Liudmila Bilea, and Cathee Asulin talk about their hopes for the next generation

Clothing: Erina Kuznetsova @erinakuznetsova

Tshegofatso Seakgoe, 32, South African Connect with Tshegofatso: @tshegoseakgoe

Queens

I want to inspire the next generation by showing girls that it doesn’t matter your age or where are you from, you can pursue your dream and achieve your goals. Don’t ever doubt yourself! You’re doing everything right and even if there are few bumps on the road, it’s for you to learn important things and move forward to the top where you belong, to shine bright like a star.”

Mila Bilea, 30, Bulgarian Connect with Mila: @DJLiutik

I want people of all backgrounds and ages to know that it’s never too late to start chasing what makes you happy! No matter your upbringing or status, remind yourself every day to take up space in this wonderful world. Stay humble, be kind and be brave enough to bask in your greatness, always.”

C athee Asulin, 30, South African Connect with Cathee: @cathee_a

Kirsten Bak Nielsen 36, Danish, mum of four

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Being unfiltered means having the right to be myself without being censored or edited to fit into a box that does not suit me.”

Beauty is how you carry yourself not just your looks. Beauty starts with loving and taking care of yourself.

Ghaliah Amin 24, Saudi

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Makeup: Laure Sejean

Photography: Steffi Neve

FASHION

INQUIRING ABOUT

Inclusivity

Beauty is so much more than a specific age range or dress size

I would love to see more content of women over 50, how to spend their time and be happy even after their children leave for universities or jobs.” –

Dzovig Van Kleef 52, Armenian Dutch mother of three

Clothing: Genni from Matches – matches.com Makeup: Laure Sejean Photography: Steffi Neve

Doaa Tahboub 40, Palestinian Jordanian, mother of two and Founder of the Creative Collective Studio.

Clothing: Pretty little things – prettylittlethings.com

Makeup: Laure Sejean

Photography: Steffi Neve

The only person you should ever compare yourself to is yourself. You should focus on growing from within and being kinder to yourself and others.”

WHY THE FUTURE IS OURS

to Mould

There is a lot to be said for being a woman in 2022

For many of the women in my generation and those preceding it, we were taught to behave like ladies, not to be too loud, and not to inconvenience anyone at the expense of our own well-being. Thankfully, a lot of those constraints are being obliterated.

Continuing in the steps of the women who came before us, we’re better able to vocalise our wants and needs, and we’re doing it with less guilt. “No” is a complete sentence, and we are getting better at saying it. “No, I don’t want to accept that job for less pay than my male counterparts. No, you may not touch me without my permission. No, I haven’t finished speaking, please don’t interrupt me.”

It isn’t about having new-found freedom to be rude or aggressive, but we are leveraging the fact that our voices are being heard more than before. We’re having the conversations around issues that, for decades, have been cloaked in shame and framed in a way to make us feel ‘less than’ – issues surrounding fertility, miscarriage, divorce, relationships, parenting, education, careers, weight, body type, and aesthetic work, to touch on a few.

We give and provide the space to let our guards down and just not be okay, a common thread throughout Unfiltered . After generations of pressure to be perfect wives and perfect mothers and perfect homemakers and perfect employees, we’ve finally reached the point of saying, “Enough!”

We’re not letting publications, social media, or trolls hiding behind their keyboards shame us into looking or behaving or living a certain way. Yes, society might deem us attractive when we’re a certain size, a certain shape, and with a certain hair texture. But we’ve discovered that we actually look a lot better when we’re happy, and we no longer allow the number on the scale or the weight of others’ expectations to hold their previous power over us.

‘Aging gracefully’ is out. ‘Aging authentically’ is in. We’re no longer accepting criticism about wanting nips and tucks, and we’re openly discussing them to break down the stigma of wanting to look a certain way and to find the best practitioners to do them safely. We’re equally fine with letting nature take its course and not worrying about what means or looks like. The beautiful thing about beauty is that we’re flying in the face of the naysayers and making individual decisions about what it means for us.

BY JESSICA COMBES

We’re flipping the script on our careers. We’re being brave enough to walk away from jobs that feed us but don’t nurture us to pursue the things that make our hearts sing, whether that means selling every possession to travel around the world or going back to school to tackle an entirely new field, or just… slowing…down for a muchneeded time out.

We’re embracing the fact that we can rewrite our scripts at any time. We are redefining who we are, our goals, and our values as we grow and develop. We do not owe anyone the outdated version of ourselves and if that means rethinking and releasing relationships that have run their course, so be it.

We’re also having important conversations about our mental health, the things that overwhelm and challenge us and how we can manage them. We’re creating the space for the people around us to do the same and not feel ashamed about not coping.

We’re breaking out of stereotypes and building a community of inclusivity, and we’re doing it for ourselves so we can better help each other.

“WE DO NOT OWE ANYONE THE OUTDATED VERSION OF OURSELVES AND IF THAT MEANS RETHINKING AND RELEASING RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE RUN THEIR COURSE, SO BE IT.”

Lana Makhzoumi

28, Lebanese American Founder of the Podcast,‘Tell Me Everythingwith Lanz’

“Beauty is all aboutinner love.”

Aasiya Jagadeesh

34, Indian pPhotographer and Mother ofOne “A powerful woman is one that is not afraid to be who she is.”

Sila Khair25, CuratingSyrianand Creating“My purpose is to livea life that is inspiringto others and tospread joy.”

Young up and comers share their thoughts of life, beauty, and everything else

Nell Khair

Syrian, 22, Founder ofStichery “Definitions exudespossibilities for change.”

Laura Davison

33, British Mother of Two, Account Director at TishTash “With age, comes a level of contentment and ability to be at peace with circumstances, whilst also having the confidence to strive for more and pursue what we’re truly passionate about.”

Yasmine Sharawneh

26, Palestinian“My mother has taught me power and strength likeno other.”

Makeup: Shasia Sethi

Photography: Steffi Neve

POWERFUL MALIKAAT

Unfiltered is proud to know amazing women from all over the world

IS ITSELF THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT. SOMETIMES, THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IS TO MAINTAIN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.”

BRUSH STROKES

We talk to the Saudi artist, Ghaida Al Ghanim, about what influences her work and the people who inspire her

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS –WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA?

I’m a freelance artist. I was inspired to express myself in a way that I’m not able to with words and convey a message to the world.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

Living life is itself the greatest achievement. Sometimes, the biggest achievement is to maintain your mental health. I believe every aspect of life has different achievements and every individual is driven by their own beliefs.

Every single obstacle we overcome should be considered an achievement, every small thing we accomplish should be our achievement. Life is precious. Enjoy it wholeheartedly. Carpe Diem.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

Passion. I believe if there’s no passion there’s no success… and being patient. Patience is key. I’ve found it more helpful to paint a picture, that is, an actual vision of what I want to achieve – it motivates me even more.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Love your life. Believe in yourself. Tell people you love them. Do the things you love and don’t be afraid to fail. Do the

things that you’re scared to do, you can do more than you think. Don’t let others define your worth. Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Dare to be more ambitious!!

Also a piece of advice that I would give to my younger self is a quoteby Warren Buffett:

“You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you. True power is sitting back and observing things with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you that means everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass.”

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

Whenever I’m stressed, I take time for myself. It helps me to focus and recharge. We all need a break whenever stress hits us.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Social media has its negative effects.  But, I’m thankful for social media because we have found new ways to express our creativity and productivity. It made the world a bit smaller and it is easier to stay in touch.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS AND PR AGENCIES LACK

DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

They used to. But, now I’m glad to say it’s more diverse.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE?

I I can’t find the words to express how I feel about women. Our strength, power, the ability to keep our heads up no matter what – I admire those qualities on every possible level. Our world would mean nothing without women. Their courage that exists in perfect harmony with amazing tenderness saves our world every day.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHAT VALUES DO YOU FEEL REALLY CAME TO LIGHT DURING 2020 AND INTO 2021? HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED?

What is the most important thing to me is enjoy life while it lasts. I try my best to value and cherish it, and it is our happiness that matters. I always tell myself that life is a one-time offer, and my priority is to live it to its fullest. I try my best to not let fear interfere with my life. I always try my best not to think about my work as a burden, instead see it as something that’s enjoyable.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? Pessimism – when others try to kill your vibe with their toxic pessimistic belief systems.

“TRY TO OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF FAILURE BECAUSE LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES IS THE BEST WAY TO GET TO KNOW YOURSELF BETTER AND COME BACK STRONGER.”

INTERVIEW

Makeup: Laure Sejean Photography: Steffi Neve

CLAY CREATIONS

The Emirati potter, Shaima Ahli, discusses her art, the industry and advice for the next generation

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

My yearning for creativity and an outlet to express my emotions on a daily basis drove me to the art of ceramics. Once I started back in 2013, I just couldn’t stop! I was busy with my master’s in public health for a couple of years, but still practiced my skills during my summer and winter breaks until I moved back to Dubai in 2017. I decided to dedicate time every day to ceramics. I had to juggle my time between my full-time job at the Ministry of Health and my love and need for creating functional ceramic pieces. Once I found that balance, I turned it into a business!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

My greatest achievements have always been around finding my passion and fulfilling my spiritual needs. Finding a career that I’m in love with and finding an art that feeds my soul and brings beauty into this world in addition to a smile on the faces of those using the ceramic pieces.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

Study the market! Dubai’s market is fast paced, and businesses pop out of nowhere everyday so being ahead of the game is important. The second major thing I found to be important in any business is its reputation and the story behind the business. My small pottery business is profitable mostly due to my willingness to share my story and my passion on all social media outlets and in person, building connection with people, and getting personal.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

My numerical skills are weak so keeping tabs of how much I am investing into the business versus how much I am making out of it at the end of the day was a huge

challenge that I had to overcome. I asked for help and guidance from those more experience in business.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Just go for it, believe in yourself, seek guidance from people you trust and see as role models, and ask for support from those closest to you. Try to overcome your fear of failure because learning from your mistakes is the best way to get to know yourself better and come back stronger.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

I vent to my husband and my friends and reflect a lot. No matter how Zen I think I am, I also go through episodes of breaking down under pressure. I am human after all. I make sure to take relaxing breaks to spoil myself and allow my mind and body to heal and recover from stress. Spoil yourself! You deserve it as long as you do not procrastinate often.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Social media can be overwhelming if we allow it to take over our lives and minds. I try not to consume too much of it and mainly use it either to promote my ceramics, or to share useful information with my followers. I also share content of my favourite creature, my dog Kuma.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

I honestly feel neither included nor represented. Brands can often seem too pretentious and have an agenda other than truly representing REAL women and real communities. I am glad that artists, who are the individuals who add life and colour to our societies, are being more supported, promoted, and

represented. This is why I was very excited about Unfiltered; it represents a variety of women with different passions and backgrounds with no filter.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE? Be yourself. Do not try to mould yourself to a society’s expectation which is ever changing. Surround yourself with people who love you and support you as you are and encourage you to keep evolving as a human. Read books that make you feel stronger and happier. Love yourself more than you can ever love any other human, because only then you will be able to love your community unconditionally.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT WOULD YOU?

