13 LUCKY
OUR MOST
WORK HARD
THE
BU S I N E S S
BONJOUR,
PARIS!
INFLUENTIAL
WOMEN
I S S UE
THE ULTIMATE
VALENTINE’S
GIFT GUIDE
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Beauty Editor NAY L A KUR D nkurd@promoprints-me.com
Junior Editor YASMIN H A R A K E yharake@promoprints-me.com
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CONTRIBUTORS LA NA E L S AH ELY LA RA ZANKOUL U MAGA Z IN E J OR DA N Senior Editor LEEN AMMOUR I Art Director FARAH HA J TAS u.fashion@alfaridah.com.jo
EDITORIAL Managing Editor AYYOUB TAMS u.managingeditor@alfaridah.com.jo
Writer-at-Large LA I L A S WAIS u.editor@alfaridah.com.jo
u.artdirector@alfaridah.com.jo
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Jewelry & Fashion Photographer L EVON P ELTE K I A N u.photographer@alfaridah.com.jo
Photo Editor DA N IA S N OB A R u.photoeditor@alfaridah.com.jo
Junior Designer AH MAD AL IAH
FASHION, JEWELRY & BEAUTY Fashion Editor SA RAH S AUD I u.fashioneditor@alfaridah.com.jo
Junior Fashion Editor BISSA N B AZL AMIT
ua.designer@alfaridah.com.jo
CONTRIBUTORS MEL AN IE B UTCH ER
u.styleeditor@alfaridah.com.jo
Beauty Editor TALA SUKHUN u.beautyeditor@alfaridah.com.jo The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors 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 information only. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the prior permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. Distributed by Messageries du Moyen Orient de la Presse et du Livre. Regular newsstand retail price 8,000 LBP
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U FASHION
SHARP SHOPPING SENSIBLE STYLE
Get the latest runway looks on a budget via these great finds. Necklace at topshop.com 36,000 LBP
Ring at asos.com 23,000 LBP
Giorgio Armani
Blazer at topshop.com 80,000 LBP
Fossil watch, at topshop.com 171,000 LBP
Vero Moda top 45,000 LBP
GREY MATTER
Aldo boots 85,000 LBP
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Photos courtesy of IMAXTREE
H&M trousers 99,000 LBP
Refresh your winter work wear with a simple style update to a classic grey suit. Throw a splash of color from a pastel palette into the mix to add a little edge to your everyday office look and show them who’s the boss. Aldo bag 91,000 LBP
U FASHION
BORROW IT FROM HIM TREND SOLUTION
Viktor & Rolf Maison Martin Margiela
Pascal Millet Max Mara
Hermes
Business doesn’t have to be boring. Get ahead with your work wear wardrobe and add these style steals to sharpen your office look.
Nothing says laidback-luxe like a boyfriend blazer. Team yours with a smart shirt to show you’re ready for work, but choose one with an exciting print to liven up your look. Givenchy blazer, at mytheresa.com 162,000 LBP
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Photos courtesy of IMAXTREE
TRAIL BLAZER
MORE OF
Michael Kors blazer, at net-a-porter.com 649,000 LBP
FOLLOW THE LEADER Turn heads this month by wearing what you want – exactly how you want it. Rule number one this season: there are no rules! Have some fun with your formal look - add a pair of chunky ankle boots and a quirky, statement bag. Chloe shirt, at bagheeraboutique.com 1,584,000 LBP
Photo courtesy of IMAXTREE
Superduper hat, at luisaviaroma.com 477,000 LBP
Stella McCartney blazer, at net-a-porter.com 1,385,000 LBP
Les Petits Joueurs bag, at luisaviaroma.com 1,135,000 LBP
Simon Rocha skirt, at net-a-porter.com 673,000 LBP Maison Martin Margiela boots, at farfetch.com 776,000 LBP
J. Crew blazer, at net-a-porter.com 475,000 LBP
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Emporio Armani Pascal Millet
Jil Sander Paul Smith
Ralph Lauren
Trade up your trousers for a brand new pleated number. The extra details give what's typically a very androgynous look a flirtier feel. Balance out your look by throwing on a tomboy sweater.
