ISSUE 19 SEPT 2014 KSA’S BIG10 ! Makeup NO-NOS OUR GLAMOROUS FASHION ISSUE! Princess Reema bint Bandar – Investing in the Future Stone Town: Rijal Alma Top French Restaurants in Town Wafaa Abbar, the Brains Behind Rubaiyat Wearing Chocolate on the Runway
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September, the month of glossy covers, catwalks and fashion weeks; it’s the season that determines what threads would trend and what frocks would flop.
As always, the Destination team has caught the fashion craze beforehand so that we can bring you an edition that’s all about your sartorial sensibilities.
We get right down to business with Princess Reema bint Bandar, CEO of Harvey Nichols, whose insights give us a glimpse of what it takes to create socially lasting change in the fashion industry. If that’s not enough, we turn the spotlight to Wafaa Abbar, shareholder and president of Rubaiyat modern luxury.
This issue of Destination brings together the local talents and tastemakers creating a whole new fashion movement across the Kingdom. We invite you to go through the pages and read the wonderful story of the girl behind Fyunka, Alaa Balkhy.
Unleash your inner fashionista with our relatable articles on building your dream closet, hijabi style essentials, thobes and more. Even your dining options become a fashionable adventure with our reviews of fashion cafes in the city and French restaurants for the dainty Parisian in you.
In all honesty, the Destination team is a diverse bunch. We’re not Louboutin strutting, Birkin waving types; at least not in the office. Some of us party in sneakers; spend everyday in plain tees, rock in thobes while others know when the latest Chanel catalog is out. It’s probably our differences that help us put together a magazine that has something for everyone.
We guess you can say that we are a reflection of the city we love. There’s no such thing as a cookie-cutter Riyadhi and we like that about the capital. Whatever your style is, you can be sure that there’s something within our pages that’s just right for you.
‘Till next time, our dear readers stay chic, fab and true.
Arts & Entertainmentguide to lazy shoppingthe eye behind the camera
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Fashion & Shoppingkhaleeji thobe essentials5 ways to tie a scarffashion blunders: the big no-no'ssaudi heritage: aram al ammari
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Special Featuresksa's fashion 10forever young for your dream closet
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Businessprincess reema bint bandar: investing in the future of fashionwafaa abbar: rubaiyat president and shareholderalaa balkhy: the face behind fyunka
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thumbs up to ENSURING SmOOTH TRAFFIC IN mAKKAH
thumbs down to RIYADH TO FACE mORE TRAFFIC HEADACHES
In recent months, we've already seen an increase in road detours around the city. Starting next week, the Higher Commission for the Development of Riyadh will have more road construction projects underway. While we welcome improvements, many Riyadhi drivers have complained about the lack of safety signs and road warnings. Apart from the inconvenience, this has led to daily traffic accidents around Turki Al Awal and King Abdullah roads. We do hope the project managers will attend to resolve these issues and put the proper safety measures before traffic gets even heavier when the school year begins.
The large development projects that have been taking place at theGrand Mosque in Makkah have been causing plenty of traffic congestion. In order to fix this problem and lessen its effects, the Makkah traffic department has deployed officers and motorbikeriders to make certain that the traffic is smoother. In addition, the department also found a strategy to prevent trucks from going into Makkah during peak hours and built large parking lots to reduce the number of cars on the road. The presence of allocatedundercover police in unmarked cars will also help give out heavy penalties for drivers who break the law.
Saudi Railways Organization president confirmed that the Riyadh-Al-Kharj rail service consists of four new trains that link Riyadh and Dammam. The first of these four trains will arrive by the end of November, withthe remaining three following a month later. The trains are beingproduced in CAF, a leading global rolling stock manufacturer in Spain. These new trains will be an improved version of the previously used ones and will have an increased passenger capacity and luggage facility. They will also be able to run up to 180 kmph under extreme weather conditions.
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Continues...
Join this September’s Contest: (10th - 25 th )Capture an image that best represnts Arab Hospitalityfrom your prespective & Post it on Twitter or InstagramDon’t Forget to mention:#Arab_hospitality @Talah_AlJoodFor more details follow us @Talah_AlJood
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ENCHANTéE ESCADA unveiled at paris gallery Diamonds drip glamour onto Escada’s latest revelation this season. Cultured with a symphony of 384 diamonds, the Ivory timepiece is a crochet of chic that vaults a purity of 1.55 carats. Piercing features with eloquence so refined, this Swiss-made timepiece dresses to impress no one but herself. She is a stunning rendition of “Moulin Rouge does Parisian high tea.”
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ROmE INSPIRES montblanc Jeweled pen A unique 1/1 Montblanc pen is currently being showcased by Montblanc in two of its boutiques in the UAE. Inspired by one of the Seven Hills of Rome, the extraordinarily luxurious Montblanc Monte Celio is the result of 800 Montblanc craftsmen whose combined talent has turned this pen into a work of art.
LUmIA 930 available in saudi arabia Microsoft Devices announced the availability of the Lumia 930 with Windows Phone 8.1 in Saudi Arabia, a device that integrates Microsoft and Lumia to deliver video and imaging experience on a smartphone. The Lumia 930 is now available in Saudi Arabia at a retail price of SR 2,199, in a range of colors including bright orange, bright green, black and white.
JAGUAR launches new digital experience
Luxury automotive manufacturer Jaguar MENA has unveiled its new website www.jaguar-me.com, designed to enhance the Jaguar digital brand for customers and fans across the MENA region. Tailored for today’s consumers, the website is designed for multiple screens, allowing customers access to Jaguar whether it be on smart phone, tablet, PC or other mobile device.
AIR ARABIA offers direct flights to antalya Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s low-cost carrier, will start non-stop services to Antalya in southwest Turkey. Air Arabia offers three weekly flights to Antalya, making it a holiday destination for passengers traveling from the UAE. Today, the low-cost pioneer operates over five weekly non-stop services between Istanbul and Casablanca.
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mASERATI ExCEEDS 2013 sales in first half of 2014Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati continues its global expansion strategy and reports that sales in the Middle East and Africa region have increased by 152 percent in the first half of 2014 compared to last year’s result of the same period. The result of the first six months of 2014 exceeds the sales of 2013 overall.
OmAR BASAAD debuts ‘2 love’Music producer Omar Basaad debuted his latest hit single “2 Love” on top music stations with over 5 million views already through its streaming broadcast. The vocals with Alicia Madison add a magical overtune on progressive house beats to create an incredible summer anthem.
tag heuer mAKES HISTORY AT LE mANSTAG Heuer and Dempsey Racing signed a long-term partnership this weekend during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. More than 40 years after Steve McQueen starred in the race classic “Le Mans” with a Monaco chronograph on his wrist, the asphalt once again belongs to TAG Heuer and Hollywood.
lufthansa VOTED EUROPE’S LEADING AIRLINE For the fourth consecutive time Lufthansa Airlines has been voted “Europe’s leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards – an award for the best of Europe’s travel industry following a voting process involving 230,000 travel tourism and hospitality professionals worldwide. Lufthansa was selected as winner from a shortlist of 11 top European airline brands in Athens, Greece.
NAGHI mOTORS shows 13% sales increase for bmw and mini Mohamed Yousuf Nagi Motors has reported a sales increase of 13 percent for the first half of 2014, signaling a great result for the BMW Group importer in Saudi Arabia. Driving the strong results were a number of new vehicle launches: the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, M235i as well as the all-new MINI Hatch.
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what’sbeen GOING ON!
01LINDE AG, KJC SIGN AGREEmENT TO SET UP A HEALTHCARE COmPANY CEO of Linde AG, and Sheikh Khaled Juffali, chairman of KJC, signed a shareholders agreement at the Linde Group’s head office to set up a healthcare joint venture in the KSA. The joint venture will be operated through a limited liability company, provide innovative care programs for long-term ventilated patients, homecare services for chronically ill patients and other healthcare related services.
02ITHRA KNOwLEDGE PROGRAm 2014 IN RIYADH A SUCCESSSaudi Aramco’s cultural outreach initiative has made its way to the capital. The program ran from July 29 – Aug. 29 at the Riyadh International Conference and Exhibition Center. Described as the ultimate summer educational trip for families, the iThra knowledge program features Lego Land, traffic safety town and many more.
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05AL JUmAIH SPONSORS FJR TEAmAl Jumaih Automotive, the largest and leading General Motors (GM) dealer in the Middle East, sponsored the FJR team in the Saudi Drifting Championship with racer Falah Al Jarba leading the way. The drift took place in Riyadh, with over 50 participating racers from all over the Kingdom.
03mATCHES DRAwN FOR GULF CUP 2014The 22nd Gulf Cup will be held in Riyadh from Nov. 13 – 26. To kick off the biennial competition, matches were drawn Aug. 12 at the Al Masmak palace. All matches will be held at the King Fahd Stadium and the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
04FARmERS FLOCKTO BURAIDAH DATE FESTIVALLocal farmers flocked to Buraidah to attend the annual date festival at the Qassim souk. In addition to offering a variety of dates from all over the Kingdom, Gulf farmers were also invited to showcase their harvests. The Date festival is also made available through the Date Souk at Exit 14.
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SEPT 1-2women Leaders in Saudi Arabiawomen leaders in saudi arabia is a summit dedicated to women’s empowerment. the summit will examine the significant role played by women as leaders, and recognize saudi women achievers. keynote speakers include: dr. samia al amoudi, dr. basmah mosleh omair, samar h. fatany and najlaa abbas.
Organizer: iiglobal business information and conferences.Contact: shawn issacEmail: [email protected]: http://iigbi.com/womensaudi
SEPT 3 The Single Use medical Devices Conference the international conference for the single use medical devices is organized by saudi fda, and aims to measure scientists, experts and specialists’ views regarding the reuse of single use medical devices and associated risks for patients.
Location: ritz carlton hotel Tel: +966 -11- 2038222Organizer: saudi food and drug authority
SEPT 4-6 Our Beautiful world Exhibition 2014 in its third edition, our beautiful world exhibition provides women and families with an atmosphere of beauty and excellence.
Location: kingdom hall, four seasons hotel Tel: +966 -11- t4014412 ext: 104/105/107Mob: +966 - 561781322
SEPT 9-11 Saudi International Conference for Entrepreneurship Associations and Centersconference organized by entrepreneur association.
SEPT 9-11 Saudi Dental Society workshopthree-day workshop on the fundamental skills in medical research by dr. bassel tarakji, dr. kusai baroudi and dr. omar kujan.
Location: al farabi collegemob: +966 - 501158867
SEPT 9-10 Saudi Arabia CIO Summit cio summit is the largest gathering of cios in saudi arabia. this series provides thought-provoking and actionable insights to cios. Location: four seasons hotelmob: +971- 43912747
SEPT 14-16 Second annual Talent and Diversity Leadership Forumthe inaugural forum seeks to review the changing leadership demands. Location: riyadh intercontinental hotelURL: www.talentdiversityforum.com
SEPT 14 Saudi Dental Society Lecturethe lecture’s program consists of the regenerative endodontics and the role of a general dentist in early orthodontic treatment.
SEPT 17-18Desert Solar: Saudi Arabiameeting place for all the important stakeholders in saudi arabia solar energy market. examines the status and development of the saudi arabia solar energy market.
SEPT 23Saudi National Day Celebrationluxury events is hosting a national day celebration in the capital bringing the public more entertainment genres.
Mob: +966 - 537258169URL: www.luxuryevents-sa.com
SEPT 17-18Basic Surgical Skillsresearch centerDate: sept.17-18Location: king faisal specialist hospital & research centerTel: +966 -11- 4647272 ext. 31730
SEPT 9-11 Recent Advances in Therapeutic & Donor Apheresis workshoppathology and laboratory medicine
Location: king faisal specialist hospital & research centerTel: +966 -11- 4424224
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SEPT 7-10 ww-Food 2014a platform for industry players to discuss key issues, discover new business and investment opportunities and interact with major stakeholders.
Location: riyadh international convention and exhibitioncenter – ricec Tel: +966 - 11 - 2295604 ext: 511/512Contact: khalid daouURL: www.saudi-agriculture.com
SEPT 7-10 Saudi Food-Packan event that showcases products like machinery and services that are essential for food production and packing.
Location: riyadh international convention and exhibition center – ricec Tel: +966 - 11 - 2295604 ext: 511/512Contact: khalid daouURL: www.saudi-agriculture.com
SEPT 14-18 12th Pediatric Intensive Review Course Pediatrics Location: king faisal specialist hospital & research centerTel: +966 -114427761
SEPT 14-19Internal medicine Course Part IImedicineLocation: king faisal specialist hospital & research centerTel: +966 -11- 4427495
SEPT 14-18 Australian Company Offers PmP Preparationfive-day course training professionals in various fields.
mob: +966 - 546747009
SEPT 15 Data Centers and ConvergeIT: Future-Proofing your Infrastructure Investment seminar includes areas on the process of selecting, designing and deploying the business-critical cabling infrastructure upon which your data center and it network will rely.
Location: al faisaliah hotelURL: www.siemon.com
SEPT 15-16Saudi marketing Conferenceorganized by thinkout.