I would only do one thing differently. Instead of waiting to be asked, I would propose to my current husband earlier myself, just so we could start building memories sooner and to have been stuck together during COVID so he could build a stronger bon with my dog, Kuma.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Family and close friends. My career has always been my priority in life but since COVID I have slowly shifted my priorities and taught myself that is it okay to make my career my second priority after my family and friends; that won’t make me less of a woman and will not compromise my independence.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? New people in the ceramics field or any other skilled field, giving workshops when they themselves do not yet have enough experience and research under their belt! Compromising the work of actual experts in the field is my biggest pet peeve. I am extremely supportive of individuals new to art fields, but do not appreciate misinformation.

Makeup: Laure Sejean Photography: Isabella Reinholdt

BREAKING BARRIERS

Randa Bessiso, Founding Director of the Middle East Centre at Manchester University, discusses the importance of hard work, self-love, and balancing everything in between

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

It all began in Dubai in 2006 when I started to work with The University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School on the concept of the Middle East Centre and the provision of the Global Part-time MBA for working professionals delivered through flexible learning. Today, the Middle East Centre is the largest in the international network and has supported around 3,000 parttime Master’s students in the region, making it one of the largest professional communities of its kind in the region.

My inspiration was the desire to make a difference and an impact and to help people improve their lives through education. It’s more than just business success and helping others improve themselves and lives is equally important and rewarding.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

There have been several personalprofessional recognitions along my career including several listings in the 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen/Middle East 100 Most Influential Women by Forbes Middle East. Arabian Business named me among the 30 most influential women in the Arab World in 2019, and I was included in their annual Arab Power List 2021. But these pale in comparison to the personal recognition from family.

I am a single mom with a kind and passionate young daughter (Maya), seeing her grow and validating my own family

values and the continuity this represents is a pleasure.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

You must silence the self-doubt, believe in yourself, and make this a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Be fearless – everything is experience and we are the combined accumulation of our personal experience so even failure (however we choose to define it) can be very positive. It’s really important to work with people you like and exclude those who don’t have a positive influence.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

My approach is meditating and breathing exercises and I recommend learning the techniques for balance and well-being. This is easier said than done but do what de-stresses you. For me, it can be laughing with Maya, reading a good book or having conversations where you can be genuine and be yourself.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

Today, thanks to the media, women are much more visible and actively achieving and being recognised for this. We are lucky to be here in the UAE with its great leaders and positive role models and this is reflected in the media, which is also very inclusive.

There are versions of our professional selves in the media and online but not like Unfiltered, for example, which is free and open. We are programmed subliminally to conform to stereotypes with unconscious bias and there are very few places where women can relate to each other personally, so Unfiltered is very good and timely.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE?

Be true to yourself and learn to say ‘no’ – this is the ultimate expression of self-love. Listen to your body and soul and don’t suppress emotions – it’s ok to not be ok and being vulnerable is also ok. Listen to your inner voice because it leads to a meaningful and fulfilled life and be kind to yourself – it’s a very important relationship!

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT WOULD YOU?

‘If onlys’ or regrets are better left in the past and we need the courage to be fearless and true to ourselves to face the future, with gratitude. There may be many detours in our lives and careers, but nothing happens by chance. Whatever the route I have taken, I would change nothing that I have today and so I am grateful for all the obstacles and detours along the way, and of course I have Mayamy joy and friend.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE?

This is simple and a regular annoyance - cold callers and especially those who cannot pronounce my name. I also do not like being labelled or labelling others.

“I VALUE MAKING A DIFFERENCE NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THAT IMPACT IS.”

Clothing and accessories: Bally - bally.com

Photography: Aasiya Jagadeesh

PIONEERING

EMPOWERMENT

We ask Disability Empowerment Consultant, Fatma Al Jassim, about empowering People of Determination and increasing inclusion

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

My initiative was inspired by my day-today life. I realised that there is a gap when it comes to the inclusion and disability sector. I want to bridge those gaps and empower People of Determination around the world through my voluntary work and by offering my skills through accessibility, assistive technologies, and inclusive programme development among other services and consultations.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

I have dedicated my life to paving the way for future generations of People of Determination. My biggest achievement is being able to guide and advise governments, companies, and individuals in this sector. I have been fortunate enough to become the youngest advisory council member for empowering people of Determination and the first youth delegate in the UNCRPD and the first Emirati accessibility professional.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

The fact that I started from a very young age and the fact that the sector is still developing in the region are two of the main challenges I faced. In order to be heard, I need to prove my expertise by gaining international qualifications that will demonstrate that. I have what it takes and let my work speak for itself.

=WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Be brave. Stand up for what you believe in no matter the cost. Say yes to being adventurous.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

All my work is voluntary for now. As a graduate student and a consultant. I try my best to manage my time wisely between all of this. Time management is key.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Generally, I believe that social media platforms are double-edged swords. It depends on how you use them.  As an activist, they have offered me the chance to educate and share my views with the entire world and connect with people who share my cause and for that, I’m forever grateful. However, I intentionally lowered my presence on those platforms in the past year or so because they can be overwhelming and distracting.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

We still have a long way to go in this regard. We need authentic representation rather than simply checking boxes. Having said that, we are getting there I think

with the help of platforms like yours and a government that believes in the power of diversity and giving its people a voice. I just think that we need more voices to be heard in the media.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE? The importance of being there for each other and standing by each day in and day out.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY, WOULD YOU?

I do not think I would change anything about my life. Yes, it has been quite a journey, but I wouldn’t because changing the slightest detail would mean that I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED?

I value making a difference no matter how big or small that impact is. What matters is that you are doing your part.  I value being there for family and friends whenever they need me.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? Arrogance and being ego-centric

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?  Perhaps what makes me unique is the spirit of initiative. I am always here to support and assist. My doors are always wide open.

MARMARI MAGIC

a businessman and a jeweller. I never got to meet him, but I inherited some of his pieces. Growing up, I was told stories about him and when I wore the pieces that I have, I felt like I knew him in a way.

But it was my mother and my maternal grandmother who taught me everything I know about jewellery. I loved watching my grandmother organise her jewellery box. She did it few times a year as she liked to ‘rotate her memories.’ “I don’t want to forget anyone,” she would say. She taught me to appreciate jewellery not for its materialistic value but for the stories each piece tells.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Finding the right team. I was determined to find a production team and workshops that align with Marmari’s ethics, sustainable efforts, and high-quality standards. It took me eight months.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Stay true to yourself, be persistent, and don’t compare yourself to others. You are writing your own story.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

I do things that ground me such as spending time with my daughter. Children are truly magic. I do Pilates regularly. I spend time with my husband, family, and friends. Due to my health struggles, I learned to take life one day at a time and to trust the process.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

I quit my job around 2016 when my health started deteriorating to the point where I thought I was going to die. I wanted to create a legacy for my daughter – Tuleen was only two years old. It pained me that she might not get to know her mother. I didn’t realise it at the time, but Marmari was my love letter to my daughter.

Jewellery has always been a big part of my life and my family’s history. When I wanted to change my career, jewellery design was the natural choice. My grandfather was

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

Marmari! Jewelry is my language of choice. I use it to express myself and to tell stories, ambitions, dreams and to set intentions.

On a personal level, my greatest achievement is that I was able to overcome my health issues and that I didn’t let them define me and what I could accomplish. I am still not in remission yet, but I am sure I will get there.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

My background is in design, not business. So, the business aspect of creating my brand was not easy. What I learned is that no matter what your business model is, you need these four qualities to succeed: passion, determination, consistency, and being adaptable.

To be honest, social media doesn’t come easy to me. It took me time to be able to share and just be myself on social media. That being said, social media offers an easy sustainable way to reach your clients and like-minded individuals. I have made wonderful friendships through social media.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

I consider myself lucky to be living in the UAE, the beacon of diversity. Unfiltered is a great example of this.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? Littering. It’s like people who do that expect others to clean after them, not to mention the impact on the environment.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE? What I love about myself is that I am resilient, loyal, and I always try to find magic everywhere I go.

Marmari! Jewelry founder Nouran Elmarmari talks about how motherhood influenced a shift in career and set her life in a new direction

“WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF IS THAT I AM RESILIENT, LOYAL, AND I ALWAYS TRY TO FIND MAGIC EVERYWHERE I GO.”

Makeup: Laure Sejean Photography: Steffi Neve

PRETTY WITH A PURPOSE

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

It’s a fine jewellery brand with a sustainable mission at its heart. With every piece, the brand gives back to help support displaced communities in need. I started it in early 2016 with the aim of spreading a message of hope and peace across different cultures and countries one piece at a time.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

Creating uSfuur has allowed me to combine my passion for art and design and my desire to build a sustainably profitable business.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

I think knowing your ‘why’ – the drivers and motivations behind your business idea – is important because this is what will make your business stand out and help you push through when things get tough. Another key point is consistency and having the discipline to show up and do the work, and lastly having the right strategy, skills, and tools in place to drive the business forward.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Finding the right structure to fund my collections and production. Through a process of trial and error, I was able to partner with the right suppliers and thirdparty retailers.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

To be true to yourself and do it for the right reasons, not just because it’s a trend or because someone else is doing it. Listen to your customers and learn more about what they really want and adjust accordingly.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

I try to look at the bigger picture and focus on my top priorities for the week or month. This helps me keep things in perspective.