Alexander Wang trousers, at net-a-porter.com 818,000 LBP
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Photos courtesy of IMAXTREE
PLEATS PLEASE
MORE OF
Richard Nicoll trousers, at net-a-porter.com 686,000 LBP
OFFICE READY Try a more rebellious office look and slip into some embellished brogues for an added edge, and some statement sunnies for a high-impact hello. Sunmokat sweater, at elevenparis.com 89,000 LBP
Grey Ant sunglasses, at neimanmarcus.com 393,000 LBP
Photo courtesy of IMAXTREE
Thornton Bregazzi trousers, at net-a-porter.com 668,000 LBP
Exocet bag (Upon Request)
Ance Studios shirt, at net-a-porter.com 277,000 LBP
Burberry trousers, at net-a-porter.com 206,000 LBP
Dolce & Gabbana brogues, at net-a-porter.com 1,276,000 LBP
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U OBSESSION
THE LUCKY By YASMIN HARAKE
Here at U, we’ve been talking – and I mean more than usual. There are women across the globe excelling in what they do – and with that in mind - we’ve handpicked thirteen inspirational ladies who you may (or may not) have heard of, because we believe the work they do and the choices they make are making a difference.
Miroslava Duma THE ALL-ROUNDER
TAMARA MAHDI “I am an optimist. Also I can fly like Batman. But that's another story.” Miroslava Duma, or Mira to her friends, is one of Russia’s fashion elite. Taking the industry by storm, the former editor of Harper’s Bazaar Russia turned fashion consultant has gone on to found her own website, Buro24/7. The online powerhouse covers a range of topics from fashion to cinema and art to architecture, and shows no signs of stopping there. Mira is married to entrepreneur Aleksey Mikheev and has two children – we love that she balances her work with her family. All in all, Mira is a fashion force to be reckoned with.
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Sophia Amoruso THE BOSS
REEM JOUDIEH “If this is a man’s world, who cares? I’m still really glad to be a girl in it.” Sophia Amoruso made a name for herself when she founded Nasty Gal, an online retailer for women’s clothing and accessories. In six years, the company grew by 10,000% in sales and it was titled one of “the fastest growing companies” by Inc. Magazine in 2012. After a difficult start in life, she started an Ebay store which eventually became an online shop. Sophia has gone on to write a memoir, #GIRLBOSS and with almost 1.5 million followers on Instagram, Sophia is a symbol of drive and motivation to women around the world.
Amal Alamuddin THE LEADER
BUSHRA JOMAA “I’m wearing Ede & Ravenscroft.” This year Amal Alamuddin – oops, I mean Amal Clooney – has been making the headlines for all the right reasons. Yes, she married George but there’s more to this lady than her last name. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Amal pursued her studies in Oxford, UK, and then attained a Masters in New York before working on UN tribunals for her home country and Yugoslavia. She has also become prominent in education – lecturing students on international criminal law across the UK and America. Smart, savvy and successful in her own right, Amal is fast becoming one of the most talked about women on the planet – especially this week. When asked about the label she was wearing, she declared the designer was Ede & Ravenscroft – London’s oldest tailors of legal wear. See, she’s funny too!
Miranda Kerr THE MOTHER
YASMIN HARAKE “For me, family is life. My career has been wonderful, but it’s not my life.” Miranda Kerr shot to fame in 2007 as one of the Victoria’s Secret angels. Since becoming a global fashion icon, Miranda has starred in campaigns for Mango and Swarovski, published a self-help book, entitled Treasure Yourself, and launched KORA organics – an organic skincare range. When she isn’t promoting her products at events across the globe, Miranda still finds time to give back and dedicates her energy and efforts to various charities and organizations - she has worked with both Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and Children International. When photographed in public, Miranda is rarely seen without her four-year son, Flynn, whom she had with her ex-husband, Orlando Bloom. Miranda might be one of the world’s most recognized faces in fashion, but she’s fast becoming known for being a stylish single mother who puts her son ahead of everything else.
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Natalie Massenet THE CREATOR
CHRISTINE TOHME “You can’t be stylish without being smart.” Net-a-Porter has become somewhat of a popular word in the U magazine office – as well as the rest of the world. Natalie Massenet is the founder of the designer fashion portal, and a true self-made success story. The Net-a-Porter story began in 2010, with investors and designers reluctant to experiment with the new company. Natalie turned her business around and has since been awarded an MBE for her services to fashion, named Woman of the Year by US Glamour, and labelled as one of Time Magazine’s most influential people. Natalie has proved that hard work and determination can have the most unimaginable results.