Location: al faisaliah hotelURL: www.thinkout.biz
SEPT 15-17 Saudi mega Transport & Infrastructure Projectsthe definitive event in saudi arabia for all those seeking opportunities in the kingdom’s transportation, construction, housing and social infrastructure projects markets.
Location: al faisaliah hotelURL: www.saudimegaprojects.com
SEPT 29 - OCT 1POPSphysical therapy
Location: king faisal specialist hospital & research centerTel: +966 -11- 4423892
Investing in the Future of FashionAn interview with
Princess Reema bint bandaR By Hibatalla El Shafie In her role as CEO of Alfa and Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud is instigating change with her creative and, on occasion, bold decisions. In an industry where glamour and image are key, Princess Reema balances her leadership with a commitment to social responsibility and an ongoing program that aims to give back to the community. Pioneering female integration in the retail workforce, Princess Reema is championing change and investing in a bright further for Saudi fashion.
B U S I N E S SW H O ’ S W H O
Can yOu tell uS a bit abOut yOuRSelf? WHat made yOu deCide tO get intO HigH faSHiOn Retail?
I am the mother of two wonderful children and I am the CEO of ALFA international (Harvey Nichols Riyadh) and the founder of Baraboux.
The decision to go into retail was a natural one based on my family’s history of introducing Donna Karan in Saudi Arabia 18 years ago and being shareholders in Harvey Nichols Riyadh. My personal interest in retail evolved from observing behavior patterns to
seeing how we can improve the customer journey. tHe lOCal faSHiOn COmmunity iS gROWing and a lOt Of tHe deSigneRS SHaRe a deSiRe tO bRing tHeiR bRandS On tHe inteRnatiOnal platfORm. WHat adviCe WOuld yOu give tHem in ORdeR tO make tHiS Happen?
Success in fashion requires focus on excellent craftsmanship and staying true to one’s aesthetic. The location of the design is irrelevant. What stands out is quality. yOu’ve been COmmended fOR yOuR exeCutive deCiSiOnS tO HiRe Saudi WOmen in tHe Retail induStRy. peOple Have COmmented tHat SuCH effORtS Have Had SeRiOuS Revenue COnSequenCeS tO RetaileRS. if it’S tRue, WHat meaSuReS Have yOu dOne tO balanCe tHe RiSkS Of
Accessories on the Lower Ground floor.
Evening wear at Harvey Nichols.
Princess Reema looks out the window of
her office at Alfa International, a luxury
retail corporation whose interests include
the operation of Harvey Nichols in Riyadh.
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SOCial CHange and Still aCHieve HaRvey niCHOlS’ bOttOm line?
Successfully integrating women into our workforce is not a simple matter, but the results are well worth the challenges. The store made various accommodations to comply with the government’s rules including separate break rooms, specified ratios of women to men in any given space and inserting dividing barriers in certain areas. Harvey Nichols Riyadh was the first department store to have an onsite daycare facility for the children of its employees. We are very proud of what has been accomplished and choose to view the financial impact as an investment in our countrywomen not as a loss.
aRe tHeRe any pROjeCtS tHat yOu aRe CuRRently SpeaRHeading OR feel StROngly abOut?
Our marketing calendar at Harvey is always full but next year will be very special as it marks our 15th anniversary. I’m also looking forward to the Zahra Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation’s projects for breast cancer awareness month in October.
WHat’S yOuR vieW On etHiCal faSHiOn and SOCial entRepReneuRSHip? in WHat WayS Can faSHiOn induStRy playeRS and RetaileRS impaCt OR give baCk tO tHe COmmunity?
Business and ethics can go hand in hand and there are many ways fashion retailers can give back to their communities. One of the
more memorable initiatives at Harvey Nichols Riyadh was the 2011 Drop & Shop campaign in conjunction with Sawa’ed Atheeb. Annually, we team up with Zahra Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation on a program called: you are beautiful where a licensed dermatologist consults on the products in our store that would suit a chemotherapy/radiation patient. We donate both the products and the time of our make up artists to teach these women how to embrace their beauty. As a retailer we wish to respond to the community we are in so we support young designers, artists as well as like-minded people who need the umbrella of a larger institution to help them give back. WHat’S yOuR faSHiOn eSSential?
Any of the essentials range from Baraboux, as these small bags are stylish and perfectly sized to be transferred between all your other, larger bags, saving the hassle unpacking keys, wallet, phone, makeup…
in yOuR OpiniOn, WHat gapS need tO be filled in ORdeR fOR RetaileRS in kSa tO Remain COmpetitive in tHe RegiOn?
It’s an exciting time for retail in Saudi Arabia, as our service industry is not yet as developed as that in Europe or the US. This means that there are opportunities just starting to open up now for training and careers that will raise the standard of retail service throughout the Kingdom to an international level. WOuld yOu Say tHat tHe tRanSitiOning tO a mORe lOCal talent pOOl HaS alReady been aCHieved? if nOt, WHat dO yOu tHink needS tO be dOne fOR tHe Retail faSHiOn induStRy tO Have mORe tRained SaudiS in tHe induStRy?
Transitioning to a local talent pool is a lengthy process in any country and Saudi is no different. More investment is needed by all companies to ensure that Saudis and frankly all employees receive training
Some of the glamorous gowns.
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tHe luxuRy faSHiOn Segment iS pRediCted tO Remain a StROng maRket in tHe middle eaSt. HOWeveR, tHeRe iS SpeCulatiOn tHat SaudizatiOn, COnSeRvative buSineSS pRaCtiCeS, and laCk Of tRained/expeRienCed Human ReSOuRCeS in tHe Retail induStRy WOuld entail tHat kSa may fall beHind dubai and qataR:
These factors would have a negative impact on an industry anywhere, and countries throughout the region face versions of these issues. Saudi Arabia must continue to address such points to ensure that the luxury fashion sector continues to grow, and have something to offer both those who wish to work in it, as well as those who love to follow fashion and want a world-class shopping experience in the Kingdom.
If you want companies to provide jobs you have to recognize their need for flexibility to grow. Flexibility does not equal a disregard for regulations but it creates a space for creativity to thrive.
on an ongoing basis and can flourish in their chosen careers. You cannot operate a successful business if you segregate your staff into silos, creative industries function best with cohesion. emeRging talentS in tHe COuntRy Have mentiOned tHat pROduCtiOn iS One Of tHe iSSueS tHat HindeR tHeiR SuCCeSS. WHat Can be dOne tO ReSOlve tHiS?
Manufacturing is another area deserving of investment. The investment is not only in setting up the actual manufacturing plant but the full eco-system of a fashion district, as you would find in any capital city. We need fabric shops, pattern makers, seamstress, etc., all in accessible areas where they can create a supply chain.
Harvey Nichols houses Gianvito Rossi among its many Italian brands.Window display for Jason Wu,
exclusively for Harvey Nichols Riyadh.
The beauty section at Harvey Nichols is home to some of the most expensive perfumes and beauty products.
Wafaa Abbar established the building blocks that created Rubaiyat, the fashion empire we know today. In an inspiring conversation with Destination, Abbar outlined her retail philosophy.
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WHat WaS yOuR fiRSt jOb?I started in Abbar Company managing client accounts— in terms of controlling purchase and performing the collection on timely manner — as well as following up on dead debt collection.
WHat iS tHe beSt CaReeR adviCe yOu Have eveR ReCeived?“Patience is a virtue.” With all the studies, the planning and the research, one must have the patience to wait for the right opportunity. Rushing might cause moreloss than gain.
WHat dO yOu COnSideR tHe mOSt SignifiCant mileStOne in yOuR CaReeR?Joining the Rubaiyat business as Ladies and Children manager.
WHen yOu HiRe an emplOyee, WHat iS tHe Single mOSt impORtant CHaRaCteRiStiC yOu lOOk fOR?It is normally a group of characteristics that go together. The weight and the importance of each depends on the position we are hiring for. Attitude and pride in work is at the top. I would also consider honesty a major component of an employee — it is what we call in our culture “fear of God” in every step you take and every task you make. This sums doing your job as should be with no monitoring or supervision because you know God is watching and he only holds you accountable.
WHat iS tHe One pieCe Of adviCe yOu Can give tO up and COming faSHiOn deSigneRS?Design can only be a business if it is paired with good business management. Marketing yourself is good for the short run, management is for the continuity.
Usually designers are creative and artistic people who take pride in what they do and they are extremely sensitive about their design. They will need to find the balance between that and the world of business that is based on reality and mathematical equations. For design to be successful, there needs to be a combination of “right brain and left brain people.”
tHe neW StORe pROvideS exiSting Rubaiyat CuStOm-eRS WitH a neW SHOpping expeRienCe in teRmS Of tHe enviROnment, pROduCtS and SeRviCeS. WHat iS tHat neW expeRienCe and WHat WaS yOuR mOtivatiOn beHind it?Rubaiyat has always been a leader in giving an existing business that little twist to make it stand out in leading the fashion retail in Saudi.
We have a history of being “First Of” steps in men, ladies and kids fashion. Rubaiyat department store is the new step we took in the same direction and the same road map. The experience was a painful pleasure in executing. I hope the clients will enjoy the second part of it, “the
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pleasure,” which is what is intended for them. The pain comes from all the hard work invested in designing, sourcing, producing, importing in addition to all other restrains from various directions. All in all, it was a great experience.
WHat inSpiRed yOu tO Open tHiS neW depaRtment StORe SinCe yOu alReady Had multi-bRand Rubaiyat StOReS?As you and I have said, innovation and novelty that we see that our clients deserve and an opportunity to provide something we felt was missing that we could do well.
WHO deSignS yOuR WindOW diSplayS and WHat guidelineS dO yOu OffeR tHe deSigneR?Rubaiyat department store windows were designed and manufactured in the UK. They were installed by the same company. This is with the close direction of Rubaiyat visual team.
Will yOu be fOCuSing On Opening Stand-alOne bOutiqueS OR mORe depaRtment StOReS?We will always do our best to give the market and our valued customers what is needed within our capability. There is a need for both stand alone boutiques and department stores as they provide different shopping experiences; they complement one another. The direction is the element of surprise that I would like to keep in “Mary Poppins bag.”
tHe neW depaRtment StORe Only OffeRS pROduCtS fOR WOmen. aRe men and CHildRen anyWHeRe in tHe futuRe planS?In Saudi Arabia, women shop in a different way to men, particularly when they shop for themselves, hence the birth of Rubaiyat department store. As and when we notice a change in the trend of shopping in men and kids, we will for sure step in.
tHe pOp-up yOu Had duRing Ramadan WaS a SuCCeSS and pROvided neW lOCal talentS WitH an OppORtunity tO SHOWCaSe tHeiR pROduCtS. aRe yOu planning mORe pOp-upS?Pop-up Store is a tool to enable us to host guests locally and internationally. The idea behind it is to be able to have novelty on a regular basis and create movement at all times.
WHat did yOu lOOk fOR in deSigneRS fOR tHe pOp-up COnCept?The designers were picked carefully based on their reputation, popularity and creativity. We tried to have a wide and diverse variety. I am sure we missed many designers due to Ramadan but we will plan well ahead of time for 2015. We can be contacted by interested companies/designers at [email protected].
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WHat aRe SOme Of tHe biggeSt CHallengeS yOu faCe aS tHe OWneR Of One Of tHe leading luxuRy depaRtment StOReS in tOWn?Recruitment of Saudi ladies is the biggest challenge as working in luxury sales is still new for nationals, particularly ladies. We are working nonstop on training programs in terms of service skills and product knowledge. We are confident we will deliver results and any ladies interested in a career in Luxury Fashion is welcome to contact us at [email protected].
WOmen WORking at Rubaiyat Stand Out due tO tHeiR pROfeSSiOnaliSm in dealing WitH CuStOmeRS. Can yOu tell uS abOut tHe tRaining pROgRam yOu OffeR fOR WOmen and HOW it allOWS tHem tO ReaCH tHiS level Of pROfeSSiOnaliSm? We train out staff internally and they are mentored by experienced team members,
How do you feel about Saudization? How SucceSSful are you implementing tHe ScHeme at rubaiyat?
i prefer to call it nationalization. it is a must in each and every country. the problem we have is, we are just at the beginning and it is known that that is the most difficult part of every change. it is pain we should bare until we start harvesting the result.
as Rubaiyat is a leading company in fashion retail, competitors headhunt our employees. despite that fact, we are maintaining excellent levels of nationalization and we are seeking to recruit more nationals.
many we have for a very long time. However, for the department store, we had to seek a trustworthy and reputable training company. We have selected Wisaal to assist us in training for over 50 ladies.
We HeaRd yOu Had exCluSive deSignS by CeRtain deSigneRS Only fOR Rubaiyat fOR tHe neW depaRtment StORe launCH. iS it tRue? and WHat deSignS dO yOuR deSigneRS OffeR tHat CuStOmeRS Can’t get elSeWHeRe?Some brands created items/color exclusively for the launch occasion.Charlotte Olympia dedicated an exclusive color for one pump shoes -FK- Fragrance Kitchen- by Majed Alsabah created a couple of fragrances exclusively for Saudi Arabia that was launched in the event. Also Pink Camel created two flavors especially for Rubaiyat.