Photography: Isabella Reinholdt

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Most of our business is driven by social media. It has kept us in touch with our customers and enabled us to connect with wider audiences.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

We’ve had some great support from some of the best publications in the region, but I think there should definitely be more diversity and support especially when it comes to including small brands who often rely on media and PR agencies to shed light on their work and story.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE? As women, we’re always told what to do and

how to be. I think it’s important to lean into what brings us joy and do what truly makes us happy, and not fall for societal pressures or limiting beliefs. There is no limit to what we can do and achieve especially when we come together and support each other.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY, WOULD YOU?

I would have asked for help and guidance more, especially from people and mentors who have gone through similar experiences and are experts in their own fields.

“I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO LEAN INTO WHAT BRINGS US JOY AND DO WHAT TRULY MAKES US HAPPY, AND NOT FALL FOR SOCIETAL PRESSURES OR LIMITING BELIEFS.”

Yara Tlass, Creative Director of uSfuur Fine Jewelry, talks about being creative, doing what you love, and giving back

EMBRACING CULTURE

Sudanese architect and artist, Yasmin Elnour, whose captivating work showcases the unique history and heritage of Nubia, talks about her inspiration and the legacy she wants to leave behind

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

I started as a self-taught artist in 2018, after discovering the power of collage while studying architecture. I used collage as a visual tool to portray the concepts and metaphorical meanings behind my designs and quickly realised that it was an effective way of expressing myself and my abstract ideas. I want to expand into painting, drawing, and using my own photography in my work, perhaps even reflecting this artistic language I develop in my future building designs.

I have always been interested in cultural heritage, history, and identity, so I set out to explore what that meant to me, particularly as a Sudanese woman. I would like to remind people that throughout history, women have held key positions in Sudanese society, which is evident through the Kandake’s – Kandaka in Arabic – the royal queens and queen mothers of the ancient African Kingdom of Kush.

I intend to help create a visual landscape and space that embraces and explores culture and identity, mainly through the lens of a Sudanese woman. My main hope is to bring people together and celebrate our differences and diversity and view them as positive things.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

I started this journey with no particular destination in mind. I just went with the flow, but I knew I had a message and a vision I wanted to share. Through this approach, I have collaborated with some wonderful clients and brands I admire, while exhibiting my work internationally.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

My work is greatly influenced by identity and what this means in the 21st century.

I want to challenge this modern identity, and remind the globalised youth of today, including myself, about our heritage. I want my generation and the following generations from all over the world to embrace their culture and identity – they form a huge part of who we are, and we should be proud to share this with the world.

HAS SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED OR BEEN A HINDRANCE? HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Over the years social media has been an extremely useful tool for me to keep up with what is happening in the creative world and connect with like-minded people. However, for creatives there is always this immense unseen pressure to constantly push content out even when it feels incomplete or unnatural. This also becomes unhealthy because we start equating our value to the number of likes or the frequency of our posts. Inspiration may come in waves; I think that people should always prioritise their message and not rush the process.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

I feel that there definitely isn’t enough representation of black women, especially darker-skinned black women. It is important for everyone to feel equally represented in an authentic and consistent way, not just for

shock value or one-off campaigns. In the case of Sudan, we straddle both Africa and the Middle East, so it’s crucial to feel seen and heard, as we often get lost in an undefined space in between. We are sometimes considered too ‘Arab’ to be ‘African’ or too ‘African’ to be ‘Arab’. I would love to see a more diverse, realistic reflection of the people in our region.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE?

I am all about female empowerment and highlighting the significant role that we, as women play in society. Historically, there have been many powerful women who have contributed to society at all levels. These crucial efforts have been discarded in our male-dominated societies. My message to women is that we have to believe in our power to create change and break boundaries. Nothing is beyond our reach.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT, WOULD YOU?

I would encourage my younger self to go for it and make it happen. By showing people rather than telling them you can really explore new avenues and exciting ideas, that’s how you become an innovator.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I found myself looking inwards and by doing a lot of reflecting during that period I feel that I have a different perspective and outlook on life. From appreciating every present moment with my loved ones to what I would like my legacy to look like.

“I WANT MY GENERATION AND THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO EMBRACE THEIR CULTURE AND IDENTITY – THEY FORM A HUGE PART OF WHO WE ARE, AND WE SHOULD BE PROUD TO SHARE THIS WITH THE WORLD.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

I come from an artistic family; my father is a well-known Palestinian artist. Since childhood, my favourite hobby has been drawing. I started painting in my father’s studio and I learned many techniques and methods of drawing from him. In 2013, I started painting on canvas because I had more free time as my children started school. My husband and my parents encouraged me, and I continued until today.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

You need to balance meeting your financial needs while providing a good enough service to create customer loyalty.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

My biggest challenge was reaching my audience. It wasn’t easy at first, but with time and hard work, I succeeded in reaching many people from all over the world via social media.

PAINTING WITH PASSION

time to browse Instagram, Facebook, and other applications.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE?

I would like to thank the beautiful, wonderful, charming women out there! Thank you for making life possible, thank you for being so different and strong. The world would never be the same without you. Thank you to Palestinian women especially who symbolise resilience.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Sprint towards the things you are passionate about, regardless of people’s opinions. HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

I manage my daily stress by exercising, taking deep breaths, and eating well in order to focus on my work.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Social media had a positive impact on my artwork in 2020/2021 because there was a great interaction between me and my followers, particularly when people were shut in their homes during quarantine. They had more

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT WOULD YOU?

I would not change my career as art is the opportunity to use my creativity daily. I get to see the world in a different way and follow my passion. Any other career would not fulfill my creativity.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Health is the most important to me because with good health, you can spend more time with your friends and family, enjoy the love in your life, and follow your passion.

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? My pet peeve is probably being late to an appointment, but I don’t have many pet peeves.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE? My creativity. I created my own style of art style that reflects my perspective, my taste, and my Goals.

We talk to Palestinian painter Rawan

Anani about how she got started and where her work will take her

“SPRINT TOWARDS THE THINGS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, REGARDLESS OF PEOPLE’S OPINIONS.”

JUST KEEP MOVING

Linda Chambers Cochrane

Co-founder of UNDERDOGBOXN and

Hybrid Soul gets candid about the value of failure and knowing your worth

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

I have always struggled with seeing my own achievements and constantly feel I haven’t done enough. I have had some milestones and memorable moments and can’t single out the professional ones as they are all great at the relevant time. As I grow, the achievements grow too.

On a personal level, I would say being able to feel comfortable as myself after a lifetime of struggle.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

You really have to believe in what you are offering and the story behind your business. People are seeking connection and authenticity and are a lot pickier when choosing brands and services.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

I have had multiple businesses over the years – mostly fitness studios, and they were the most difficult only because of my partners. It’s impossible to create a brand and do it well when your business partners are not on the same page or don’t even have the industry knowledge. The easiest but most painful way is to

cut those ties. Close down and start again. I have lost all my savings doing this multiple times, but I know each time there was a lesson to be learned. Another challenge is always being asked to “discount” my service rate in the consulting world! This used to make me anxious and want to negotiate to keep clients, but no more! I know my worth and if a client that has come to me for my service can’t see that, then they are not the client for me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Don’t be afraid to go for any ideas you have and don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is the only way to learn and build. Be yourself and never sell out!

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS? Well, my business is all about helping others manage their own stress! I like to move my body; exercise is something I can’t live without. Of course, I practice what I preach and attend and practice meditation and breathwork. But sometimes a good burger or a bar of chocolate works wonders too.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

I have a love-hate relationship with social media. It enables me to connect with others and advertise my services. I love that I’m able to stay in touch with people and learn a lot on these platforms too. I hate the fact that social media has put too much pressure on us. The comparisons, the insecurities, the editing and photoshopping – the FOMO and all the rest. I’m just happy that I’m at a stage where I catch myself when I feel this way and remind myself it’s not real.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS AND PR AGENCIES LACK NEW DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION?

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

They do lack diversity and have become boring. They all jump on the same trends at the same time. I don’t feel included or represented at all, I’m sad to say.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE?

It’s hard being a human, never mind being a woman. Just believe that what you genuinely hold in your heart is what matters the most and when you believe that nothing can bring you down.

“JUST BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU GENUINELY HOLD IN YOUR HEART IS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST AND WHEN YOU BELIEVE THAT NOTHING CAN BRING YOU DOWN.”

ART WITH IMPACT

Artist Sarah Nimer talks about finding joy, balancing priorities, and creative avenues of self-expression

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START?

While I was stuck looking for inspiration in familiar places like Oman’s diverse nature where I was born and raised, I realised that I had blocked many sources that a big city like Dubai can give you. The shift in my mindset allowed me to get inspired more by music, cinema, pop culture and the loud city life.  I needed to express myself through pieces that people do not only enjoy looking at but also interact with.

In a city where every luxury is available, I needed something that gives joy through creativity and function and adds style to a room.  My eclectic home decor collection started in September 2019. In a time where trends rise and fall in no time, I wanted to create pieces that were timeless visually and in their functionally.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THE YOUNGER GENERATION?

Be brave, explore and take it one step at a time. Keep learning and make it work.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF YOUR BUSINESS?

Honestly, I can’t say I have that covered every day. But the days I have my stress levels under control are when I start my day super early, with a to-do list and check off all the boxes. I also treat myself to the sauna every now and then and I find that to be very helpful with stress relief.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED?

As much as I enjoyed hosting parties and entertaining in general, I realised how time-consuming that was, and that I needed to choose my business over many social activities. My number one priority will always be my daughter and my family, but right after that is my business now.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR CAREER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY? Sometimes I wish I believed in myself sooner!

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE? Invest in yourself and learn when to rest. Resting is not giving up.

“IN A TIME WHERE TRENDS RISE AND FALL IN NO TIME, I WANTED TO CREATE PIECES THAT WERE TIMELESS VISUALLY AND IN THEIR FUNCTIONALLY.”

Why can’t women just be comforted?”

Myth Busting

Miscarriages

They say there is nothing more soul crushing than a married woman who feels lonely. That is exactly how Omaira Farooq felt in the winter of 2008.

