JANUARY 2022
Thaakirah Mohamed
EDITOR’S NOTE
Peace be with you.
Welcome 2022! The team and I would like to wish you a prosperous new year. We are already in our 2nd year of the new normal and we hope that the world is well on its way to healing. We bring in the New Year with a story about just that, healing from the darkness and stepping into the light. We get up close and personal with an amazingly courageous woman, Thaakirah Mohammed. Thaakirah gets real with us by sharing her story about how SHE overcame abuse from a very young age and how she chose to not to play the victim but instead became the victor of her own story. This dynamic revolutionist is breaking barriers with her voice. We also chat to Barbara Paldus, PHD. Founder of Codex Beauty, who tells us more about the revolution of skincare. It is time we embrace the shift, so take time out and enjoy the read. We hope you find inspiration to take the next step into finding the best version of you.
Enjoy the read!
By Yesmien KT
CONTRIBUTIONS
MODERN, UNIQUE AND UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN: THE TROTTOLA COLLECTION.
Sculptural, ancestral, different from everything. The Trottola collection shows, once more, Vhernier’s vision of contemporary jewellery. The collection is characterized by a strong idea of movement – a recurring motif in Vhernier designs – and by the combination of classic jewellery materials with more unusual ones.
Rose gold is enhanced by the absolute matt black of titanium, an enigmatic and innovative material; the two are modelled by Vhernier’s Master Craftsmen into one single and perfect volume. Thanks to titanium, very resistant and whose weight is very low, Vhernier has created a bold ring yet extremely light: an unparalleled advantage, which allows for a great wear ability. The Trottola pendant is a passe-partout piece of jewellery with great personality. The combination of materials makes it unmistakably Vhernier.
Lifestyle Collection Fall-Winter 2021/2
Stay in Style this Fall Winter
The Brunello Cucinelli Lifestyle collection is directly inspired by the philosophy behind the brand, born from the pleasure of the relaxed and familiar atmospheres distinctive of the Italian lifestyle.
The collection enhances the artisan savoir-faire, noble materials and the most precious traditions of Italy and in particular of Umbria. Each element expresses the peculiar harmony with the territory, is inspired by a balanced relationship with the natural rhythm of time, integrates research and creativity according to the dialogue between tradition and innovation that distinguishes the Brunello Cucinelli brand.
INTRODUCES THE FUTURE-FRIENDLY SNEAKER RODINA WITH A SPECIAL POP-UP IN LEVEL SHOES, DUBAI
The inaugural future-friendly BY FAR sneaker has arrived, whispering BY FAR with every step and from every angle. Slim-line last, round toe, low inset upper and an extra-umph from the 3 cm high cup sole creates the easy silhouette of RODINA, reminiscent of classic styles of the ‘70s and ‘80s. The line-up is all-white, classic sneaker style, with a changing leather “flash” to express individuality, this time taken a step further by expanding the sizing to include men’s sizes as well. The upper is full of subtle details. The tofu-coloured jacquard label on the tongue and the bright TPU logo at the back playfully tags this future classic as part of the BY FAR line-up. The technical mesh upper is complemented by a leather toe with a very classic diamond perforation detail.
The sole is made in two-tone compostable rubber. The grip is achieved through numerous little “bricks”, each branded BY FAR. Committed to continuously doing better and bringing about practices that protect and preserve the world we live in, BY FAR’s design team approached the concept of creating sneakers using post-consumer elements where possible and uploading the highest standards of BY FAR quality and craftsmanship. As an everyday staple, the BY FAR sneaker is the epitome of comfort, durability, and transcendent style. To capture the timeless factor of RODINA, the brand collaborated with Level shoes to launch the inaugural sneaker in the Middle East region with a pop-up and a video campaign. The pop-up installation designed by De-yan features a giant sneaker sculpture against a bright orange background
SUSTAINABILITY
Upper and lining: The Upper and lining of RODINA are both in 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, which requires less energy and water to produce than virgin polyester does. Using recycled polyester reduces the disposal of waste to landfills and the use of resources.
Sole: RODINA’s sole is made in two-tone compostable rubber. This compound is biodegradable over a short to medium time once discarded while still maintaining its comfort and durability for the many seasons ahead.
Laces: RODINA’s laces are made from recycled poly-cotton. Using recycled fibres decreases the demand for virgin fibres. Recycled poly-cotton minimizes water and energy consumption during manufacturing and reduces reliance on crude oil processing. The production of this material reduces the dependence on petroleum as raw material, diverts plastic from ending in landfills and reduces waste.
Leather: The smooth calf and grained leathers used for the Rodina sneakers come from tanneries, ensuring high manufacturing standards, ethical practices, and a low impact on the surrounding environment, including zero industrial effluents. Find out more about our sustainability efforts at byfar.com/pages/sustainability.