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B U S I N E S S
By Ahmed Almansouri In a society that wasn’t equipped for new emerging brands, Alaa Balkhy was one of the pioneers of this new fashion era in KSA. She is the face behind Fyunka, a brand that is influenced by pop culture with a fashionable aim to spread happiness through its unique customer.
Fyunka is a designer who tussled her way through social stigma and achieved great success from her brand. She graduated from Dar Al Hekma in Jeddah majoring in graphic design. Her love for fashion, illustration and marketing took her to New York City, where she is currently studying for a Design Management Master’s degree at Pratt Institute.
pROfile
Name: alaa balkhyBorN: feb. 14, 1989Place of Birth: jeddah, Saudi arabiahoroscoPe sigN: aquariusfavorite color: tealfears: birds, running out of battery on her phonemotto: everything happens for a reasonmusic: mashrou’ laila, yasmine Hamdanmovie: Caramel, Wes anderson movies
the story of alaa Balkhy tHe faCe beHind fyunka
Can yOu tell me a bit abOut yOuR baCkgROund? I grew up in Canada and was there till I was 9 years old before moving to Jeddah. It was a culture shock. I went into graphic design by mistake. It was a happy mistake. I started working my second year of college until I graduated. I had two jobs. I was a graphic designer at a design agency and an assistant at a local fashion brand. in tHe pROCeSS Of CReating and pROmOting yOuR bRand fyunka, did yOu tHink it WaS pOSSible tO aCHieve tHiS kind Of SuCCeSS?I never promoted, because I never had a business plan. There was no “OK, I am going to start a brand, this is what I want to do.” I wanted to design bags and wanted to see
how it goes. It went very well. I still have pieces that I made 10 from each design that was three years ago. Now I do like a 100-150.
WHat WOuld yOu Say WaS tHe biggeSt CHallenge fOR yOu tHROugHOut tHe WHOle pROCeSS?Honestly, that there was no support. Now it is changing, but when I first started there were local brands, but they were old brands. No one was doing photo shoots for their collections. No one was making ready-to-wear clothing. There was no support from a society point of view. The perception of a local brand was along the lines of “Who is Alaa? She is making
bags in her house? Why is it so expensive?” They didn’t realize that there is a lot that goes into it. Then I tried my best to change it. I wasn’t going to back down. These are the prices, because this is the work I am putting into it. I am not selling the material, I am selling the idea. The ideas are worth something. So why
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We kinda have the same values when it comes to family.
tell me abOut yOuR family.I have three younger brothers and one older sister. My dad is a plastic surgeon and my mom owns a business. She does Hijazi baked goods, its called “Sufra Hijaziyah.” My grandfather is half Malaysian. My great-grandmother was Russian. My grandmother is
would I buy a leather jacket from a designer brand where it costs $3,000 because you are buying the brand, not the material? I worked so hard to create the brand.
SO yOu Said tHat SuppORt WaS laCking fROm a SOCial pOint Of vieW, WaS tHeRe SuppORt laCking fROm a finanCial pOint Of vieW?No, but there was the problem of production. We are not like other countries where people are used to people starting their own business. There are no production houses. I can’t go somewhere and tell them that I want this kind of bag with this color and this amount. I had to figure out a way from scratch, to get this from here and this from here. Get a tailor and train him. Do this, and if it doesn’t work try something else. I never took a course in bag design, but my shapes are so simple. There were no factories accessible to us. Some factories would produce 10,000 bags for you but I didn’t want that.
putting yOuR bRand aSide, WHO WOuld yOu Say iS yOuR biggeSt inSpiRatiOn? I don’t know. I guess … it’s so hard. Obviously you depend mostly on yourself. The reason I created Fyunka is not to depend on anyone. So it is a bit ironic. There are a lot of people I depend on. There is Nada Hakeem, a co-founder of the Loft; we kind of started together. People that started their own brands inspire me. Like for example Razan Azzouni (Saudi fashion designer) inspires me. The girls behind Sotra inspire me. There is a lot and most of them are local. Definitely I am also inspired by Kate Spade. She couldn’t find a bag so she created one. iS tHeRe any COuntRy tHat yOu WiSH tO tRavel tO?Japan. I like how organized they are. I am actually doing a collaboration with Casio and it’s amazing how organized and prompt the people I’m dealing with are. It is fascinating. It is exciting how they are so into their culture.
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from Hadramoot (an area in Yemen) and the rest of my family are from Jeddah.
i Want tO baCktRaCk tO fyunka, HOW did yOu COme up WitH tHe deSignS? HOW did it all StaRt?It was baby steps. The first design I made was from confusion. It was making fun of ourselves. “Baba, I want a Birkin” (Birkin is a handbag by Hermès and costs $9,000) I just came back from Dubai and everyone had it and I was just like it is so amazing that we think we deserve these things. I was just wondering if anyone worked hard for their bag. It was making fun of ourselves. It caught on because it was so true. Everything starts with “Baba, I want…” I was 21, especially at that age. It was not even material things, it was like “Baba I want to go out. Baba I want to travel.” It was making fun of a social issue in a non-direct way.
aRe yOu pORtRaying yOuRSelf in tHe deSignS?Yes, the “Fyunka Girl” is me. It is me, because at the beginning when I started I didn’t want people to know that it was me, so I created this character. I was so afraid of what people would think or say. I wasn’t ready for criticism. I wanted Fyunka to be anonymous, that’s why I created this character.
WHy did yOu CHOOSe tHe name “fyunka” fOR yOuR bRand?I wanted an Arabic name that was very general and was very Hijazi slang. We say Fyunka a lot (Fyunka means bow in
Jeddah slang). I didn’t want it to be bag or something, because I knew it was going to be more than bags later on. I wanted something general. WHat aRe yOuR next StepS in life?I want to graduate from Pratt Institute. I am doing a Master’s in design management. I want to do another Masters in illustration. That is definitely what I want to do. I want to have my own studio.
WHat tHRee WORdS WOuld yOu uSe tO deSCRibe yOuRSelf? Optimistic, calm… (long pause). I can’t think of the word it’s hard to explain it. I have a poker face. I don’t know how you can say that. Or you can say optimistic, calm and quiet.
a fyunka bag or a pouchwith @Destinationryd
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tag @DestinationRyd @Fyunka #Hashtag #FyunkaDR
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all what you need to do is
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“I wasn’t ready for criticism. I wanted Fyunka to be anonymous. That’s why I created this character.”
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Noteworthy Arab BusinessesBy Farah Idrees
al ShayaCEO/President: Mohammed Abdulaziz AlshayaDate Founded: 1890Headquarters: KuwaitProducts: - Fashion and Footwear- Food- Health & Beauty- Pharmacy- Optics- Home Furnishings- Leisure and entertainment
rubaiyatCEO/President: Wafaa AbbarProducts:- Perfumes- sunglasses- scarves- Hair/Beauty care Products- sweets- Luggage- Hand Bags- shoes- Accessories- clothing Brands- swimwear - nightwear
al hokairCEO/President: Fawaz Al HokairDate Founded: 1989Brands include:- Wallis- Bershka- Jennyfer- suite Blanco- nine West- stradivarius- Miss selfridge- Zara- Aldo
JamJoom CEO/President: Kamal Osman JamjoomDate Founded: 1987Brands include:- nayomi- Mikyajy- The Body shop- early Learning centre (eLc)- Mihyar- neal’s Yard remedies- nayomi Beauty salon- soiree- Jamjoom Decoration- nayomi Abaya
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KsA's FAsHiOn By Bassma Al Toaimi and Jou Pabalate
10HALA sABBAGHFashion Designer
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? The name Lychee comes from an exotic fruit, which I find fascinating from its mix of taste to its shape, very versatile just like my brand. My designs are created for that fashion forward savvy woman who isn’t afraid to experiment with bright colors and shapes, just like the fruit.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?Women: A statement dress, printed pants, an item with see-through details and a pair of Zara heels.men: Well that’s a tough one, but I guess a cool shirt and the right shoes will do just fine.
Instagram: @lycheebyhalasabbagh
HALA AL HAriTHY Image consultant/Stylist
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?I’m a mother of two amazing boys. I've studied and lived most of my life abroad in the US. I've been interested in fashion from a very young age and learned most of what I know from my beloved and super stylish mother may she rest in peace. I've been styling and shopping for my friends and family for years then decided to take it seriously about a year ago where I finished a course at the Sterling Style Academy based in New York. And ever since then styling has been my life, after my family, of course!
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?A great pair of jeans, a nice white top, nude or black heels that work with everything, and statement pieces (accessories or bags).
Instagram: @hala_alharithy
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MAZin AL MAiMAniFashion Editor
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?I’m a full-time graphic designer, but since I was 11 I’ve been shopping for myself. With time, I started loving how you can have your own style yet keep experimenting and updating it. Also, working with the magazine I got a chance to experience working as a fashion editor and in the past I’ve enjoyed styling a few photo shoots.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?men: Denim (that fits perfectly), slip on shoes and sunglasses. Women: I can say things that should not be there, and if they are should stay in the closet while in Saudi, no boots please (it’s almost summer all year long!). No leather pants or tops (again, it’s almost summer all year long!) and please throw away all of your Crocs – it’s 2014.
Instagram: @mazin
MisHAeL AL rAJHiFashion Designer
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? I’m the head designer for couture fashion line Mishael Al Rajhi. It’s bespoke evening luxury wear for women. I’m also the founder of MICCI & MISHI.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?White shirt, black dress and jeans. Also a jacket or blazer to add some layer to their style.
WHO’S YOUR FASHION ICON?Rihanna, Audrey Hepburn, Cara Delevigne, Kristen Stewart and Olivia Palermo.
WHAT’S YOUR FASHION PET PEEVE?When people wears things that don’t fit them right.
Instagram: @mishaelrajhiMA
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TO THeir BODY sHAPe.”
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DALAL ALHASAN Fashion Designer
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? DALAL ALHASAN comes from a fantasyland based in the purple zone. This world was built by my emotions, actions and inspirations over the years. My designs take you to a journey parallel to the stars. This journey shares my thoughts and imagination that are translated in my seasonal collections of contemporary, innovative and fun ready to wear.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?Accessories, a precious piece whether it is a family heritage or a travel founding.
Instagram: @dalalhasanofficial
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HAifA fAHADFashion Designer
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS?I am currently working on two very distinct fashion labels. The first one is YOYO, which is a young avant-garde and innovative ready to wear line. I also have a luxury haute couture line under my name HAIFA FAHAD.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?Black dress.
WHO’S YOUR FASHION ICON?I love avant-garde designers, people who make me think about how a piece was made. I love designers with creations that are intricate yet elegant, fashion game changers; like Lacroix, Galliano, Stephane Rolland and Rick Owens.
Instagram: @haifafahad
“mY fASHiON iCON iS mY
mOTHeR’S '80s wARDROBe.”
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reeM ABBArFASHION ENTREPRENEUR/DESIGNER
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? Amina Atelier is a unisex casual wear brand made in Jeddah combining a mix of ethnic inspiration with contemporary fashion. I do one collection a year that is launched during the holly month of Ramadan. For each collection I offer a collectable charity item that reflects the story of the collection and proceeds are donated to a chosen local organization in line with the theme of the product. The brand is dedicated to Dada Amina, a family member who passed away a long time ago. She was a hard working and charitable woman who loved to sew during her free time. Growing up my cousins and I would visit her in her room for some tea on occasional afternoons. I recall it was packed with knickknacks that she had collected over the years, along with pillows and tissue box covers that she had sewn. We’d tiptoe inside her colorful room with amusement admiring her collection while she warned us of some of her missing sewing needles. She had lots of character, warmth and kindness and was an influential figure in my childhood may her soul rest in peace.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?Abayas, thobes, sandals and sunglasses.UPCOMING TREND YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?Post-Apocalyptic Gypsy
WHO’S YOUR FASHION ICON?I don't have a particular fashion icon, I muse over a lot of creatives that I find inspiring.
WHAT’S YOUR FASHION PET PEEVE?When the mass majority goes crazy over a trend, disregarding their individuality and resembling a flock of sheep. Also pointless trends like the “Mustache” print, accessories and homeware.
Instagram: @aminaatelier
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FOr nexT seAsOn.”
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ALAA ALGHUFAILIACCESSORIES DESIGNER
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? I always loved unique and unusual things, throughout my research over local market items that are designed by local designers. Most of what I have found were machine-based and unnatural and have no cultural background accessories and fashion pieces, as an architect and Saudi-oriented person, that frustrates me, here the idea of “Aghuph” has come by, a hand-made, culture-based, more feminine and elegant and classy from the prospective of the Saudi culture.WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW? I’m working on clutch bags and some other cool stuff that are inspired from the Islamic geometric, so stay tuned. UPCOMING TREND YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?Urban fashion trend that cocooned the body and added attitude at the same time.
WHAT’S YOUR FASHION PET PEEVE?Showing off top brands patterns from head to toe.