Farooq had just gotten married, and was excited to start the next chapter of her life. She always had irregular periods and never thought much about it, and a few months into her marriage she and her husband found out she was pregnant. However, joy quickly turned into sadness.

“One day I was at home, watching tv and lying down on the couch. I felt a gush of what I thought was water, I leaped up thinking I had spilled my water bottle. What I discovered was far worse. My lilac sweatpants had huge red streaks running down them. At first, I didn’t really understand what I was looking at, but it wasn’t stopping and had almost reached my toes,” said Farooq.

Running to the bathroom, she called out to her husband, who wasn’t home. She wrapped a towel around herself as blood was still gushing out, and ran to get her phone. She called him a few times but there was no answer. Next, she called her mother who was at the grocery store and told her to come home. She was alone, frightened, and starting to feel weak. She went into the shower to wash the blood away, but water, even as neutral as it is, stung. She felt sick, weak and tired.

“I lay on the floor for what felt like hours. As soon as my mom arrived, she sprang into action. She helped me get up and said that we needed to go to the hospital and that my grandmother and my aunt would meet us there. We were always

a strong family of women, and though my father was out of town, he was on the phone trying to figure out what was going on,” she said.

Once they reached the emergency room, she felt such shame and guilt. Society often labels women who experience miscarriages as weak, and only the strong can carry full term. Her thoughts spiralled – “What have I done? What did I do wrong?” Her thoughts immediately focused on what she could have done to prevent this and if she was even worthy of becoming a mother.

Society forces such awful stereotypes on women and the effect is detrimental to our mental and physical wellbeing. Shaming women has caused many not to speak about what they have gone through and in return many of them feel isolated.

“My grandmother (God rest her soul) was such a warrior. She took one look at me and told the nurses to take care of me. She reassured me that it wasn’t my fault and that when all this is over, we will sit down and heal,” said Farooq.

The doctors and nurses quickly performed a D&C, a procedure where abnormal cells are cleaned out. “It felt so strange to hear that. What was once going to be a baby was now considered an abnormal cell. Most often women are told that this is normal and that they shouldn’t make a big deal out of it. Other times they are told by members of their community that they don’t have what it takes to carry a baby full term. Why can’t women just be comforted? Let the woman grieve. Let her pick up the pieces. Give her a support system where she can talk about her feelings and not feel judged,” she said.

Most of the time after a miscarriage, women are allowed to return home after a few hours. When Farooq came home, she remembers all she could smell was blood. She couldn’t enter the bathroom without feeling nauseous. She lit candles and sprayed perfume, but the smell lingered. She said, “It stays with you for a while. Some women can’t enter the place where the initial start of the miscarriage happens, and often they can’t understand why they feel like that. Empathy towards miscarriages is not high.”

The bright side though? Since 2019 many women are speaking about different issues and bringing to light things that were buried years before. She went on to have three beautiful, lovely daughters and has remarried to a wonderful man who is always there for her.

There is no shame in miscarriages. Nobody is weak for going through it. Most importantly, you are not alone. It is so important to have a community where you can talk about the things you went through. To be able to be honest and open about your darkest moments and know that you will not be judged in a space where you are supported, loved, and taken care of.

“I created the Unfiltered magazine for this sole purpose – to have a community where real stories are shared. Unfiltered is where the good, the bad and the ugly carry the same weight. It’s not just enough to escape reality, that’s what is told to us so that we don’t have a support system. I encourage you all to join this community and let your voices be heard. Let’s all heal together,” said Farooq.

The journey after surviving a miscarriage is long and full of guilt. However, Omaira Farooq feels that the more women speak about it, the less stigma is attached to it and recovery is more attainable when people feel less alone

Bringing back some awareness and being mindful of the core functions of the physical body helps us appreciate all the hard work that little engine of ours does.”

It's All in

Social media's boom in popularity brought with it the rise of disordered eating habits and poor body image, according to Social Media, Thin-Ideal, Body Dissatisfaction and Disordered Eating Attitudes, a 2019 report by Dr. Pilar Aparicio-Martinez. Consuming image after image of unrealistically “beautiful” humans all day, every day has certainly impacted many people's views of their natural selves, paving the way for many problems, leaving millions struggling with their mental health and body image. The way one views themself can affect their social life, perception of the world, and the standards they set for their own lives.

Body image, by definition, is the way a person regards their physical self. It affects how attractive one feels, their trust for their body's abilities, and how they view their weight, body shape, hair, skin, or specific features. Many different sources can impact your body image, including the words you have heard about yourself, the portrayal of bodies in the media, how you feel about yourself as a person, and so much more.

What we hear, say, and do with our bodies can impact our body image starting from a young age. A poor body image can harm a person's mental health, leading to conditions such as eating disorders, depression, or anxiety. The 2018 study, Relationship between Body Image and Psychological Well-being in Patients with Morbid Obesity, found that a person's body image significantly impacted their psychological wellbeing. As you can guess, those who had a more positive body image were more psychologically healthy than those who did not.

While poor body image can have a negative impact one's mental health, the opposite can also be true. Another study, released in 2020, The Profiles of Body Image Associate with Changes in Depression Among

Participants in Dance Movement Therapy Group, by Dr. Päivi Pylvänäinen found depression could leave people feeling worthless, guilty, and struggling with low self-esteem.

“The struggles a person with a mental health disorder faces can be accentuated when they look in the mirror. Looking in their reflection may have every perceived flaw, mistake, or downfall they see fighting for their attention at every glance. This is because, despite their actual capabilities or what they truly look like, their brains can convince them they are not pretty enough, strong enough, or good enough,” said Noelle Elsaadany.

Improving your body image is crucial to enhancing your psychological well being. Getting serious about reframing your mindset and your outlook isn't always easy, so here are three of the best practices to get you started:

1. EXERCISE

Exercise has many incredible benefits to offer, primarily if you have found yourself struggling with a poor body image. Getting some movement in can help raise your awareness of your body's actual capabilities and improve your fitness. As far back as 1991 Body Image and Exercise: A study of Relationships and Comparisons Between Physically Active Men and Women, a study by Caroline Davis and Michael Cowles found that both young men and women had a greater body image the more they worked out. Remembering and focusing on the basic things our body does to keep us alive every second of our lives is a very humbling experience.

“Bringing back some awareness and being mindful of the core functions of the physical body helps us appreciate all the hard work that little engine of ours does. Every breath. Every movement is a magical experience on its own,” said Elsaadany.

Another more physiological reason to focus on fitness is that a specific hormone called endorphins gets released during exercise. This happy hormone paired with the awareness of your body's capabilities and improved health may be just what you need to adjust how you perceive your body.

2. AFFIRMATIONS

If you've ever ended up on the selfimprovement side of social media, chances are, you've heard about affirmations. This exercise is a powerful tool for improving body image, by allowing you to feel valued and worthy. This is a view your brain is highly motivated to maintain, according to Christopher N. Cascio’s 2015 report, Self-affirmation. Affirmations activate brain systems associated with self-related processing and reward is reinforced by future orientation.

Getting started with affirmations doesn't have to be complicated. Simply look in the mirror and prepare a list of positive things to say about your body.

Elsaadany added, “Another variation of this exercise would be for you to focus on one to three parts of your body that you actually like and bring some awareness to those parts. Look at your fingers and how gracefully they can move. What about your eyes? Do you like their shape? Keep going until you find a couple of features that you find beautiful and focus on those for a few minutes”

3. SELF-CARE

How you care for your body is a huge determining factor in how you view it. Take the time to practice proper hygiene and dress and pamper yourself in a way that makes you feel good! Don’t wait to drop those imaginary pounds to buy the dress, don’t wait for an occasion to get your hair done and please don’t allow that pimple to stop you from wearing that gorgeous smile.

Noelle Elsaadany touches on the most important relationship that we have is with ourselves because our perpetual self-talk has the power to affect our mental health and we have to choose if that impact will be good or bad

The aftermath of

There is a brief moment when a person in an abusive relationship makes the decision to get out and live, or roll over and die. For Jessica Combes, her moment came on a Saturday morning in March 2013 after a five-year build up. She had been living with her partner in Australia for just over 12 months after moving Down Under to give the relationship the old college try after four tumultuous years of doing it long distance.

“In the year prior, he had put me through every category of abuse one person in a relationship can do to another, his behaviour often fuelled by alcohol. I knew if I didn’t get out immediately, I wasn’t going to see another Christmas,” she said.

On that day, he started drinking earlier than usual and his temper was even more erratic. They argued. He threatened her safety. She went to another room in the house, he went to his PlayStation. A bit later she heard the car pull out and he was gone.

“I was just done. Within three hours, I had a plane ticket booked. Within 36 hours I had packed the few items I needed. Within 72 hours my flight took off around the same time he would have

Getting out of an abusive situation is one thing, but as Jessica Combes discovered, the road to recovery is long, winding, and fraught with obstacles

pulled into the driveway after work. I was out,” said Combes.

A question that many domestic violence survivors are asked is, “Well, why didn’t you just leave?” There are so many nuanced reasons why somebody cannot just pack up and leave.

Abusers don’t show their true colours immediately; the abuse is insidious. They are very often charming and persuasive and, in the beginning, can convince the other person that a relationship with them would be a safe space. Slowly, they start to isolate their partners from friends and family until they no longer feel like they have a network of people they can ask for help. They also play the part of the perfect partner in public, so even if their victim did want to reach out for help, they would battle to find a confidante who believes them.

According to The Hotline, a service provider to help survivors of domestic violence, other reasons include being ashamed to admit that they’ve been or are being abused and feeling that they’ve done something to deserve the abuse; fearing the consequences if they decide to leave their relationship; a lack of resources because they’re financially dependent on their partner or have been denied the opportunity to work; and fearing a negative impact on immigration status. These stressors are magnified if children are involved. Combes counts herself lucky – she could selfishly look out for herself and nobody else. She made a completely clean break.

She added, “Nine years later, the residue of my experience with him amounts to slamming doors making me nervous, not feeling comfortable if somebody stands over me when I’m seated and feeling extremely cold when I’m under extreme emotional duress.”