Ameerah Al-Taweel THE GIVER
NADA SHARARA “I didn’t want to be that girl who’s not doing anything. I wanted to make an impact." Ameerah Al-Taweel’s story is a remarkable one. At the age of 18, she requested to interview Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal for a school paper - nine months later they were married. Princess Ameerah is the vice-chairperson of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on poverty, disaster relief and the empowerment of women. After she formally opened the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge, England, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, awarded her with an 800th Anniversary Medal for Outstanding Philanthropy.
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Annie Leibovitz THE ARTIST
LARA ZANKOUL “A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.” It’s very likely you have come across the stunning photography of Annie Leibovitz, however you may not have realized it. The world-renowned photographer has photographed some of the most famous people in the world – from Keira Knightley to Queen Elizabeth. She was also the last person to photograph John Lennon, as she took his picture a mere five hours before he was shot and killed. Annie Leibovitz has made a name for herself through her vision and creativity, proving that raw talent combined with perseverance and determination can only have positive results.
Lena Dunham THE REBEL
Giuliana Rancic THE FIGHTER
AYA JOUNI “You can never take your reputation back. There really is nothing as powerful as a good reputation.” Giuliana Rancic, an American television presenter, is also a cancer survivor who underwent a double mastectomy in 2011. Guiliana and her husband revealed their ongoing struggle to conceive a child – another problem that many couples across the world are all too familiar with. They announced they were expecting a baby via gestational carrier in 2012, and welcomed their first child later that year. Guiliana has become a beacon of hope for women who are facing the strains of both cancer and infertility, and she has used her personal experiences to raise awareness of both issues.
NAYLA KURD “You’re raised to think being a mother is an inevitable step in your development, but you start to ask yourself questions because not every woman does want to have children.” If you haven’t seen the hit US television show, Girls, you might want to after reading this. Lena Dunham is an actress, author, producer, screenwriter and director - and an outspoken one at that. Lena was the first woman to win a Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Director in a Comedy Series for her work on Girls, and last year she published her first book, an autobiography. Lena has paved the way for the more unconventional of us, proving that a little laughter goes a long way.
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Sara Blakely THE DESIGNER
NOUR ABDUL-WAHAB “It's important to be willing to make mistakes. The worst thing that can happen is you become memorable.” According to Forbes Magazine, Sara Blakely is the 93rd most powerful woman in the world. Why, you might ask? Well here’s you answer – Spanx. We’ve all heard of it, although we may not admit it. Some of you are probably wearing them right now. Spanx has become known across the globe for providing women with comfortable and flattering shapewear, and now has a net worth of an estimated $1 billion. We salute her – and her underwear.
Suzy Menkes THE WRITER
CELINE ASSOUAD “The way that people dress makes them part of an army, dressed in their own uniform, determined to do something.” Suzy Menkes is perhaps the best-known fashion editor in the world. After commenting on fashion for 25 years at the International New York Times, Suzy now writes all things fashion exclusively for Vogue online. When it comes to the fashion industry, Suzy is well-loved and respected, for she is known for giving reviews of designers and shows that are both fair and balanced. Suzy now holds a British OBE and the Legion d’honneur in France – the highest order in the country.
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Victoria Beckham THE ICON
LANA EL SAHELY “I want a big house with a moat and dragons and a fort to keep people out.” In the last ten years, Victoria Beckham has taken the fashion industry by storm, becoming a global fashion designer and style icon. She started out by having a mere fling with fashion, modeling for Roberto Cavalli at Milan Fashion Week, and has since gone on to dominate the runway with her self-titled fashion label. Victoria supports a number of charities such as Save the Children and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last year, she made what is perhaps her strongest move yet – by joining the Ban Bossy campaign as a spokesperson advocating leadership roles for girls.
Kate Middleton THE DUCHESS
TATIANA COSTANTIN “I’m still very much Kate.” Catherine Middleton, or Kate as we British like to affectionately call her, is the nation’s sweetheart. Just a regular girl who caught the eye of a Prince, her story is a modern day fairytale – and who doesn’t love a happy ending? Kate has made a name for herself by breaking royalty’s fashion rules – she often brushes designer garments aside in favor of British high street brands, such as Reiss and L.K. Bennett. The Duchess supports charities like East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, Action on Addiction, and Natural History Museum – the latter a patronage that was formally held by Diana, Princess of Wales.
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