Instagram: @a_ghuph
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TEE SAUDIFASHION DESIGNERS
WHAT’S YOUR BRAND AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGNS? We're three cousins, Ayya, Talal and Lubna, who decided to start a t-shirt project to encourage local art. Our brand, Tee, focuses on printing art designed by local young artists on high-quality t-shirts. Our designs are youthful, fun, and a lot of them are related to our Arabic culture.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET?Abaya and thobe. A nice Tee shirt won't hurt either ;)
WHAT’S YOUR FASHION PET PEEVE? Socks and sandals. Birkenstocks especially. Please make it stop.
Instagram: @tee_saudi
DArEEn ALYAwArIMAGE CONSULTANT/FASHION STYLIST
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE ESSENTIAL PIECES IN EVERY SAUDI'S CLOSET? As a Saudi woman you need a good classic black abaya, trendy abaya, white shirt and a pair of right fitting jeans. As a Saudi man you need a classic thobe with a fine cut plus you need good shoes that go perfectly with any thobe, good jeans that fit very well and white tee for our summery days.
UPCOMING TREND YOU’RE EXCITED ABOUT?I actually can’t wait for the new trendy stripes that will kill the market. The futuristic techno-color flowers, the knee length shorts, the Boho chic look and Cruise 2015 is going to kill it.
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FOREVERYOUnG With Your Dream ClosetBy Yara BanaEvery girl dreams of the day she’ll be old enough to have her very own glamorous closet just like in the movies. However, as this little girl blossoms into a grown woman she realizes that the picture-perfect closet she dreamed of is the hardest thing to maintain and is quite farfetched.
1. Before starting any organizing process the first thing to do is to get rid of any unwanted clothes or clothes that are no longer your size. Many women feel the need to keep their things because of their value later. The best thing to do in this case is to put all the pieces you’re keeping but not currently using into air compressed bags.
2. Now that you’ve emptied your closet and got rid of all the unwanted items, you can start working out how you want your layout. Some women prefer a lot of hangers, while others have more items that need boxes instead of hangers. That’s why a good plan can only be
identified by you since your personal things are different than everyone else’s. Try to estimate the number of dividers and the right sizes for your closet, then run out to the nearest store and buy some.
3. Now start fitting everything based on its category into a place where it fits best. The best piece of advice is to keep the things used most often at the front and the least at the back. For a final touch, hang some scented fragrance enhancers into your closet for fresh clothing at all times.
DIY SUnGLASSES
You want to re-style your sunglasses instead of buying ridiculously expensive new ones? Here are some ideas!
ADD A BIT OF FLORALYou will need:• Mod podge or super glue• Toothpick• Plastic or fabric flowers BEAD THE SIDESYou will need:• Any type of permanent glue• Small beads
ADD PAINT OR GLITTERYou will need:• Spray paint, nail polish, glitter glue, etc.• Tape• Popsicle stick• Nail filer
By Nada Megbil
This is for all the young girls inside every one of us that yearns for a flawless closet full of couture dresses and stilettos. No matter how much space or organizing experience you’re lacking, this is going to make you understand the simplest tricks for getting the organized wardrobe of your heart’s desire.
4. As for the outer appearance of your dressing room, try making it seem like it’s specially dedicated to your inner fashionista.Add decorations using some old fashion items like lipsticks or perfume bottles or even hang some fashion magazine covers in some old picture frames making it appear like the ultimate dress-up room.
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No dress-up experience is complete
without some good old speakers for
confidence boosting runway songs.
Invest in a good set of speakers for your dressing room. It has
been proven that people feel more
confident with music playing.
For small spaces, using organizing cubes or bags are the best way to get the most
usage out of a small area. Use all the space that could possibly be used! Add organizer bags to the inner part of the closet door. Or maybe even try double
shelving for more storage space.
HANG SHOES
ADD A MIRROR BAGS
PANTS
LONG DRESSES
Your vanity is also a part of your closet.
So whatever mentioned here
also applies to your makeup and hair-care
products. For your vanity you can spice it up a bit by adding lights, mirrors or any
other sort of decorative accessories of
your preference.
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DON'T: Use your high limit credit card. This is overused information but I figure the hassle of canceling the charges and theft is worth issuing the warning again.
DO: Use a verified payment website like Paypal or Escrow and a low limit credit card, especially when buying from an unknown website or seller. It’s easy as pie to make an account (easy as eating pie, mind you. Making pies a whole other story).
DON'T: Stick to one website. Yes, Amazon or Overstock
LAZY SHOPPINGTips for navigating the odd and wonderful world of
By Johara Al MogbelOnce upon a not very long time ago, the Internet was invented. And since humans have
loved money since the creation of currency, they immediately looked for a way to profit off it. One of these ingenious (and occasionally odd) ways, as we all know now, was to make
it so people could sell off things like cornflakes shaped in Ronald Reagan’s image and all in a digital transaction.
It was an instant hit as people generally like buying things and are lazy about it. However, as is the case with all wonderful creations, online shopping came
with its own pitfalls and dangers. Here are a few do’s and don’ts I’ve learned over the years (and a few dozen of packages after).
might have everything under the sun but that’s the best thing about shopping on the interwebs, you have so many choices open.
DO: Compare prices between websites. Sometimes a dress you like on Bloomingdale’s will be on sale in Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom or Saks Fifth Avenue. Check prices between the sellers themselves on a marketplace website like Etsy or Amazon’s marketplace too, or between the same store specified for two different regions (like US Amazon or UK Amazon, for example). Speaking of which …
DON'T: Always stick to shipping to Saudi Arabia, even if the store offers it. Some websites (like Neiman Marcus) immediately add an unexplainable SR 200 surplus to the prices when you switch to the KSA-oriented website. Sometimes it’s just cheaper to ship to a post office box. Yes, I know. Shipping is the devil’s spawn. We’ll get two-day shipping … someday.
DO: Find websites that offer free shipping to Saudi Arabia, like bookdepository.co.uk or Asos. Yes, I know. There’s still magic in the world. It’ll
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help you save a bit, if you don’t consider that extra bookshelf you have to put in now that free book shipping to KSA is a real thing. Also, do register your house for an official address at the Saudi Post. For a yearly subscription, they’ll deliver your packages straight at your door as soon as a package filters through. Less hassle, less mashaweer, and you get a mailman! With a mail truck! You’re welcome.
DON'T: Be afraid to wander into the world of Chinese resellers. Most of the new Saudi Instagram clothing home businesses are buying directly from China at low prices then doubling and quadrupling the price.
DO: Be careful. Again, make sure the online marketplace you’re using, like Aliexpress for example, insists on escrow or PayPal being used in your transaction.
DON'T: Bid on auction items if there’s a few days left till its end. That just drives the bid up you’ll almost always be outbid (probably by me if it was that 12-pound Praktika Nova. Sorry, I’m not sorry).
DO: Wait until the last possible minute, and then bid. Make sure your browser isn’t freezing up, or your Internet connection hiccupping because this will be a fight to the death, mark my words. (I’m looking straight at you, Wi-Fi, that lost me the perfectly priced Judith Leiber. Argh).
By Zareen MuzaffarLet’s check out some of the most popular fashion blogs
and bloggers around:BAG SNOBVisit Bag Snob and check out the recommendations by Tina Craig and Kelley Cook. snobessentials.com
MAN REPELLERTwenty-four-year-old Leandra Medine is the brain behind this popular fashion blog. manrepeller.com
CuPCAKES AND CASHMEREEmily Schuman’s blog is not just about fashion, it features
FaSHiON NERDS Who Know BetterTHaN YOU
iNTERESTiNG FashionApps
By Dona Paranayil
POSE – Pose provides us with personalized styling ideas.
WALK IN MY CLOSET – Also allows us to sell items we don’t want anymore.
THE FIND – One of the best!
FASHION KALEIDOSCOPE – Street-style fashion app.
WINK N POUT – Get your own personal stylist.
ideas on DIY, food, decor, beauty and more. cupcakesandcashmere.com
AIMEE SONG, SONG OF STYLEAimee Song is known for creating bold but laid back looks and her site garners 4 million monthly views. songofstyle.com
WENDY’S LOOKBOOKCheck out some of the trendiest outfits, shoes, stylish advice and color schemes on Wendy’s Lookbook. wendyslookbook.com
FASHION TOASTA traveler and a fashion blogger, great combination isn’t it?fashiontoast.com
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THE EYE BEHIND
By Bassma Al ToaimiThere’s more to a fashion photographer than just owning
a camera, dressing up some models and taking shots. Fashion photography is an art that is only mastered by lensmen (and women!) constantly learning new styles, poses and technology. Here are some of our favorites.
Keep these pages handy for your next photo shoot!
THECAMERA
a R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T
MOHAMMED AL DEGHAISHIMWith Deghaishim it started out as a hobby in 2009, then in 2012 he quit his career in HR to become a full-time photographer.
MOKHTAR CHAHINEMokhtar is one of the best photographers in town not only because of his ability to capture beautiful photos, but also for his friendly and approachable personality.
Thobe by Lomar and Degla by Toby by Hatem Al AkeelDestination Fashion Photo Shoot
Destination Fashion Photo Shoot - Sotra
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G u e s t E d i t o r : H a a l a A l K h e r e i j i
brand spotlight
alEXandEr WangAt just 30, California-born Alexander Wang has reached new heights in the fashion industry, more than any at his age.
The originally Taiwanese designer was still a sophomore at Parsons The New School for Design in New York City, when he launched his eponymous label in 2005. He was quickly recognized for his model-off-duty, urban-cool, chic and insouciant designs, yet with sleek and sharp bodycon tailoring.
In 2009, the designer (also known as the “T-shirt master”) launched T By Alexander Wang; his diffusion line was born as a representative of the core elements and everyday basics that his costumer needed.
Whether it was his first or second line, with every collection, Wang always reinvents and pushes forward his basic design elements such as sportswear. Every piece in his recent collections was in his first ready to wear collection, except in a different form or shape.
This was applied to his debut collection for Balenciaga. On Nov. 30, 2012. Women’s Wear Daily announced that Alexander Wang was named the new creative director at Balenciaga, succeeding Nicolas Ghesquière.
All eyes were on the young designer; fashion critics were waiting to see if he would live up to their expectations, and indeed he did.
Currently Alexander Wang and T by Alexander Wang are available exclusively at Rubaiyat Derpartment Store.
“ I ThInk eveRyone ShAReS A feAR of fAIluRe–ThAT you'Re only AS gooD AS youR moST ReCenT ColleCTIon. ThAT'S DefInITely A feAR, buT IT'S A feAR ThAT fuelS me, ThAT mAkeS me WAnT To WoRk hARDeR, ThAT mAkeS me TAke on moRe ChAllengeS.”
“I'm going back to the roots, identifying the codes of the house, and translating them into a functioning, full wardrobe,” Wang said.
After digging through the old archives of the French fashion house, the designer delivered a modern take on the signature silhouettes of Balenciaga.
“Each piece is up for interpretation, it’s up for everyone to make their own. That’s what I love, and that is what I enjoy,” he said.
Alexander Wang flagship Store, nyC
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F a S H i O N & S H O P P I N G
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F a s h i o n E d i t o r : M a z i n A l M a i m a n i
Don't stomp your little last season Prada shoes
By Stella McCartney
SR 3,250
By Nicholas K
irkwood
SR 2,500
By Nicholas Kirkwood
SR 2,150
By Miu Miu
SR 2,200By A
lexan
der W
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SR 3,
110
By Pierre Hardy SR 3,100
By Christian Louboutin SR 2,900
By Lanvin SR 3,400
By Saint Laurent
SR 4,150
gEt yourshoEs
right, baby
did you think half of thE prEsEntEd shoEs arE for mEn? WEll, you'rE Wrong. apart from thE fact that you fEEl likE oWning thEm just for hoW cool and fabulous thEy look, thEy can lift your daily outfit to a morE fashionablE (somEtimEs, morE profEssional or prEsEntablE) lEvEl.
try it
with + +
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if you're unfamiliar with raw denim, it's the type of denim that feels rough like a stone. that is because all basic denim has been treated, especially the very faded ones (different washing techniques, chemicals, etc). as much as raw denim feels uncomftable the first few wears, later it'll develop it's fit according to your movement and your body shape. you can find raw denim easily, but our own personally tried favorites are by: apc, acne studios and nudie jeans.
somE interesting diy Washing EffEct tEchniquEs:1 let the denim get dirty, and we mean really really dirty (for as long as you can), when you've given up give it a first wash (dry clean prefered), followed by another wash in which you will finally soak the jeans for an in hour in water mixed with woolite black — a denim washing detergent — or you can search for anything similar- rinse it, roll it in a towel and hang it up to dry.
2 there's another technique, which has not been tried personally yet. this also requires for you to wear your denim the maximum time possible, but instead of a wash, put your denim on and go swimming in the sea/ocean (yes this is not a joke!), rub your jeans in some dry sand. repeat until the desired fade/wash has been achieved.