The years since leaving him have been equally tough. Women’s Aid, a national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children, emphasises the need for self-care as an important first step.

“Survivors often feel stupid for being in that situation in the first place and for struggling to get out, and then they feel guilty for wanting to treat themselves gently. Plus, nobody told me I’d have sudden bursts of soul-shuddering ugly crying – in the bath, in bed, and one time in my car in a crowded parking lot,” said Combes, adding, “It can take some time, but I found the best way was to start simply, such as making time and space for myself each day, doing something enjoyable, journaling and getting enough sleep.”

Once she felt somewhat pieced back together, the hard work started. She started to read voraciously to understand the dynamics of domestic abuse and then examine her experience through that lens. She read articles and trawled through YouTube. She revisited her relationship to better understand her blind spots and how she let herself get hooked for so long. She dug deep to find the limiting beliefs and mental blocks and worked towards resolving them with professionals and a few close friends.

“I reassessed my values and my boundaries and got clear on what my nonnegotiables are. Asserting my boundaries seems to be an ongoing lesson, but each time I say, ‘No, thank you’ or ‘I don’t want to,’ I get better at it,” she said.

She said that from there she revisited her strengths, skills, and abilities to start creating a vision for her future. “I had to stop seeing myself through his eyes. I got feedback from the people I trust the most – I asked them why they liked me or what they thought my best quality was and wrote them down for the days I need the reminder. I decided on the person I want to be, the career I want to have, the relationships I value, and what my next relationship looks like, and I pursued every opportunity that would bring me closer to that vision.”

She left him when she was 30 and this year, she turned 40. When considering how she felt entering this decade versus the previous one, she is hopeful and excited.

Survivors often feel stupid for being in that situation in the first place and for struggling to get out, and then they feel guilty for wanting to treat themselves gently.”

Anna Al QasimiRoberts

has found key steps to managing her feeling of guilt or fear for her future demise at the expense of a spa day or shoe purchase:

Step 1: Name the shame. Once you name the feelings, you can do something about them. Guilt? Write it down. Fear? Add that to the list. Afraid of looking stupid? Let’s call it out.

Step 2: Think about what you would do if these feelings were gone and you could live free, fully, and commit to practices of selfcare daily. Write down what that looks like.

Step 3: Commit to three of these big wishes. Pick any three from the previous list and put a date to do each of them.

Step 4: Write down the actions needed to make these big wishes possible. Is it to tell a friend? Is it to schedule cover for personal or professional commitments for a meditation session?

Step 5: Ask the two big questions: What is it costing you to continue living like you are now with no changes? Who do you need to become to live out your dreams?

Getting to grips with

Guilt around practicing self-care is a growing phenomenon and can manifest in several ways such as apologising for making time for yourself, putting it off be there are more productive things you “should” be doing, or simply having a nagging voice in the back of your head telling you that practicing self-care is selfish.

Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts touched on another important manifestation of this guilt that goes hand-in-hand with spending time on taking care of ourselves

– spending money on our care. Whether it involves signing up for a series of yoga classes or splashing out on a gorgeous pair of shoes, we each go through the tug-ofwar between, “I deserve this” and “I’m going to regret this.”

Instilled with a savings-conscious approach to money from a very early age while growing up in Dubai in the early ‘90s, Al Qasimi-Roberts was taught that if she wanted something, she should save for it, and not before asking if the item in question was a “want” or a “need.”

are holding you back from being your best self. I want every woman to have the power to take care of themselves and remind other women that doing that is the ultimate form of self-care we can give ourselves and those around us,” she added.

These conflicting feelings of shame and guilt that had been brewing under the surface, in her 20s really hit home once she became a mother, and she had the added responsibility of the children in her care.

The feelings of guilt, shame, and worry are all valid and real, but when they hold such power and start to influence your thinking and your action, that’s when you know they’ve hijacked your life and are holding you back from being your best self.”

“This constant living in the future, in a state of fear or possible regret isn’t something I’d experienced alone. When I put out the call on Instagram, women from all walks of life echoed the same thoughts. It was both reassuring and saddening to think that we stop before we even had a chance to care for ourselves. The conflict women feel is like a balancing act between wanting to love themselves, to buy the clothes they want, or to exercise without fear of taking time away from other commitments, to worrying about wasting time or money,” said Al Qasimi-Roberts.

While we have a choice whether or not to do something, what many women experience living as an expat in the UAE, particularly if they are single, is the need to accept invitations to compensate for not having an established peer group or family close by.

“The feelings of guilt, shame, and worry are all valid and real, but when they hold such power and start to influence your thinking and your action, that’s when you know they’ve hijacked your life and

She said, “I really used motherhood to draw myself inwards, to manage my energy, my commitments, and above all prioritise my children and my health. It meant distancing myself from friends who didn’t align with my values or understand the challenges parents face, it meant communicating about what I needed to support my mental and physical health, and it also meant exploring different aspects of self-care.”

Finally, she is instilling the importance of self-care in her four-year-old twin sons in ways that they can understand, namely by asking them to draw their feelings because if they can’t find the words to express themselves, she knows they are off-balance.

“We’re now at the point where, when they are feeling this way, they will proactively get their paper and crayons, draw an image, and share what it means and how they are feeling. For me, this has been my greatest achievement as a mother – to give my children the tools to recognise their emotions, express them, and work through them while expressing what they need right at that moment.”

We talk to Anna Al Qasimi-Roberts about breaking away from the fear of failure and other blocks that hold us back from achieving what we want

How Many of Your

We like to think we have fully embraced and live according to free will, and we make all our own decisions. But, the harsh reality is that we are programmed by society through positive and negative social conditioning. Without realising it we follow sets of laws and rules that are dictated by our parents, our teachers, our communities and our governments.

It starts the moment we are born and we are assigned a name, a gender, and nationality and these set the tone for our formative years, subliminally shaping the adults we become.

It’s easier to comply when we’re younger because we’re less eager to stand out from the crowd because the negative outcome for that is generally bullying and being ostracised from popular groups. So, we fall in line.

Some social rules aren’t always clear either. “We are judged on how we talk, the way we dress, laws, social standards, religious beliefs and traditions. In most cultures, men and women are given completely different conditioning,” said

Are Your Own???

Abeer Al Tamimi, adding, “What is expected to be the norm will vary from culture to culture. Sometimes, we might even encounter drastic contradictions to our norms. Judgment occurs due to a lack of acceptance.”

One trap we have fallen into at one time or another is conforming to the norms that have been dictated by the society around us, regardless of whether they are outdated, false, misleading, or do not align with the present world because we grew up believing in them and seeing them adapted by everyone around us.

It raises the question of how many of our opinions are merely beliefs resulting from unconscious social conditioning, and how many of them are based on our own understanding. While we know many things and are in a continuous process of discovery, how much of our knowledge comes from personal experience, and how much from parrot-like learning?

Al Tamimi took to her private Instagram, with an eclectic mix of about 500 followers, and posed the question, “What does social conditioning mean to you?” Aside from the few expected sheep emojis, there was one overarching tenet to the answers, regardless of nationality, upbringing or life experiences – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

“The message is clear,” she said. “If it’s not affecting us, who cares what other people are doing? We should celebrate diversity, understand that people are different and treat them with respect. Being friends with people from completely different cultures and backgrounds exposes you to so much.

I realised that there was a trauma that goes across cultures around important life choices based on social conditioning, from choosing a university major to who you marry. There’s a collective weight people carry around about what people would say and what the neighbours would think. Many of the responses carried the similar theme of ‘I wish my parents would be more understanding of my decisions.’”

Parents have the pressure and responsibility of bringing their children up with good values, and a lot of the time they are lessons inherited from their parents and their grandparents, where traditions, culture, religion or habits, are dictated and followed generation after generation with nobody stopping to question them, causing a considerable hindrance to critical thinking.

Living in Dubai, where the cultural focus is more on living with tolerance and respect and less on a person’s religion, ethnicity or country of origin, Al Tamimi and her husband are active when addressing conditioning and critical thinking with their children.

“My husband and I always talk to the children openly. I find it extremely important to share both the good and the bad experiences we have had in our lives growing up and as adults. We don’t always agree on certain topics of culture and politics but we respect each other’s opinions, and the kids see that. They see it’s okay to be married and have different opinions and thoughts and to have healthy debates. They understand that not everything is black and white. We are raising our kids to understand that everyone is different and that is okay, but also not to worry about what other people think.”

We should celebrate diversity, understand that people are different and treat them with respect.”

Abeer Al Tamimi discusses how many of our opinions are merely beliefs resulting from unconscious social conditioning and how many of them are based on our own understanding

Can we not carry heavy emotions and be incredibly grateful?”

It’s ok not to be

In an era of being perpetually bombarded with reminders to think positive thoughts in every situation, we look at the reality that sometimes we are not managing as well as we’d like and that doesn’t make us any less

By Maha Gorton

They say that if your car starts to spin, take your foot off the brake and go with it, not to fight it then you’ll be able to regain control. But are we told the same thing about our emotions and general well-being? In our picture-perfect world of social media, “good vibes only” foots many a caption and even more so, takes precedence amongst a list of quasipositive hashtags. When someone musters the courage to voice their struggle, we inherently try to comfort them with platitudes such as, “It could be so much worse!” and “You’ve got so much to be grateful for.” But does one outweigh the other? Can we not carry heavy emotions and be incredibly grateful?

My first realisation of not being OK was after the birth of my first child. From the outside I looked like I was taking to motherhood like a duck to water, but exhaustion had set in, and I was truly burnt out and struggling. My metaphoric car was spinning out of control, and I was fighting against it. Finally, I plucked up the courage to say the words out loud. “I’m having a hard time. I’m not OK,” I managed to mutter as the tears of defeat fell. “You’ve had a baby. Life goes on!” were the words I received — a response that set the tone for handling difficult days and heavy feelings.

Globally, women are 11.7 per cent more impacted by mental health struggles compared to men at 9.3 per cent, according to a 2018 study by Our World in Data. This statistic is hardly surprising when typically, women are consciously or subconsciously expected to put others –family members, a partner, children, work – before themselves at any given time. When it gets too much and we can’t keep it all together, when we get burnt out and we can’t hide that struggle, we are all too often cruelly labelled a train wreck, basket

case or unhinged. These terms are thrown around to describe someone who is showing their emotions that bit more than is deemed socially acceptable and voicing negative feelings, and sadly they are typically reserved almost exclusively for women, and so we push the emotions down.