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Prices vary from SR 150 up to SR 345
G O O D Sd a m a g e d
if you're an artist ignore what we're about to say. if you're like all other normal people, instead of ripping your jeans we'd suggest buy one that has been ripped and aged perfectly! guys selection is from topman, girls selection is from topshop. yes highstreet fashion does look good!
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KHALeejI THObe E S S E n T I A L S
By Mohammed Al SaadounThe thobe (Arabic: ALA-LC: thawb) Even though I’m a local and have worn the thobe as a uniform to school most of my life, I never realized the vast range of thobe cuts among neighboring countries.
Collarless:- UAE: The doorbell thobe. It’s
collarless with a long loose tassel at the front covering the buttons and no shirt pocket. Many locals also wear their headdress as a bandana.
- Oman: The most notable difference is in their headdress; instead of a shemagh, they wear an embroided cap known as a kummah. Their thobe is collarless with a short loose tassel above the chest and to the side with no shirt pocket.
Two Tassel iqal:- Qatar: The most notable
difference is in their headdress; their iqal has two draping tassels that I like to call tea bag halo. Their collar is buttonless.
No Shirt Pocket:- Kuwait: Their thobe displays
a one button shallow collar and the norm is no shirt pocket.
the Differences of gCC thobes- Bahrain:No comment…I’m kidding; their thobe usually displaysa shirt collar.
- Saudi Arabia:Cuff links are known as a dominant feature and a 2-button collar with a shirt pocket included.
F a S H i O N & S H O P P I N G
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- The Sabha or Islamic Prayer Beads
Now available in the form of a digital ring, the traditional beads are what the fashion industry calls a capsule item. At weddings and festivities, men have mastered the art of dancing with it, similar to people dancing to modern day Tango with a rose.
- The Infamous SunglassesStay alert jet-setters, as this phenomenon mostly takes place at airports! Whenever you notice a Khaleeji with sunglasses indoors at the waiting lounge, be sure he is wearing them to check out some eye candy incognito. Hypothetically, Superman was worse with x-ray vision.
- The Saudi SandalsWe are known for our ne’aal (also called madas in other provinces) due to its distinctive style. They are very popular in summer seasons. Though today’s youth have taken the simple game of sliding in the rain to extreme sandal skating, which could easily develop to become our new national sport.
• indispensible Add-Ons What all thobes have in common are these Three elements: a shemagh, an iqal and a white cap (taqiyah). For Saudis, I will add a fourth on — Starch. These indispensible add-ons are necessary to complete the formal look.
The headdress comes in two colors; a patterned red-white combination or plain white. Little do people know that the plain white headdress indicates that the gentleman is married, while the red-white patterned one shows that the suitor is still single and ready to mingle. Fact or fiction you might ask, well that is a small fib I like to play on newcomers to Saudi Arabia.
However, the true story behind the red-white patterned shemagh is that the Ashraf wanted to differentiate themselves from the rest of the tribes as a ruling dynasty of Al-Hijaz, so they designed the red-white combination replacing the original black-white combination disused locally but still used widely across Palestine and Iraq.
Even more so, the ghutrah (plain white headdress) comes in two forms; patterned and plain. There are two patterns across both the ghutrah and shemagh in which it represents the region. The waves represent our natural landscape’s sand dunes, while the connected dots are actually influenced by the British houndstooth monogram.
Key takeaways: - Oman and UAE are the
only collarless thobes- Qatar’s iqal has two tassels
hanging from it- Kuwait thobes usually have
no shirt pocket.
We recommend:• #Hammudrecommends 30th street for tailored thobes and souq al andalus for ready-
to-wear thobes.• #Hammudrecommends open-ended sleeves to have cool air circulate inside your
thobe while driving.
Youtube: search for sandal skating http://youtu.be/thkJ5Uhggfw
• Modern Day Adaptations of Classic essentialsThe iqal AKA The Black HaloIt was originally designed to hold the headdress in place and was a symbol of luxury and aristocracy. As it comes in different sizes, flexibility and material, it has been adapted creatively for other uses.
1. My aunt uses them to tie gift items wrapped in Yemeni headdresses.
2. Some parents used them for spanking.
3. Others might have used them as boomerangs to retrieve dates (just saying).
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1. Fold the scarf in half diagonally to create a triangle, and rest 1/3 of the scarf over one shoulder.
2. Loop the longer end around the front of your neck.
3. Drape the rest over your other shoulder and adjust as needed!
The Basic Loop
3. Wear the bow centered down the front or swung over to the side!
Bow-Tie Cutesy Timeless
1. Take the same long piece and drape around the back of your neck.
2. With the ends at the front simply tie a loose bow, adjusting so that the knot is tight and the loops are full.
5WAYS TO TIEA SCARFBy Dona Paranayil
HIJABI Must-Haves
By Yasmine Abu HalawaI love shopping, but as a Hijabi, it can
sometimes drive me insane. I learned how to narrow the basics down so that I look
stylish every time!
HERE ARE MY TOP HIJABI’S MUST-HAVES, TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TOO.
1. Scarves / 2. Turbans3. Bold Prints / 4. Accessories
5. Maxi Skirts & Dresses6. Blazers & Cardigans
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The Faux Knot
Loop Knot
Rectangle Knot
1. Create the long, thin shape from Step 2 of the Loop Knot.
2. Drape it around your neck towards the front, with one end slightly longer than the other. Take the longer end and tie a loose knot halfway up.
3. Tie the remaining ends in a loose knot. Leave the knot exposed just below the loop or tuck it up underneath so only the ends show.
3. Take the shorter end from your other shoulder and slide it through the loose knot. Tighten the knot and adjust as needed.
3. Take the ends and tie them in one loose knot, swing the knot around to one shoulder. Easy!
1. Fold the scarf in half, creating a rectangle.
2. Drape the scarf across the back of your neck and bring the ends to the front.
1. Fold the scarf into a triangle.
2. Loop the scarf around your neck entirely, with the ends coming back to the front on each of your shoulders.
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Fashion BlundersTHE DON’TS OF FASHION
BAD FIT:Don’t plan for the future with your clothes. Buy only what fits you in the present. If you don’t have fit you don’t have style! Wearing a tight piece of clothing is going to make it very difficult for you to breathe, while ill fitting dress is highly unflattering. One-size fits all is never going to create your personality. Customize you dress according to your fit.
OVER-ACCESSORIZE:A woman is wearing a classy gown with beautiful and intense embroidery at the top and the bottom, while she is killing the elegance of the dress with her heavy necklace and long earrings. It’s a disappointment. Don’t be a jewelry shop ladies! When you are wearing a heavy dress, go for lighter jewelry.
JEANS OVER JEANS:Jeans are nothing new, but there is always a style to it if properly worn. There are some who commit a blunder by wearing a denim shirt with denim jeans looking highly unflattering.
DIRTY SHOES:Hairstyle, done! Makeup, done! Dress, done! Shoes, done? Whether man or woman, they take proper time to get ready from head to toe. Everything needs to be in perfect order, but when it comes to shoes – yes they match with the dress, but are they clean? Too many people overlook this area of wearing clean shoes or sandals for that matter. Stylish people always keep their footwear clean and free of scratch and dirt!
EXCESSIVELY BUTTONED UP:Most of the times in official business meetings, gatherings, and seminars men are often confused about their jacket or coat buttons. They either fasten every button, finding it hard to sit in a comfortable posture, or leave them open and feel rough and casual while standing. The key is to close only the top button or top and middle buttons while leaving the third one open. It’s a tradition going on for a long time that gives a smart look.
By Nisma RafiqBack in the day when guys wore suits and ties as casual
wear and women never thought of leaving the house without a hat and gloves, there were fashion rules to live by. Today,
we have Madonna to thank for underwear as outerwear, Cyndi Lauper for wearing every color in the rainbow at the
same time and Ryan Gosling for torn, dirty t-shirts as some kind of fashion statement.
Fashion keeps changing, but there are some fashion’s timeless classics that remain constant and if you fail
to follow them, then Oops! You are committing a fashion blunder.
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SAUDI HERITAGE: An inspiration for fashion designer
By Nagmani Talents from Saudi Arabia, be it male or female, are making waves in the fashion world in different ways. They are bringing on their own indigenous elements to fashion dominated by the so-called Western paradox. And the best part is that it appeals to the fashion fraternity as they are always on the lookout for something distinctive in style.
One such innovative individual is Riyadh-based fashion designer Arwa Al Ammari, founder of ArAm and winner of Grazia Style Award for Emerging Talent, March 2014.
LEARnInG THE ART OF FASHIOnAmmari studied public policy, planning and financing and holds a Master’s degree from London School of Economics and Political Science in addition to an MBA from University of Leicester, UK. But she dug into the artistic genes that she inherited from her parents who also have an artistic side in their heart and soul.
To establish a foothold in the fashion industry, she joined a French fashion school “ESMOD” to study fashion design in its entirety. “The courses that I did earlier along with my passion for arts also shaped up my artistic vision and taste,” she says.
WHAT MAKES ARAM STAnD OUT?Since the launch of her brand
Arwa Al Ammari
ArAm a year ago, it has succeeded in influencing the KSA women’s proclivity for fashion in a big way. Describing what makes her designs stand out, she said, “My brand has four elements that give them an advantage. The designs are feminine, classy, contemporary and memorable. With this mantra by my side, I’m aiming to bring back or showcase femininity in a contemporary and classy form by cuts and color combinations that are just catchy and memorable.”
HER LATEST COLLECTIOn“ ‘Tea Time at ArAm’ ” is inspired by traditional English tea parties flavored with a hint of the ’50s and ’60s styles and all the magic of wonderland tales.”
HER InSPIRATIOnS“My greatest sourcesof inspiration are travel, architectural and historical landmarks, and art pieces,” she says. “I’m moved by paintings and sculptures. I absorb the natural sceneries; assimilate the color combinations and
Arwa Al Ammari, founder of ArAm and winner of Grazia Style Award for Emerging Talent, March 2014.
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preferences of different societies and all of these along with other cultural aspects such as music and heritage get reflected inmy designs.”
When it comes to fabrics and colors, she makes sure they really gel well with the theme of her collection. As she puts it this way, “Personally I like strong colors that have a statement.” Her heritage plays an important role in her work. Without it, it would sound completely hollow. She feels it has added a spark to her fashion careera great deal.
“At the end of day, fashion design is about a way of expression. It reflects who I am to a certain extent. Where I come from, where I lived, the society surrounding me, my culture, and other elements all of this have impact on the way I design,” she says. “It’s this blend that you can see in my fashion design. It’s also this experience that shapes up my career.”
HER TOP CELEBRITIES AnD HER TAKE On ARAB WOMEn’S TASTEShe would like her designed pieces to shine on a fashion icons who meet her fashion dreams. They include Sheikha Moza, Carla Bruni, Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker and Lupita nyongo.
“Arab women are picky when it comes to their looks. They pay attention to details, they spend lots of time and effort on their appearance and they are fashion consumers of international brands.”
However, she admits, sometimes they are overdoing it. You don’t have to be dressed in designers’ brands from head to toe to look fashionable, or wear the same heavy makeup for work, shopping and evening.
“I’m not stereotyping,but I’ve seen many cases that push you to speak up,” she says.
nEW PRODUCTS BY ARAMAs the brand gets recognized, she will be bringing other items on board like leather goods but particularly shoes. She wants ArAm to be seen as an international brand. “This is what I’m planning to reach over the coming five years.”
“I am aiming to bring back or showcase
femininity in a contemporary and classy form by cuts and color combinations that are
just catchy and memorable.”
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It is not called a #selfie anymore, it’s now a #HisyPix! Place your phone down and step back up to 90 feet, pose with your friends and Click, Click, Click! You just took the perfect HisyPix! Capture moments by setting your camera mode to video mode and be able to record video from a distance with a single press of a button!Available at izone.
Grey HTC Dot View Case SR 220
HISY SR 99
F A S H I O N & S H O P P I N GF A S H I O N & S H O P P I N G
Function meets form with this dual-purpose smartphone case that offers instant phone access while the case is still closed. Wrap-around protection with flashy dot matrix cover lets you take calls, receive email notifications, schedule reminders, weather updates, and more without even opening the case.Available at wysada.com
Beats By Dre Studio SR 1,349
Beats Studio lighter, sexier, stronger, and more comfortable with precision sound. 20-hour rechargeable battery: The New Beats Studio has auto on/off feature turns off the headphone when you unplug and with the visible Battery Fuel Gauge, you always know how much juice is available.
Available at izone.
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Limited edition Sony luxury Android SmartWatch wristband made with Swarovski elements. SmartWatch makes life easy. If you have an Android smartphone, this is the perfect accessory. Smart Connect lets you decide what happens when you connect your smartphone to any device.Available at wysada.com
MyBunjee Beaded SR 39
Simply clip this MyBunjee Beaded in Black to your jacket, belt loop or bag, to secure any mobile phone, preventing it from hitting the deck. The beaded lead extends to 62cms allowing full usage when clipped into your bag. You’ll never drop or lose your phone again! Fashionable colors black, pink and purple. Designed to fit all phones.Available at wysada.com
There hasn’t been a better-looking iPad pouch than this, which is brought to you from Fyunka. The designer pouch is all you’ll need to protect your iPad from scratches and bumps, besides, lending your iPad the special attention and care it deserves. Designed to perfection, the pouch features quality material and attractive layout, which is just about right for you to flaunt, stylishly! Available at dokkanafkar.com
Nada iPad Pouch SR 150
Sony SmartWatch Swarovski SR 448
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THE DR GUIDEto French dining
in the cityBy Ahmed Almansouri
Bonjour! Why travel all the way to France when the best of France comes to Riyadh? We picked the top French brasseries, bistros and
restaurants in Riyadh for you.
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Ladurée sweets Paul main dish Paul bakery
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Café Le Nôtre(Centria Mall, Olaya St.)An elegant and quite pricey restaurant located on the second floor in Centria Mall. It is known for its desserts (specifically the macaroons) and coffee, but don’t overlook their refreshing and exquisite lunch and dinner menus. Here you can experience the finer things in life and nothing spells luxury like Café Le nôtre.
Le Relais De l’Entrecôte(Almas Plaza, Tahlia St.)This world-renowned restaurant known for its one and only dish, located at Almas Plaza in Tahlia. Premium cut of beef taken from the rib section and fries is the only dish on the menu with a few choices of dessert. Atmosphere is upscale but relaxed at the same time and not too formal.
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outdoor sitting terraces in the city. Don’t forget
to get reservations though.
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Fauchon(Prince Mohammad bin Abdul Aziz Road)Recently opened in Riyadh, Fauchon is known for its French gourmet food. It sells products ranging from delicatessen, cakes, pastries, breads and confectionery. Fauchon speaks luxury with its sleek design and grand atmosphere. The café has a gourmet food store and a gift shop. It also has a coffee bar counter, where the barista prepares all drinks in front of you. Definitely A must try for people who appreciate French gourmet food!
Appétit Kitchen(Al Louloua Center , Tahlia St.) Exquisite design and atmosphere that could only be influenced by Paris. It has a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. In the entrance a sparkling chandelier and vintage French newspapersand books will greet you. Food made with a traditional method and a wide variety to choose from. Make sure you leaveroom for dessert!
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Paul (Tahlia St.)The French chain is a hit in Riyadh. Its atmosphere resembles living rooms with posh chairs, sofas, paintings and chandeliers. If you come as early as 9:30 a.m. on a Friday, you will find the place packed. They offer three different sets of breakfast accompanied with a hot beverage, orange juice and your choice of a pastry or omelet. Paul stands out as a great atmosphere and ideal for breakfast.
Ladurée (Centria Mall, Olaya St.)Ladurée is known worldwide for having the best macaroons there is. Macaroons are meringue-based French confection that comes in many different flavors like raspberry, coffee, chocolate, strawberry and many more. Besides the macaroons, Ladurée serves breakfast, pastries anda selection of desserts.
DR PICk fOr A PArisiAn breAkfAst!
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THE BOTTOM LInE:
Despite negative reviews on Foursquare, the place is always packed, which goes to show that our locals are bi-polar critics. Surprisingly, tourists flock from around the country to try it.
even if you don’t speak italian, by the end of your espresso at Versus, you will be speaking english with an italian accent.
By Mohammed Al Saadoun With several collaborations, exclusive lines and one hit wonders, cafes and restaurants seem to be a hot topic among fashion houses looking to expand their empire. Among those are Versus by Versace
and Joe's by Joseph. This looks to be the next chapter of Riyadh’s love affair with haute couture.
FAshioNAbLE CAFés V E R S U S & J O E ' S
V E R S U S Strategically located at the heart of Panorama Mall is Versus, the chic café by Versace. When approaching this Italian space, it is hard to miss the velvet ropes and fake bouncer, giving the atmosphere of a VIP section at a club. It is a nice touch for having customers live the moment with paparazzi selfies. The Café, which is opening soon in Jeddah, kept their brand essence of vibrant colors within their cocktails.
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THE GOOD:
Apparently cake, cake, cake is the word! In particular their date cake topped off with Arabic coffee and dips. They also offer vegan sandwiches and serve good quantities. They have been listening to customer feedback and banned children less than 15 years of age to keep the peace.
THE BAD:
The venue is for families only and they do not accept SPAn nor do they provide Wi-Fi. It has been almost a year and they still do not provide packaging to go. I was disappointed to discover no decaf or diet options. Avoid rush hour, which is usually after 8:30 p.m.
Note: in their defense, they do not take reservations due to the function of the venue as a leisure station in an in-mall open space.
Versus raspberry macaroon
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J O E ' SJoe is a swanky corner and a favorite among locals. Opened in June 2013, it was the first franchise outside London. They took localization into consideration by replacing their signature Dennis Cake with Date Pudding regionally. Despite its misleading name, it is in fact a full-fledged restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The business model is an extension to the customer’s journey as the café-boutique concept usually has the store and restaurant side by side or as a double deck.
the highly-rated sticky Date at Joe's
THE GOOD:D-A-T-E-S makes the world go round, according to Riyadhis. Customers are very fond of Joe’s sticky date pudding. Reading reviews, I coughed up feathers as the dish chicken risotto was recommended over and over again. Luckily the food arrives hot and the venue is superb with a relaxed feel to it. Pina colada is a global favorite at this joint. Public Wi-Fi and SPAn are available.
THE BAD:The risotto only comes in yellow sauce due to missing ingredients for the other sauces. WC for men remains outdoors.
Note: reservations are for dinner only.
THE BOTTOM LInE:Their date pudding is a winner. Their bar is a fun place to be but it is only for families. Keep a lookout for the introduction of their afternoon tea and scones this fall. For the mean time, enjoy their French breakfast entrees, served between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Unfortunately both cafés have a long way to go with loyalty programs between correlated stores and cafés.
Now that you have all of the needed information, dress up, look your best,
and we will see you there.
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F A S H I O N S H O WTHE WORLD’S LARGEST CHOCOLATE TRADE SHOW IS CELEBRATING ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR AND IS BACk TO PARIS IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.
By Dona Paranayil The chocolate fashion show showcases a symphony of style and taste. International fashion designers collaborate with chocolatiers of famous brands from various countries all over the world to make stunning and inspiring chocolate dresses that are worn by the models at the show.
Every year the show is held in nearly 16 cities with more than 10,000 visitors and Paris, which is a permanent host of the show witness up to 130,000 visitors in the Viparis Porte De Versailles Pavilion. This year, the fashion show is presenting an amazing retrospective exhibition or the “Anniversary Collection” in which the 150 most beautiful chocolate outfits ever made are revealed. These chocolate wears, though they are mouth-watering, are not eaten but rather preserved for future in a dedicated exhibition.
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During each show, the outfits are to be kept cool, which is vital because these are worn for four fashion shows. The backstage of the show where the models get dressed up is also chilled. If any damage occurs, the chocolatier will be available to make the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
The making of a chocolate costume was revealed in newInZurich.com, where Christa de Carouge collaborated with Angela Jordi at Confiserie Sprungli to create an exceptional chocolate dress for the show in Zurich last year.
The process involves a huge amount of skill, hard work, concentration, pain and patience. It can take up to two weeks to bring out a unique chocolate concoction. The chocolate is melted and used for two things, either to act as glue or to create beautiful designs.
To act as glue, melted chocolate is painted onto the dress and accessories and is further coated with “nougat varnish” to toughen the fibers.
To create a design, the paper is removed from the vat of the melted chocolate once each section of the chocolate is dried. To create a variety pattern, edible gold leaf is applied on top of the dried chocolate.
There is another story of Lauren Smith, a Graduate Fashion Week Gold Award Winner who collaborated with Lindt to make an “Eternal Diamond” dress/ “piece de resistance.” Food artist and Scottish designer Paul Wayne Gregory created the entire dress from 50kg of Lindt, chili and orange segments.
Similarly, Mark Tilling, a master chocolatier, put 10 pounds of chocolate into the creation of Audrey Hepburn inspired outfit and bag.
The chocolate show includes many other activities for children and adults. At the Cocoa show, a conventional form of art, dance and music of countries producing cocoa, is performed. At the Choco Demo, live demonstrations of popular chocolates from chefs and chocolatiers can be seen and the chocolates can be tasted on the spot.
At Chocosphere, visitors can participate in conferences that are conducted to discuss the history of chocolate and health related issues. Other events include the Charles Proust Pastry Competition, the Chocolate Club where the children are in charge, the Chocoland, the Chocolate bookshop and the Chocolate Awards.
Text and Photography by Tharik Hussain “Ssshh!!”My wife and daughters freeze on the spot, as if playing musical statues and someone has just pressed pause. I look at our guide Liton, his index finger to his lips scanning the treetops. Slowly he cups his hands around his mouth and repeats the low howling call he has been making all morning.“oooh – oooow – oooow”Only this time there is an echo from high above and we all smile.
“There, look!” Liton shrieks, pointing up into the roof of the rainforest, where leaves are rustling. “Look Mummy!” 8-year-old Anaiya is a picture of excitement as she points up at a dark face with white rings around its eyes. We are all hoping it is the rare Hoolock Gibbon whose call Liton has been mimicking.
“No that’s the Langur, look he has a tail, the Hoolock is an ape and doesn’t have a tail,” explains Liton as I train my camera lens on the curious visitor.“But the Hoolocks are here, you can hear them,” Liton said,
Bangladesh awaits
UNDISCOVERED, UNTOUCHED AND UNTAMED
T R A V E L T R E N D S
Train through forest
Srimangal town
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pointing to the air and we all crane our ears. Sure enough low howls can be heard followed by screeches, the tell tale signs of the Hoolocks who number in the 60s in this park – the largest group in all of Bangladesh.
It is a bright winter’s morning and we are deep in northeast Bangladesh’s Lawacherra National Park, the wet dew still dripping onto the damp forest floor as the sun slowly begins to warm the day. Local guide Liton in jeans, a blue “puffer-jacket” and a woolly hat looks more like he should be running a market stall somewhere in east London rather than leading
us on a wildlife tour, but this is Bangladesh. Liton is hoping we will catch a glimpse of the rare and critically endangered Hoolock, but so far we have only come across Langurs, which has been just as exciting for us city slickers.
“This is the perfect time of the day to see them, but you have to be very lucky,” said Liton, sounding more disappointed than us that the Hoolocks haven’t put in an appearance.
My two girls and their mother are clearly not as bothered and point excitedly at the growing numbers of Langurs now swinging from the tree tops using their long tails as a fifth limb. Alone in the jungle with the Langurs is exactly the kind of Bangladeshi wildlife experience I had in mind for our family.
The Langurs and Hoolocks make up a wealth of stunning wildlife that can be found in
lush, green Bangladesh, which sits on the northeastern shoulder of India and is effectively the largest river delta in the world. Part of the Gangetic Delta, Bangladesh is like the sinkhole for all the water collected by the Himalayas in Nepal, India and Bhutan. Using the Ganges, Brahmaputra (known as the Padma and Jamuna in Bangladesh) and several smaller rivers this water drains into the sea at the Bay of Bengal. This constant replenishing of the soil also means Bangladesh is one of the most fertile places on earth.
We are in Srimangal, high up in the hills of the northeast and though not affected by rivers in quite the same way, we are a mere 200km from Cherrapunjee in India, the wettest place on earth.
Already we have visited a rubber tree plantation to see the natural process used to collect rubber sap and on our way to the rainforest Liton stopped our brightly decorated green CNG, to point out two eagles basking in the early morning sunshine.
By the time he leads us out of the rainforest – though we didn’t get to see them – we had heard the Hoolocks, come face to terrifying face with giant Orb Spiders; spotted an array of colourful birds and learnt the names of many exotic plants including the Agarwood tree – from where we get incense.
Even as we headed towards our next destination, to meet local Kashi tribal people, we are forced to stop and allow an elderly Macaque to cross the
Lady teapickingNishorgo cottages
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road and join the rest of his huge family! The country is virtually teeming with wildlife.
In spite of this, sadly Bangladesh doesn’t even make it onto the subcontinent’s tourist map, in part because it is flanked by “tourist-sexy” India on one side and temple-heavy Myanmar (Burma) on the other.
Yet, in just one fabulous day, my family and I were treated to all of the above before Liton took us to watch flocks of rare and exotic birds dance over lakes blossoming with lotus flowers; made us trek through fragrant tea gardens set up by the British in the mid-19th century (Bangladesh is the ninth largest producer of tea); introduced us to potters in a hindu village where they still make pots using only manpower, before staring in awe as hundreds of fruit bats awoke at sunset. Finally Liton and my family sat under a starry sky in the Nilkhantha teahouse
to enjoy a legendary cup of the local “seven layered tea.” All of this in just one day and in just one tiny corner of a country still waiting to be discovered by those with a passion for wildlife and a lust for the unchartered and remote. Bangladesh may be young and lacking in the infrastructure and touristic provision of its heavyweight neighbors, but that is also what makes a visit here so attractive. What it lacks in modernity it more than makes up for in friendliness and natural beauty. Awash with water and wildlife, Bangladesh is one of the last remaining countries still untouched by mass tourism, meaning it is also one of the only places you can still enjoy nature all to yourself.