When we go through a challenging time and we are seen not to cry and seemingly continue as normal, we are praised for being so strong. Whilst the praise is a form of support and encouragement, it also sends the message that if we allow the impact of what we are going through to be seen outwardly then not only are we failing somehow but we are disappointing those around us.

2020 was a year that the world faced not being OK as a collective, and somehow that united struggle brought some beautiful and very much-needed acceptance to being open about mental health. Speaking openly about therapy, anxiety, and even medication suddenly became far less taboo, and ‘self-care’ became the new buzz word. But how many of us practice what we preach? And how many of us allow others that same leeway?

Dr. Saliha Afridi, Director of The LightHouse Arabia, discussed the topic in a live session on Instagram which highlighted the importance of allowing yourself to address the feelings you’re having, rather than forcing yourself to disregard them. She advised, “Before thinking about releasing grief and anger, start by sitting with it and hearing what it is saying and what it is asking of you.”

When we resist these feelings, we actually amplify them, and end up taking on more emotional pain. So, instead of pushing them away we need to acknowledge them rather than judging ourselves or trying to change them. Accepting those heavy feelings and understanding that in giving yourself the permission to feel does not mean you are

letting them consume you, and you create space for others around you the same.

With acceptance comes healthy ways to process and heal. The normalisation of mental health struggles and the presence of difficult feelings has seen an increase in meditation and mindfulness apps, as well as access to online therapy. But what else can we do to process and ride the wave of struggle?

Walking out of my regular HIIT class, the dim lights, and loud music I find almost instant relief. The momentum of my ever-spinning metaphoric car was no longer in the forefront of my mind and was replaced by the momentum of the treadmill and the booming instructions of the coach. Fifty minutes later I am reminded that while I might not be in control of everything, there are some things I can control. It is well documented that physical exercise plays a key role in well-being, showing that it can improve symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression.

But if booking into your nearest yoga class or jumping on the treadmill isn’t your thing, mind.org.uk suggests looking to food for solace. That doesn’t mean rushing to your nearest drive thru but by eating regularly, choosing healthy options, and incorporating more beneficial foods like those rich in omega-3 and omega-6 and managing your caffeine intake. We can significantly improve our mood, energy levels and help ourselves to think more clearly. The power of connecting with a loved one, taking a walk in nature, journaling, or simply listing three things that we are grateful for in that moment, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, should not be underestimated either.

Today might be hard, and tomorrow might be hard too but you’re not alone in this. As Maya Angelou once said, “Every storm runs out of rain.” It’s OK to not be OK all of the time.

What Laure

loves

Welcome to ‘What Laure Loves’ where our Beauty Editor, Laure Sejean, reveals her all-time favourite beauty products where results have been seen on her skin

Sisley Toner

The first time I used it I immediately loved the smell and how it keeps my skin hydrated.

Why do I love it? As much as I try to put clean products on my skin, certain times of the month my skin gets more sensitive. This toner has no alcohol, it is soothing, and it smells like cherry blossoms being carried by the wind.

How do I use it? After cleansing, pour a little on a cotton pad gently wipe over your skin.

Sunday Riley CEOVitamin C Serum

This is the first product that I tried from the brand before falling in love with all of them.

Why do I love it? This is one of the few Vitamin C serums that I’ve tried that hasn’t irritated my skin, and after a few days I could see improved brightness. How do I use it? If you’re a new user, use it once or twice a week so your skin gets used to it, then apply it every morning after your toner.

111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Eye Cream

My life is non-stop and this creates puffiness under my eyes, which has always irritated me.

Why do I love it? It removes under-eye puffiness and reduces fine lines almost instantly. How do I use it? After applying morning toner and face serum, apply a pea-size drop under and around your eyes. Easy!

Drunk ElephantProtein Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant made the cream we didn’t know we needed.

Why do I love it? My skin looked visibly firmer after one month of using it morning and night! I also love the packaging! How do I use it? For the first two months use it morning and evening. Apply it after serums, before day cream and sunscreen. One pump is more than enough for the face and neck.

Juana Skin Face Oil

Whenever my skin is inflamed, red, or just feeling tired, this oil soothes and plumps it.

Why do I love it? it’s a real clean beauty brand with zero nasty ingredients. It has CBD, which soothes and calms your skin, rodhiola rosea to help your skin to destress, and grapeseed oil, a great antioxidant. How do I use it? After applying all my serums and creams, the Juana Skin Face Oil is the last step of my evening skincare routine.

What I Always have on my beauty shelf

WHAT IS ALWAYS IN MY MAKEUP BAG

PRIMER

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - They have a primer for all skin types that are not heavy on the skin.

Why do I love it? My favourite is the illuminating one because I love creating glowy and healthy-looking skin. I also love the blurring one because it keeps the centre of my face matte all day long. How do I use it? Wait for your skincare to penetrate your skin, then apply the primer. I apply the blurring one in the centre of my face and then the illuminating one on my face’s high points.

FOUNDATION - It’s hard to choose only one, so I’ll give you two!

The Sisley Phyto Teint Nude foundation is new and I’m not the only one being obsessed by it.

Why do I love it? My skin still looks like my skin, and it stays hydrated from morning to evening! How do I use it? I use it for daytime right after my skincare. I apply it with the Sisley liquid foundation brush or just my fingers.

The Shiseido radiant lifting foundation: This medium cover hydrating foundation is my new obsession.

Why do I love it? it creates this beautiful radiance on my skin, and it feels light. How do I use it? I love using a flat foundation brush to give a bit of coverage and then a beauty blender to create a flawless canvas.

HIGHLIGHTER

The Dior Backstage glow face palette – it has different shades to cater all skin types.

Why do I love it? You can create the perfect highlight with a super thin, elegant finish on the skin. How do I use it? I apply my highlighter before my blush to get a more natural result with a medium size fluffy brush to be precise in placing it on the high points of the cheeks.

LIPSTICK

The Iconic Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstickThere’s not a week where I don’t use it on my clients.

Why do I love it? It’s a universal nude that suits everyone! You can wear it for every occasion. How do I use it? It’s matte, so I like to apply it on top of my lip balm, followed by the pillow talk lip liner.

BONUS

If you want a 2-in-1: Go for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit face palette.

Why do I love it? It’s a versatile palette. When I have zero time to get ready but still need to look presentable, I use this palette for my face and my eyes! And I love the fine texture and the scent.

How do I use it? After my foundation, I use the finishing powder all over my face, then bronzer to contour, then I apply the highlighter on the high point of my cheeks, then the blusher on my cheeks and my eyelids.

A

AFFAIR

We sat with co-founders of the first CBD brand in the Middle East region – Juana Skin – mother and son Juana and Yann Martini who talk about raising the bar on clean beauty

Yann

Juana

What started as a mother’s concern for her son’s health while under immense stress at his work turned into a wellness journey to help other people that are conscious of what they eat and what they put on their skin.

“Skincare has always been my passion since I was a child. I have always loved mixing ingredients together and testing them on myself. If something worked, I would share it,” said the brand’s namesake, Juana, who grew up around olive trees, adding that creating an oil first was a natural choice. “What I learned in the Juana Skin journey is that at any age you can create your own life, you can succeed.”

For the founders, the range of products is designed to be functional, using goodquality oil at the right potency, to benefit not only the skin in terms of beauty but also the body and mind. For instance, when used at night the Switch Me Off range really helps to get good quality sleep and to recharge the skin overnight.

“The long-term vision of the brand is to become a wellness brand, including supplements and other aspects of nutrition. We started with skincare because it’s non-invasive. It’s a way to open the conversation and educate consumers about CBD, what it is, and how it works. This is our responsibility as being the first CBD brand in the region,” said Yann.

Not all CBD oils are created equal – in fact, several reports over the last few years have found many brands claiming to have CBD didn’t. Authentic CBD oil can only be extracted from the top buds of the flower, at a higher cost than extracting

oil from other parts of the plant. To ensure CBD is being used the ingredients must mention cannabis sativa stem or flower. Otherwise, brands will word their ingredient list carefully, using the phrases such as “Cannabis infused.” In order to bear the CBD label, some brands will include the minimum potency of CBD.

Juana Skin has taken care with each step of the manufacturing process. It complies with European quality standards. The company has partnered with Cannabis farms registered in Europe, and each product is 100% created, designed, and sourced in Europe. We only work with Cannabis farms registered in Europe. The laboratories are all good manufacturing practice (GMP) certified as well.

Aside from ensuring quality ingredients and compliant manufacturing processes were used, Juan Skin’s products underwent a rigorous two-year testing period to get the right potency. Any aroma or colourant that doesn’t add value has been removed. The Martinis wanted the products to be clean – and with every step of the creation process, from farming the ingredients to using airless technology for the the recyclable packaging to avoid contamination, being carefully managed, they have full confidence in their products, though achieving this was not without its challenges.

“It’s easy to compromise on the packaging, on the quality of the CBD from some countries to cut costs, or to add preservatives in order to have a longlife cream or to use a white cream instead of the natural colour. The challenge was to stay faithful, not to comprise our standards. Creating this brand and its products it’s a unique opportunity to create a legacy, to be a pioneer in the CBD beauty industry,” said Yann.

“Creating this brand and its products it’s a unique opportunity to create a legacy, to be a pioneer in the CBD beauty industry.”

“What I learned in the Juana Skin journey is that at any age you can create your own life, you can succeed.”

“When we shot the ‘How to’ videos and images for ProjectwebYouty, asked agencies forwomen with curves, cellulite, acne, Rosacea. We asked for dark skin, light skin, and everything in between.”