If you decIde to head to SrImongol, here are travel trendS' top tIpS on where to Stay, eat and drInk.
WHERE TO STAYNishorgo Litchibari, Eco Cottages, Radhanagar, Srimongol
We fell in love with these dreamy, idealized treehouse-like bamboo huts, not just because of their beauty and simplicity, but also the brilliant concept of the creator to develop eco-cottages that encourage low-impact tourism while directly supporting the local economy. Nishorgo now have three sites and the eco cottage we stayed in at Litchibari was built hanging off a little green hill that backed into the tops of trees so that
every morning we awoke to the sound of birds inches from our balcony as we sat drinking tea.
WHERE TO EATKutum Bari, Station Road
The name literally translated means “cousin’s home” and the fresh Indian and Bengali curries served in comfortable contemporary surroundings give you a sense of intimacy whilst also bringing you a very professional service. This is the restaurant most frequented by tourists, but as with anywhere in Bangladesh, the numbers are so few that it isn’t a problem.
WHERE TO DRINKNilkhantha Tea Cabin, Ramnagar Road
Run by Ramosh Ram Gour and his son, it is Ramosh who created the headline act, the seven layered tea, an intriguing drink where each layer of tea sits on top of the other without mixing. This includes cinnamon chai, lemon chai, lal chai and several others all in one clever cup in such a way that each layer can be enjoyed without disturbing the other! Only Ramesh and his son know the secret to this, which they guard with their lives. This means every time you place an order, the doors of their kitchen are firmly shut and only opened once the rainbow of browns and caramels is ready to be served.
away from SrImongol, there are Some amazIng wIldlIfe hIghlIghtS too.
Kashi tribal teenagers
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THE AUTHOR:
Tharik Hussain is a freelance travel writer, journalist and photographer living with his family in London, UK. Tharik is a qualified post 16 lecturer of sociology and media studies and also the director of a sixth form center.
Follow him at:www.thewanderingmusulman.wordpress.comTwitter: @_TharikHussainFacebook: TharikHussainUK
wIldlIfe and natural Beauty not to mISS
THE SUNDARBANSLiterally translated as the “beautiful jungles,” these mangrove forests (submerged forests) are the largest of their kind and ideal for a tranquil boating holiday. Also home to two amazing mammals, the Irrawaddy river dolphin and the highly endangered, majestic symbol of Bangladesh itself, the man-eating Royal Bengal Tiger, no trip to Bangladesh is complete without the Sundarbans.
THE CHITTAgONg HILL TRACTSThese ancient rain forested areas offer stunning hill scenery, indigenous tribal cultures and some of the most serene Buddhist monasteries on the Indian subcontinent. The area is a trekkers haven with numerous undiscovered pathways into remote corners of a region seldom explored by outsiders – this really is for the ultimate adventurer.
RIVER LIfEThis is a country where 50 percent of the land is flooded annually and so life and water are intrinsically connected and
thus rivers are not only a key feature of Bangladesh, but also one of the best ways to get to the heart and soul of the nation. From budget options through to luxury historic Bangladeshi boats, you just have to get on a boat, especially as Bangladesh boasts one of the largest populations (6,000) of Irrawaddy dolphins.
TEKNAf gAME RESERVEOne of the Bangladesh’s last remaining pristine rainforests, where virgin evergreen trees line the hills. Teknaf has some amazing trekking routes that could bring you face to face with the reserve’s headline act, the wild Asian elephant.
TOP fIVE WILDLIfE SPOTS1. The olive ridley and green sea turtles (St. Martin’s Island)2. Wild Asian elephant (Teknaf Game Reserve)3. Irrawaddy dolphin (large rivers and Sundarbans)4. Hoolock Gibbon (Lawacharra Forest)5. Royal Bengal Tiger (Sundarbans)
HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPENFlights to Bangladesh from Riyadh are available via most major airlines but only Saudi Airlines and Bangladesh Biman offer direct flights.Trains from the capital Dhaka are the best way to get to Srimangal and cost approximately SR 17 and take between 4-6 hours
Tour guide Liton can be contacted on 00880 1710 994099 and Nishorgo’s Mr Shamsul can be contacted on 00880 1715 041 207 for accommodation.
Liton with tribal girls
Langur monkey
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Stone Town Rijal Alma
In The Valleys of AsirText and Photography by Mohammed Mirza
Strange as the name may sound, Rijal Alma is one of Saudi Arabia’s best keep secrets. Situated at the foot of a valley with a hilly landscape in the background, this heritage village
is almost in the same form as it was centuries ago.
Rijal Alma is rich in history and culture and clearly oriented for tourists. Clinging to the side of a hill and overlooking a sinuous road that once brought spice and incense trade into the interior of the peninsula, the entire village has taken the appearance of a living museum. From the moment we reached the peak near Abha and began our descent the views were astonishing.
The road followed the lines of the mountain with short, straight sections, then hairpin turns. And after every hairpin, a new view reveals itself either of the vast cocoa-colored mountains fading to a hazy blue, bisected by a thin gray road or of the dark ravines that had bits of vegetation growing on them – creating a beautiful color combination. After an eventful
journey we reached the town of Rijal Alma. It was dotted with defensive watchtowers that were sitting at points that were overlooking vast portions of the perilous valley. Once in the town, the signboards guided us straight to the heritage village.
There it was, dark-colored traditional Asiri stone-built houses that had white window brackets and stairs in front of them with the Sarawat mountain range running in its backdrop. The view was
E X P L O R E K S A
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breathtaking; almost like an impressionist painting.The solidly built houses double as mini-fortresses. The relief work on balconies, made from wood gathered from the trees that grow on the hills, cling to the obscure houses. The whole place is constructed in numerous levels, with each level housing a line of historic structures. At the bottom level were supermarkets, handicraft shops and ticket counters. We climbed the uneven steps to the upper levels and went to the onsite museum. It housed articles that the original dwellers of the village used, such as the kind of pottery they stored food in, the clothing they used to wear and the utensils they used. The museum is situated inside a four-story building that has interconnected passageways. The museum shows items of great value passing through, a culture immersed in trade, one that picked up trade goods and elements of foreign culture from travelers as they passed through.
Some areas in the village were blocked by rubble and scaffolding was placed on their pathways. The western portion of the village is in poor condition with some structures only rubble remained whilst others had broken walls revealing the interiors.
We then went to an area that had houses in a better condition, as we went past them we felt a cool breeze that was blowing from their
interiors on a rather hot day. Apparently the material that was used to construct the houses keeps the interiors cool despite the hot weather.
I must say the rather underpriced ticket of SR 10 is worth it for a place of this caliber. This was a great chance to visit one of the most well preserved ones amongst them. Equally importantly, to visit what is by historical standards a considerable architectural achievement and even today a remarkable piece of work filled us with a sense of awe.
TO gET THERE: From Abha head towards Jabal Sawda. From there keep heading straight on to the Abha-Jizan Highway. As soon as the descent begins look on your left for a narrow road that goes down a very steep slope. Proceed on this narrow road with caution as the turns and bends are quite dangerous. Once the decent ends you are in Rijal Alma. Head straight until you reach a roundabout and take a left. Keep heading straight on this road and you will enter a tunnel. Once the tunnel ends take the first left that proceeds it and this road will lead you straight to the heritage village.
NOTE: In case you have difficulty finding the place, once you reach the town of Rijal Alma just ask the locals for directions to the Muthaf (museum).
COORDINATES: 18°12’44.6”N 42°16’26.2”E
Houses on the outskirts of the village
Display in the museum
Newly built pathways
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By Lotifa BegumHow many times did you wake up and think, “what on earth am I going to wear today?” And then find yourself thinking you have nothing to wear, and then get frustrated because of the time you spend thinking about what to wear every morning. We’re going to look at practical tips to organize your wardrobe so you can say goodbye to time wasted on just deciding what to wear.
The above is a scenario I know many of you will share. I like to call it the Muslimah’s wardrobe dilemma, and I’m going to help you sort it out. I know how the whole closet nightmare feels and luckily over the years I learned how to get smart with my wardrobe, so now I can get ready in 30 minutes (including bathroom time).
Look Good, Feel ProductiveEvery Muslimah has her own style or ‘‘look’’ so this article isn’t about style. Rather, it is about using the Top 5 Wardrobe Hacks to get productive and have an organized wardrobe. These hacks have helped me a great deal, and receiving many questions from my sisters asking me how I manage to find some of my wardrobe items, I thought it was time to share my closet secrets.
Wardrobe Hack #1: Organize Clothes Into Compartments
Firstly, to be productive, you have to get that wardrobe organized. Recently my sisters and I invested in a compartmentalized wardrobe, one with a full length mirror and sliding doors that allow you to hang clothes and convenient compartments to organize our clothes.
PRODUCTIVE wardroBe hackS
S P I R I T U A L I T Y
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OUTFITS SUNNA-WISEBy Abeer El SayedSunnahs of Wearing Clothes
To say “bismillah” when putting on and taking off your clothes.
To recite the following supplication when putting on clothes: “O Allah, I ask you of the good and the good of what is to him and seek refuge in You from the evil of what evil is his”
To start wearing your clothes and shoes on your right side (right shoe before left shoe, etc.)
To start taking off your clothes on your left side (left shoe before right shoe, etc.)
The Prophet (pbuh) loved to wear white clothes.
About the Author
Productive Muslimah is a Muslimah who is striving for the highest station in Jannah by making the best of all the resources around her. Sister Lotifa Begum serves as Head of Productive Muslimah at ProductiveMuslim.com. She has gained insight into a wide range of productivity-related issues and has delivered workshops for sisters on issues relating to time management, personal development and productivity. She is passionate about sisters excelling in their pursuit of productivity.
Wardrobe Hack #2: Buy Matching Items
A rule of thumb for me when I go shoppingis never to buy an item that I may not havea matching hijab. Plain colored hijabs seem to be more smart and ideal for matching with other clothing items rather than floral prints, unless you wear them with plain clothes. Personally, some of my favorite colors include purple, teal and pastels, as these are rich colors. But I also like to buy black, navy and beige items, which are suitable for work and can be easily matched with any other color. This can help save lots of time and headache, I assure you. Only for special occasions like weddingsor events do I make an exception to this rule.
Wardrobe Hack #3: Invest in Multipurpose Clothes
This wardrobe hack is very useful and has helped me mix and match items on many occasions. For example, some evening dresses can be worn at both weddings and evening work functions. In my case, I like selecting long sleeve tops that can cover my hands, which can double up to make a modest dress under sleeveless shirts. Another thing I find helpful is long skirts in corporate colors that I can mix and match with different blouses.
COSMETICTrendsUpcoming
By Zareen MuzaffarWhen you take care of yourself, look good and feel good, you automatically exude and invite positive energy. Follow some of the trendiest make up styles and ideas this season and you will feel confident and poised. Head to your nearest mall and pamper yourself.
HIGHLIGHTERS – Highlighters are the best investment for gleaming and glowing skin. Applying a little on the cheekbones, corners of the eye and bridge of nose will give an instant glow to your face. High Beam by Benefit is available at Sephora and this product is sure to bring out radiance on your face. Mac Mineralize Skin finish in Soft and Gentle is another great highlighter for a soft and dewy finish.
SHADES OF RED –Red lips have been around for a while and they will stay this season too. Some of the most trendy red lip colors include Ruby Woo, Lady Danger and Russian Red by MAC. Revlon’s Certainly Red is another beautiful shade of red.
PLAITS –Messy, sleek or bouncy ponytails are classic hairstyles that have been around for the longest time. These days, different kinds of plaits have been seen at most famous fashion walkways. For those with long hair, wrap around fishtail braid is getting extremely popular this year.
GO METALLIC –One swipe of some vibrant shades of metallic eye shadow and you can transform your entire look. Daywear or nighttime plans, metallic eye shadows are popular due to their high pigmentation and range of colors. Estee Lauder’s pure color eye shadow range, YSL 5 color eye palette and L’Oreal offer some vibrant eyeshades this season.
H E A LT H Y L I V I N GB E A U T Y
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LINERS –A thin line, the cat eye, or the smoldering look. Who can go wrong with a black eye liner? Most fashion walkways models have supported a sleek black line this season so go ahead and invest in some black eye liners this fall. Makeup Forever kohl and aqua eyes pencil, Lancome’s Artliner and Benefit Cosmetic’s push-up gel liner are your best bets for beautiful eyes.
STRONG EYEBROWS –Gone are the days of the ultra thin eyebrows. These days women are growing out their eyebrows for a natural look or simply using a brow pencil or gel for the thick look. When done properly, thick eyebrows can be the foundation for a soft beautiful look. Benefit Cosmetics (Sephora) and Body Shop’s brow gel will do the trick and give your eyebrows a great shape.
By Yara BanaEvery woman’s golden goal is everlasting beauty. However, sometimes women lose sight of the idea of being beautiful in their own way, and try too hard to look like someone else. That’s why some of the makeup mistakes below should be avoided:
1. Over-drawn lips
2. Misshaped and over darkened eyebrows
3. Powdery concealer or coverage
4. Using the wrong shade of foundation or concealer
5. Lining your waterline with black eyeliner (When trying to make eyes appear larger this should be avoided)
6. Eye shadowing with too many colors
7. Harsh contouring
8. Improper blending (Applies to eye shadow and facial makeup)
THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF MAKEUP IS TOenhance your natural Beauty AND ACCENTUATE YOUR FEATURES. SO WHEN EVERYDAY MAKEUP BECOMES TOO STRONG AND CHANGES THE NATURAL APPEARANCE, IT NO LONGER SERVES ITS MAIN PURPOSE.
makeUP mistakes
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Now, on the healthy path to eliminating many health-care problems and improving quality of life, you would like your body to reflect how good, healthy and confident you feel. However, despite all the weight you lost, you might be left feeling flabbier and shapeless, with sagging and loose skin around the face, arms, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks and thighs.
Extra skin can limit mobility and cause hygiene and medical problems (such as rashes and sores which can turn into infections), and sometimes
the only way to get rid of the excess skin and improve your shape is through body-contouring plastic surgery.
That said, significant weight-loss resulting from diet and exercise requires more self-control, determination and will power as opposed to taking a shortcut with Bariatric surgery.
Old-fashioned weight-loss done slowly with diet and exercise over a long period of time helps tone muscles and causes less skin sagging; since the fat under the skin gets burned slowly, giving the skin
time to maintain some of its elasticity by preserving some of the collagen function.
On the other hand, Bariatric surgery should be considered a last resort; going under the knife is a decision involving difficult lifestyle changes. Additionally, significant weight-loss after surgery happens much faster, causing the stretched skin to loose elasticity and sag more. Consequently, patients may need more body-contouring surgeries down the road.
Life After Massive Weight-LossBy Hana Jazzar
For many people who battled obesity over the years, and finally and won, losing a lot of weight (over 50-100 kilos) – either by diet and exercise or by
weight-loss surgery – is a life-changing accomplishment.
Priority differs between genders. Males are usually concerned about their chest and thighs, while women request attention to their abdomen, buttocks and arms.
Depending on each patient's wants and needs, procedures may include:
Liposuction and lipofilling (from patient's own fat), eyelid lift, face lift, neck lift, arm lift, breast lift and enhancement, tummy tuck, back lift, thigh lift and buttocks lift.
Note that contouring procedures may take many sessions to complete overall satisfaction.
Each patient is different and multiple procedures may be required depending on the patient's needs and priorities, usually done in three- to six-month intervals and addressing one or two areas at a time.
Surgeries take an average of three hours and the patient usually is hospitalized for one to three days depending on the procedure and pain threshold. Plastic tubes might be left at the surgery site to drain fluids or blood and will be removed in two to 14 days.
Usually no sutures are removed, and a binder needs to worn for two to three months to reduce edema.
Is bOdy-CONTOUrINg sUrgEry rIgHT fOr yOU?
For patients to achieve optimum result from body contouring surgery they must consider the following:
• Weight management: Maintaining an ideal (or near ideal) weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) for at least six months prior to surgery.
• Overall health and nutrition: Patient must be medically fit; healthy, clear of diseases and a non-smoker.
• Physiologically prepared: Willing to accept scars and possible risks or side effects.
• Expectations: Realistic expectations and understanding the results.
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M u s i c
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Stylebook
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OTHer AlbuMS TO lOOk OuT FOr!
My everything Ariana Grande
VMaroon 5
NOW That’s What I Call Music!
Finjan Omar Offendum
If You Didn’t knowThe Reminders
1 2
Patience Is a VirtueMC Rakan, Moe Zein & Al-Farabi
3
Joan Rivers slams Selena Gomez for “Pray for Gaza” post.
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D V D sWAT C H W I T H fA M I Ly & f r I E N d s
MuST-See TVDefiance(Season 2)OSN First HDTime: 21:00 KSAMonday
Z Nation is an upcoming Zombie TV series scheduled to air on Syfy. The first season will consist of 13 episodes, and is expected to premiere in fall 2014.
COCO CHANel: THe legeND AND THe lIFe By Justine PicardieIn this critically acclaimed, bestselling biography, Justine Picardie shares the history of Coco Chanel, the incredible woman who created the way we look now.
Fashion brands: branding Style from Armani to
Zara
graphic Design for Fashion
By Jay Hess and Simone Pasztorek
By Mark Tungate
When Dave Bautista found out he got the role of Drax the Destroyer, he broke down in tears, overjoyed at getting a Marvel comic-book role.
guArDIANS OF THe gAlAxYAmerican superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the 10th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film became a critical and financial success, having grossed over $425 million worldwide.
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A Brief History of the formation of Saudi ArabiaBy Mohammed Mirza On Saudi Arabian National Day, we see Saudis turning out in large numbers on streets across the country playing patriotic music and driving past in long processions in every major city. With ostensible signs of patriotism, the streets are full with decorated cars that are spray painted and adorned with flags. The spirit with which the day is celebrated is hard to match.
The National Day festivities show no boundaries for age or gender and many can be seen celebrating the day with great fanfare.
The history of what was to become Saudi Arabia dates to the beginnings of human habitation in Arabia up to 20,000 years ago. The region has twice in world history had a global impact. The first was in the 7th century when it became the birthplace of Islam. The second was from the mid-20th century onwards that still continues to this present day when the discovery of vast oil deposits propelled the country to a position of key economic and geopolitics.
For much of its history most of the region has been controlled by a patchwork of tribal rulers. The Saudi royal family were originally tribal rulers of the Najd region in central Arabia. From the mid-18th century, imbued with religious zeal the tribe started expanding its borders. Over the following
century, the extent of their territory fluctuated.
The Al Saud family had reigned over much of Arabia in the early 19th century. It lost part of its territory to the Turks later in the century and was driven from its capital near Riyadh, by the rival House of Rashid.
Fast forwarding to the beginning of the 20th century, the Ottoman Empire continued to have suzerainty over a majority of the Arabian Peninsula. Subject to this suzerainty, Arabia was continued to be ruled by tribal rulers, some were even vassals to the Ottoman Empire.
In 1902, Abdulaziz bin Saud, leader of the Al Saud tribe, returned from exile in Kuwait to resume the conflict with the Al Rashid clan and seized Riyadh – the first of a series of the great King’s conquests.
By 1906, King Abdulaziz had driven the Al Rashid out of Najd and the Ottomans
KnOW thE timElinE:
7th Century:Birthplace of Islam.
19th Century:Al Saud reigned over most of Arabia.
1902:Abdulaziz bin Saud seized Riyadh.
1906: Abdulaziz became recognized as ruler of Najd.
1913: Abdulaziz acquired Al Hasa from the Ottomans.
1926: Abdulaziz declared himself King of Hejaz.
1927: Abdulaziz took the title King of Najd.
1932: Hejaz and Najd were united.
Sept. 23, 1932: The country was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
DESTINATION RIYADH78
recognized him as the ruler of Najd. His next major acquisition was Al Hasa, which he took from the Ottomans in 1913, bringing him control of the Arabian Gulf coast and what would become home to Saudi Arabia’s vast oil reserves.
He avoided involvement in the Arab Revolt, having acknowledged Ottoman suzerainty in 1914, and instead continued his struggle with the Al Rashid in northern Arabia. Prior to 1923, King Abdulaziz had not risked invading the Hejaz because Hussein bin Ali, king of the Hejaz, was supported by Britain. On Jan. 10, 1926, Abdulaziz declared himself King of Hejaz, following which on Jan. 27, 1927, he took the title King of Najd.
By the Treaty of Jeddah, signed on May 20, 1927, the United Kingdom recognized the independence of Abdulaziz’s vast realm. In 1932, the two kingdoms of the Hejaz and Najd were united as the “Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Boundaries with Transjordan, Iraq, and Kuwait were established by a series of treaties negotiated in the 1920s, with two “neutral zones” created, one with Iraq and the other with Kuwait.
In the process, he united warring tribes into one nation. And on Sept. 23, 1932, the country was named the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an Islamic state with Arabic as its national language and the Holy Qur’an as its constitution.
Destination Magazine Archive Photo
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By Mohammed MirzaTabuk was always a major center of trade sitting right at the spot were Arabia meets the Levant, connecting the South to the North. And rightly so, the Tabuk railway station was one of the biggest junctions on the marvelous Hejaz railway line that ran through the deserts of Arabia. Although now defunct, one can still witness Ottoman construction expertise in this century-old junction. The Tabuk railway station looks like an exact replica of the station at Mada'in Saleh, another stop on the enigmatic Hejaz railway.
Today, the station is located right in the heart of the city of Tabuk and consists of a group of buildings constructed in a straight line parallel to the railroad. The entire premises covers an area of approximately 80,000 square meters, which has recently been renovated and is in a good condition. One can see remains of railway lines, rolling stocks, iron crossties and a small workshop at the site.
A Trip To HisToric sAudiTabuk Railway STaTion
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aRTS &
EnTERTa
inM
EnT D
IRECTO
RY
libRaRiES
Al sewAidisudair st.Tel: +966-11-4251263
dAr Ben JAwziprince saud bin Mohammed st.Tel: +966-11-2107228
King ABdul Aziz liBrAryKing Fahad rd.Tel: +966-11-4050188
King FAHAd nATionAl liBrAryKing Fahad rd.Tel: +966-11-4891455
THe cenTerAl TAlKing liBerArydabab st.Tel: +966-11-4020997
MuSEuMS & aRT VEnuES
7 sTAr ArT gAlleryAkkariya Buildings
ArT VisionKingdom centreTel: +966-11-2112412
lAMsA exHiBiTionAl FaisaliahTel: +966-11-2734239
THe ArT oF pHoTogrApHyAbu Bakr Al sedeeq rd.Tel: +966-11-4944614
THe BAzAArAkkariya Buildings
THe orienTAlisT Houseolaya Main st.Tel: +966-11-4634228
Tunisen AnTique Houseeuromarche
VillAge gAlleryThalatheen st.
wonder cAsTle corporATion dabbab st.
zAMAni ArT gAlleryolaya Main st.Tel: +966-11-4613057
zeKrAyAT FrAMesTahlia st.
STuDioS
AJMAn pHoTogrApHic lABTel: +966-11-4610210
AJMAn sTudio And lABTel: +966-11-4823608
bookSToRES
Al MAKTABA BooKsToresitteen st.
Al rAqeeM BooKsToreolaya Main st.
Al sHAgrey BooKsToreolaya Main st.Tel: +966-11-4611717
Al sHArq BooKsToreAl MalazTel: +966-11-4720538
Al wATAniyAH BooKsToreAswaq Al MajdTel: +966-11-4450619
dAr Al HdrAMAJareer st. Tel: +966-11-4788510
dAr Al qAseM King Fahad rd.Tel: +966-11-4092000
dAr Al MinHAJ For used BooKsprince Abdullah rd.
dAr Al sHAwAF liBrAryThalatheen st.Tel: +966-11-4622667
dAr eleM BooKsToreprince Abdullah rd.
golden pAgesTakhassusi st.Tel: +966-11-4631917
islAMic BooK cenTersitteen st.
JArir BooKsToreolaya Main st.Tel: +966-11-4626000prince Abdullah rd.Tel: +966-11-2645807
luTHAn HoTel And spA A woMen only HoTelorubah rd.Tel: +966-11-4807799
MAdAreeM crown HoTelKing Khalid international Airport rd.Tel: +966-11-2758888
NOTES
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Al FAlAH inT’l Tel: +966-11-4463737www.alfalah.com.sa
Al HAMMAdi HospiTAl Khalid ibn yazid Muawiyah st.Tel: +966-11-4643312www.hammadi.com
Al JAFel HospiTAlwestern ring rd. Tel: +966-11-4322222www.aljafelhospital.com
Al-MouwAsAT HospiTAl western ring rd., exit 114Tel: +966-11-4455555
dAllAH HospiTAlTel: +966-11-4720777
dr. ABdul rAHMAn Al MisHAri HospiTAlolaya dist.Tel: +966-11-4657700 http://drabdulrahmanalmishari.com.sa
dr. sulAiMAn Al HABiB olaya Medical complex Tel: +966-11-4622224www.drsulaimanalhabib.com
green crescenTAbdul Malik Bin Marwan st. Tel: +966-11-4644434www.gch.com.sa
King ABdulAziz uniVersiTy King Abdul Aziz rd.Tel: +966-11-4775524www.medicine.ksu.edu.sa
King FAHAd MedicAl ciTy (KFMc) Makkah rd.Tel: 8001277000
KingdoM HospiTAl Tel: +966-11-2751111
King FAisAl sHrcAl zahrawi st.Tel: +966-11-4647272www.kfshrc.edu.sa
King KHAled eye speciAlisT HospiTAloruba Branch st. Tel: +966-11-4821234www.kkesh.med.saKing sAud MedicAl ciTyAl imam Abdul Aziz ibn saud st.Tel: +966-11-4355555www.ksmc.med.sa