BEAUTY LAID BARE

Amy Wilkinson-Lough, Founder of Project bYouty, speaks frankly about what inclusivity and representation really means

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

Projectbyouty.com is an eCommerce platform dedicated entirely to beauty and wellbeing for men and women across the GCC region. It came about because I was a frustrated consumer. I’d shifted towards wanting to ‘better understand’ what was going on my skin and into my blood stream, and I just couldn’t get the products I wanted. Rather, I could, but not without waiting seven-plus days, and paying ridiculous shipping fees, taxes and any other fee said delivery man decided he was charging me when at my door. Building an entirely dedicated platform that educated and had products stocked right here in Dubai – meaning they can be shipped and delivered within 24 hours – seemed like a no brainer. We went live on 15 July, and it’s been all the feels ever since!

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO CREATING A PROFITABLE BUSINESS?

A strong commercial and finance team who have absolutely no problem telling you ‘no,’ repeatedly.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

I’m six months in and facing them daily – come back to me in 18 months and I might have some answers!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Contrary to what media the world over would have you believe, entrepreneurship is not glamourous. Sure, there are moments of euphorical highs, but there are twice as many lows. When you start a business, you must be all in, and that

means above anything else, you must get comfortable with being lonely.

You’re going to be alone when it feels like everyone else is on holiday, at dinner, at the beach, at a party and you must not let that get to you, which is harder than it sounds. I don’t know it all, no one does. But I do know that kindness gets you further than people think, it’s okay to ask for help, and whatever you do, make sure that whatever your idea or product is that your belief in it is unwavering.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

I eat a lot of cake! I balance that with an hour of exercise every morning, which I know sounds so clichéd, but I really do find it helps. It’s my quiet hour – no phone, no emails, no WhatsApps – just me and some outrageously loud hip hop.

I also try to make sure that I surround myself with people who are better than me at specific areas of business. I have confidence in their ability to deliver something I’m just not that confident in, and I can focus on my strengths.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Social media worries me. They say there’s only two ‘things’ in the world where consumers are called ‘users’ – substances and social media.

I think social media, if used and managed responsibly, can connect people and friends and family all around the world. I’d even go so far as to say it can help the next generation change the world. Unfortunately, I also think it can continue to increase suicide and self-harm rates in young women, thanks to its overwhelming, ungoverned ability to make salt look like sugar – and that’s scary.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED?

I’m a white western woman so yes, I’m represented. When we shot the ‘How to’ videos and images for Project bYouty, we asked agencies for women with curves, cellulite, acne, rosacea. We asked for dark skin, light skin, and everything in between. We asked for men, with exactly the same remit. I sifted through image after image of waif-like, beautiful, flawless, young girls – not a curve, a dimple or a spot between them – and it was soul destroying and agencies couldn’t understand why I was so dejected. We have a long, long way to go before we start seeing real everyday women and indeed men represented here, let alone individuals with quirks, and that’s a real shame.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY WOULD YOU?

I wouldn’t trust as easily and I’d take people less at face value – sadly there’s some pretty selfish people out there. But, also you know as they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE?

Disingenuity. If you say you’re going to do something – just do it, and if you aren’t or can’t, own it.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?

I like to think it’s my inability to hear or accept the word ‘no.’ There’s always a side door you just need the tenacity to find it. My husband will tell you it doesn’t make me unique – it makes me a nightmare to be married to.

“Chase your dreams and let go of anything that drags you down, it’s not worth it.”

THE FULL PACKAGE

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – WHAT INSPIRED THE IDEA AND WHEN DID YOU START IT?

I’ve always loved the beauty industry and was always my most fulfilled when I saw how good it made people feel about themselves. When the opportunity came to own a beauty salon that was a one-stop shop for everything women would need to pamper themselves and take a break from everything, I couldn’t pass it up!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR GREATEST PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS?

Going from a solo player to managing a team of almost 20 people and a cashpositive business through a worldwide pandemic was my greatest professional achievement. My greatest personal one was staying sane throughout it.

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST BUSINESS CHALLENGES? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

Obviously COVID. I launched a few days before lockdown, so it was quite brutal. In addition to that, managing staff morale and their productivity when business is low. I always find it easier to work on my own and hated group projects when I was younger but in a business, you have to learn to manage other people and their needs. It’s not easy.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION THAT MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS?

Learn as much as you can about your industry. Start from somewhere and learn the ins and outs, it’s extremely important.

Also, be creative! There are no limits to what you can come up with that will set you apart.

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THE DAILY STRESS OF MANAGING YOUR BUSINESS?

Recently I’ve found that starting my day with a gym session helps give me the energy to go through it. I also like to take an hour before bed and do a brain dump of all my thoughts into notes, so I don’t overthink them while I fall asleep. Family is a huge anchor for me, so I prioritise spending time with them.

HOW DOES SOCIAL MEDIA MAKE YOU FEEL IN GENERAL?

Business wise, social media is vital. You can’t have a successful business in this day and age and not have a social media presence. A lot of our new clients find out about us through social media. Personally, I’m becoming fatigued by the ideals that are being portrayed on social media, and the older I get the less energy I have to put into “polishing” my content up and making it fit into a certain mould.

DO YOU FEEL THAT MAGAZINES, BRANDS, AND PR AGENCIES LACK DIVERSITY IN THIS REGION? DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE INCLUDED AND REPRESENTED? Absolutely not. It’s sad and quite unacceptable how poor the diversity is in this region. As an Arab woman I don’t see my skin colour, body type, or language represented at all, especially in international magazine titles. Even worse when fashion houses and PR agencies try to appeal to the region

without doing proper research, it turns into a giant stereotype.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO WOMEN OUT THERE? Not to quote Bon Jovi, but it’s your life. Do what makes you happy. Decades from now you don’t want to look back and realise you lived according to other people’s standards of what’s okay and what’s not. Chase your dreams and let go of anything that drags you down, it’s not worth it.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LIFE AND CAREER, IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY WOULD YOU?

Nothing at all! If I had changed anything, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Maybe I would’ve paid more attention to my nutrition and gym earlier and probably bought some bitcoin when it was worth a few cents but that’s it!

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? HAVE YOUR PRIORITIES CHANGED?

I’m become more private and more about my personal life and my family life. They’ve been my rock and I’ve realised that they give me the most energy in life. My priorities have shifted more towards peace of mind!

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE? People who listen to voice notes loudly in public.

WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE? I’m still figuring it out!

The owner of Snob Salon, Haneen Odeh, talks about launching days before lockdown, staying afloat, and thriving in the aftermath

“I have decided not to try to find afix as I am ok with having vitiligo andit does not bother me anymore.”

THE SKIN

I’M IN

HOW DID YOU LEARN YOU HAD VITILIGO?

About seven years ago I was in my last year of university and going through a bit of a stressful period in my life. One day, I noticed a white mark on my face – this is where vitiligo started for me – and didn’t really know what it was. After some time, it disappeared and tiny white marks started appearing on my hands. I had moved to Germany by that time, and I saw a dermatologist who confirmed I have vitiligo. That’s how I learned I have this rare autoimmune condition.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD VITILIGO?

Approximately seven years, but the location of vitiligo is unpredictable. I no longer have it on my face and now it is mostly on my hands.

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU DISCOVERED IT?

I think the only time I tried any treatment was when I had had it for about two years already. I tried some topical creams, but they are not successful for many people, especially if your vitiligo is located on your hands or feet. Until I fully accepted having this condition, I chose to wear makeup, specifically MAC concealer, which was a very tedious task. But I had no other choice until I became comfortable not having any makeup on my hands.

WHEN YOU WENT TO SEE A DOCTOR, WHAT DID THEY TELL YOU?

The dermatologist was honest and told me that no treatment for vitiligo is a 100 per cent successful cure. So, my own

research took place and I read other people’s success stories. Some people were able to reduce their white spots by giving up gluten, some drank metal detoxifying smoothies, some tried the carnivore diet, some took special supplements or did light treatments. There is never just one treatment for this condition, but I have decided not to try to find a fix as I am ok with having vitiligo and it does not bother me anymore.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HAVING VITILIGO?

Initially, I was very sad and insecure, and it took me many, many years to even be vocal about it with my audience. The moment I decided to step out of my comfort zone and talk about it openly, everything changed for the better. Sometimes the best things in life are on the other side of fear.

Before, I felt the need to hide my hands and was always stressed whenever someone looked at my hands. Now, this stuff does not bother me anymore and I just smile or talk to anyone who notices it and ask if they know what these white spots are. If they don’t, I am always happy to talk about it and spread awareness.

WHAT IS YOUR BEAUTY ADVICE FOR ANYONE WITH VITILIGO? ARE THERE THINGS YOU SHOULD OR SHOULDN’T DO?

I think the best advice I can give is listen to your body and see what works for you. As I said, there is not just one cure or fix for this condition and what works for one may not work for the other. I also think that a big factor in the spread of vitiligo is stress, so if you can minimise

any stressors or emotional triggers in your life then I would suggest to try to do so. Also, another super important rule is to wear sunscreen and reapply it regularly regardless of the weather. Some people mistakenly think that if it’s cloudy the sun is not damaging. That is wrong! Make sure to look after your skin, as people with vitiligo are especially sensitive to the sun. I know some people choose not to sunbathe, some limit sun exposure to just 10 minutes or so, but I enjoy it for as long as I desire with the only rule being the frequent application of sunscreen.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER WOMEN AND MEN HAVING VITILIGO?

Embrace your body and your uniqueness. Empower those who are insecure about themselves and spread awareness about this unique condition.

WHAT IS THE ONE BEAUTY PRODUCT YOU ALWAYS HAVE WITH YOU? I can’t live without a lip balm and hand cream!

DO YOU HAVE A BEAUTY SECRET? I love drinking collagen with my coffee or smoothies. I think looking after yourself internally is as important what you do externally.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

I aim to keep inspiring others with my journey through various creative projects.

You can find Brigita on Instagram @ imbrigita and enjoy her vlogs on Youtube imbrigita – have a look at her video, “How Vitiligo made me more confident.”

We speak with Dubai-based model Brigita Jagelaviciute about beauty, fighting fear and embracing the things that make her unique

Worth a

THOUSAND WORDS

What does being unfiltered mean to you?

ROLA FAOUR, 41 EGYPTIAN, ARTIST AND DESIGNER

“BEING UNFILTERED IS TO MAKE PEACE WITH ONESELF FIRST, AND THEN REFLECT THAT TO THE WORLD.”

ANGELA BISHARA, 35 EGYPTIAN, FOUNDER OF @OMGTURMERIC

“BEING UNFILTERED IS BEING UNAPOLOGETICALLY RAW AND OPEN. THOUGH HARD, IT’S OFTEN LIBERATING.”

Aaliyah Leitner, 13 German Pakistani

Eleanor Norris, 9 British

Molly Steele, 9 Irish

Amani Khan, 13

Tiana Patel, 13 Lebanese Indian Lianne, 9 Korean Dutch Sienna Turley, 9 Australian Indian American

Sara Bartawi ,11 Emirati

BEST FOOT Ali ,11

Budoor Wasiti, 15 Emirati Canadian Laila Bruno, 14 Italian Egyptian Myla Hu, 15 British Chinese

Alia Bartawi, 13 Emirati Ayaka Asher, 13 Japanese Australian

Maya Kordahji 13 Palestinian Lebanese Ilham Suleiman, 13 Nigerian

Iman Bartawi, 13 Emirati

Polly Wade, 14 American

forward Makeup by Fizah Pasha and Tanya Gagria

Bad Behaviour

WHY I REFUSE TO LET MY TEENS USE SOCIAL MEDIA

Sure, children of today aredigital natives but thatdoesn’t mean they shouldbe given free rein over whatthe internet has to offer

By Dr. Saliha Afridi

This generation is far more invested in showing themselves than knowing themselves.”

With the advent of thesmartphone and theomnipresent social media, itis important to consider theimpact of unmanaged socialmedia use on our children’sdeveloping minds andpersonalities, as well as whatmessages about life, purpose,relationships, and happinessthey are getting through these channels.While technology may be benign, themessages that are transmitted are not.

Through social media, popular culturecommunicates messages of perfection,consumerism, and image to young andimpressionable minds. And whether we like itor not, our children are not just being raised bysocial media but brain-washed by it, and it ishaving an awful impact on their mental healthand wellbeing. For example, more recentlya Facebook whistleblower confirmed what Ihad intuitively known which is that Instagramresults in teen girls feeling worse about theirbodies and that they blame the platform foranxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

When companies recommendthat the child be at least 13 years oldto engage in social media activities,I wholeheartedly disagree. As theyenter their teen years, it is when theirlives are most tumultuous. Theirinner worlds and their outer worlds,whether it be their bodies or theirrelationships, are all in flux. It is alsoa time when they are most vulnerableand most susceptible to the pressuresand influences due to their high needto belong. And if I know that one outof five young people is strugglingwith a mental health condition,and 50 per cent of all mental healthconditions start by the age of 14,I am going to do my very best tolimit the exposure children have tounhelpful and unhealthy stressorssuch as social media.

HERE ARE SOME FACTS TOCONSIDER BEFORE ALLOWINGCHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTSTO START SOCIAL MEDIAACCOUNTS:

1. Excessive social media useis damaging for childrenand adolescents: It shouldcome as no surprise thatwith a lack of self-awareness,fragile self-identity, highlevels of impressionability andvulnerability that childrenand adolescents are strugglingsocially, mentally, physically,and emotionally in today’sworld. It is conditioning usto be competitive, jealous,attention seeking and desperatefor validation from other users.

A whole generation’s identities,values, and well-being are inthe hands of the social mediaconglomerates and “influencers.”

This is showing up in their mentalhealth more than anything. Today,more children and adolescentsare reporting more mental healthproblems than at any othertime in history. Rates of suicideand depression in teens haveskyrocketed since 2011 and as of2019, one in five reported childrenor adolescents is struggling with amental health problem.

1. Social media affects identityformation: One of the maintasks of adolescents is to exploretheir identity and develop asense of self. Self-identity giveschildren a sense of consistencyand stability over time. Wherein the previous generations,adolescents would go out, date,make mistakes, and exploretheir identities, now they are lesslikely to do any of that. Instead,they sit in their rooms and theiridentities are being projectedonto them via social media.

Who you are, what you shouldwear, what you should buy, whoyou should emulate—is all linkedto how many likes they get. Thisgeneration is far more invested inshowing themselves than knowingthemselves.

2. Social media is addictive: WhenI recently did a talk at a middleschool, I asked how many peoplehad social media. All the children,barring two, raised their hands.When I asked how many believedthey were addicted to it, the samepeople raised their hands. Peoplejokingly say things like, “Oh I am soaddicted to my phone,” or “I can’tlive without social media”—withoutreally knowing that they may bestruggling with a real addiction.Young adult brains are beingprimed for addictions and thereis a real neurochemical, biologicaland psychological addiction theycan develop to their devices. Thisis by design as social companiesare spending billions of dollarsin research and development tomake sure engagement remainshigh. Coders who are versed inneuroscience and psychologyare writing the code for the appsto make sure that they deliver aconstant stream of dopamine intothe user’s brains, increasing theirmotivation to use the app more. So,what the app developers refer to asincreased engagement is code foraddiction to the app.

3. Social media affects sleep:According to a university professor,researcher, and neuroscientist sleepis the single most effective thingyou can do to reset your brain andbody for health. Due to the bluescreens on most electronics that weare exposed to, the melatonin releasethat naturally occurs in our body atnight is not taking place. Lower ordelay melatonin, and you will havedisrupted sleep which results ina slew of issues such as memoryand retention problems, attentionproblems, emotional regulationdifficulties, and frustrationtolerance difficulties to name afew. A 2015 study by Kaiser foundthat if children are looking atscreens for over 7.5 hours a dayfor non- academic purposes, thenthe quality of sleep is going to becompromised.

4. Social media is negativelyimpacting relationships: Manychildren who are growing up inthe digital age and with socialmedia have a very superficial

understanding of relationships.They do not understand the effortit takes to make and maintainreal relationships, because muchof what we know about them,how they are formed, how theyare invested in, and how they aremaintained is learned throughengaging socially with peersduring childhood and adolescence.It happens in classrooms, onplaygrounds, on sports teams, andon casual outings to the mall onthe weekends—all the interactionsthat are now limited or disrupteddue to technology.Many of the younger generationsare growing up self-absorbed,spending most of their daysshowing what they have, whatthey ate, and where they travelledon the different social mediachannels and actually believe thatit is the most important thing theywill do that day. Because of thesereasons, researchers are findingthat narcissist traits are on the rise,and empathy, a critical ingredientfor emotional intelligence andhaving good relationships, is onthe decline.

5. Cyberbullying is at an all-timehigh: It is a major issue, withyoung people lacking empathyand engaging in harsh, critical,mean language which reacheshundreds of people with a click ofa button. There is no safe place forthe young person because, unliketraditional bullying, they wouldbe attacked or feel threatened atschool or on the bus, but now theviolence of bullying is felt 24/7.

I, like many parents, had manyconversations with my childrenwho would come to me saying, “Buteveryone else is doing it, why can’tI?” and I have spent the last few yearseducating my three teens about thedangers of social media, the addictivenature of gaming, YouTube andchatting platforms. While I am underno illusion that my children will remainoff social media for the rest of theiryoung adulthood, I will do my very bestto keep them off social media until theygo to college. In the meanwhile, I willdo my best to model for them how toconsciously relate to social media anduse it as a force for good.

“Equipping children, teenagers and young adults with these tools and techniques enable them to access their inner strength and courage when needed.”

PARENTING DURING

The Pandemic

By Jasmine Navarro

When we talk about health, we usually think about our physical health but actually, our mental health and well-being are just as important.

The uncertainty of the last two years which affected us all has negatively affected the younger generation, and we are not out of the woods yet. Children, teenagers, and young adults spent more time than ever relying on technology for social and academic purposes as they spent more time at home due to safety precautions. This resulted in an increase in feelings of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, stress, pressure, and procrastination.

Based on my research and experience of giving interactive workshops in schools and universities and one-on-one coaching with this age group, this is a very concerning development. However, the solution to prevent these negative effects is a lot simpler than we might anticipate.

Increasing self-awareness, building confidence and resilience, and finding ways to master life challenges in a healthy way are key. Equipping children, teenagers

and young adults with these tools and techniques enable them to access their inner strength and courage when needed. This allows them to become independent, self-reliant, and confident individuals. The healthier they are mentally and physically, the better they will show up in the world with whatever they choose to do.

Here are some useful tips that you as a parent can implement straight:

• Being an active listener – taking a step back and really listening to what your child has to say without any judgement or assuming you need to need to change or fix

• Creating a safe space – allowing your child to feel safe enough to trust and open up

• Being there for them – providing guidance instead of control

• Accept them as they are – giving them the opportunity to be seen and heard and allowing them to express themselves in a way that feels right for them

• Avoid comparisons and pressure – supporting their efforts instead of criticising has been proven to lead to be more motivating and lead to productive results

It’s easy to have an all-or-nothing mindset which can often result in not making any changes. We must remember to have a growth mindset and be reminded that it’s the small habits we do every day that make a real difference in our lives long term.

Change starts with you and your family. Everything else will follow. Contributing ways to create healthy, balanced individuals will certainly have a positive impact on the world. Happy, healthy people make better life decisions. It all starts with selfawareness, allowing us to make conscious choices that serve us, protecting us and the world around us.

In my work as a family coach, I help children, teens, young adults, and parents find psychological safety so they can flourish during this vital development period and will thrive into their futures. My interactive online course for teens and young adults applies an authentic, creative, multi-dimensional approach that is fun and dynamic. I support not only teens, but also, siblings, parents, friends, and even teachers, because well-being is a multifaceted area of health, and we all have our parts to play.

While we’re two years into “unprecedented times,” there are still ways that our youth needs support and what adults can do to help them

Thank you

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CELEBRATING REAL-LIFE HEROES

SUBHASINI MISTRY IS AN INDIAN SOCIAL WORKER. BECOMING A WIDOW AT THE AGE OF 23, WITH FOUR CHILDREN, SHE STRUGGLED IN LIFE WORKING AS A HOUSEMAID, SELLING VEGETABLES, AND AS A MANUAL LABOURER. DESPITE THIS, SHE BUILT A CHARITABLE HOSPITAL CALLED “HUMANITY HOSPITAL” FOR THE POOR. SHE WAS AWARDED INDIA’S FOURTH HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD – THE PADMA SHRI— IN 2018.