CECILIE BAHNSEN PRESENTS SIGNATURE FW21 LOOKS
Refresh your wardrobe with CECILIE BAHNSEN’s selection of fresh tailored looks from their FW21 collection.
Characterized by fine tailoring and layering, the FW21 intimate collection features haute couture fabrics that have become synonymous with the label: quilted silks, floral fil-coupé, pleated organza and matelassé that falls on the body like the softest paper, light yet voluminous thereby creating and developing new silhouettes and details that will add a special touch to your winter wardrobe.
The collection is told in four colour stories, mirroring the four chapters of the film Cecilie has produced for Paris Fashion Week. The palette weaves through greys, blacks and blues to pale lemon with glistens of orange embroidery – moving out of the darkness into light. In a new model of delivery, the collection will be made available in four drops, spread through the season by colour.
Embrace the opportunity to revamp your wardrobe with Cecilie Bahnsen’s statement dresses and accessories.
Thaakirah Mohamed
By Shamiera Dharsey
Photo Credit: Shareef Parker
Thaakirah Mohamed is the first Indian Muslim female author from her hometown, George.
Her book titled, ‘Mercy’, which shares content from her birth town in Lensia. The Conscious Revolutionist brands herself an ‘InfluHANCER’, a daughter of SAMSON the strong and a conscious believer. She is also a motivational speaker, GBV activist and integral life coach. Thaakirah believes in the upliftment of anyone who falls as a victim to circumstance of any nature. Community outreach and empowerment also play a fundamental role in her life. Her balance lies within her religion, her spirituality and her relationship with her Creator. We sat down with this fearless beauty to hear her tell her story with such courage, it is enough to inspire anyone that is willing to leave behind the playing victim syndrome and come out to be the victor…
What is the reason you decided to speak out about your abuse?
There were many events that led to me speaking out about my abuse.
One of the most prominent and bold in my mind’s eye was when I developed Cancer a few years ago and was gifted with a death date by the doctors seeing me.
This death date’s timeframe was just a month.
When I realised that I had lost the war of my womb and now my life, I decided to stand up for my own liberation as I believed that my soul deserved that, at least before I ‘died’.
I started a page on Facebook titled ‘I Can-Cer Vive and had a minimal following with its inception. I used the page as a medium to voice poetry or raw guttural emotions surrounding the pain my core was trying to release.
I took to my social media platform after the above news was given and voiced my story about me being a ‘victim of abuse’ as that was my initial mind-set.
Me being a victim that is.
My post went viral.
My inbox flooded with messages from people worldwide advising me about their situations of similar nature.
I even had a few people message to advise me that due to me voicing my truth, it had encouraged them to voice theirs.
There was one specific message that caught my attention.
It was from a sex slave worker in India who had just been raped and due to the man being extremely intoxicated had passed out and left his phone in her cubicle.
She took the phone, opened Facebook and came across my post and messaged me immediately after seeing it.
She told me 3 things that changed the entire dynamic of my life.
1. That if she was found in possession with the phone, she would be killed.
2. She was taken as a captive from her family and was sex traffic and has been a sex slave for over 16 years already and confined to the space she was in for an equal amount of time.
3. She begged me to not stop fighting for women like her. She told me how they were dying. Pieces of their dignity being killed daily.
After reading this, I promised myself that should I ever survive, I would never stop fighting for the liberation of these children who are now grown women.
This message was life altering
How have you been coping through all of it?
I was granted the name Thaakirah for a reason.
Thaakirah means ‘one who always remembers the Almighty’.
I firmly believe that there are no coincidences in life and therefore I was given this name for a divine reason.
The meaning behind it always played as one of the most fundamental sources of strength in my life and also the reason I coped for all these years.
What got me through was the moment I realised that if I was named someone who always remembers her Creator, why would he ever forget me?
My time of ease would come.
What was your breaking point, your moment of consciousness?
My moment of consciousness struck after attending a course titled ‘No Ego’ in March / April 2020. This course was aimed at doing deep emotional processing and tapping into the cells where my deepest trauma lied in order for me to deal with and release it.
After the completion of the course, my voice got steadier and stronger.
I then changed my Facebook page name to She Survives and started using platform to bring consciousness to those following my page to the effects of abuse and the repercussions thereof. My page grew and with that I chose the Name ‘The Conscious Believer’ as my alias.
I’ve since evolved and use The Conscious Revolutionist as my alias now.
Why do you feel that it’s important to break the narrative now?
After years of being somewhat forced into a silence due to my cultural background and community standards at the time and developing a spilt personality from the after effects of my abuse, I was exhausted.
I knew that everything I had gone through could not have just happened for no reason. Surely I needed to be brave enough for me to release myself from the shackles of my own self judgement because that was the only thing really holding me back.
Me judging myself. Once I released my truth, none one but myself had power over me.
Releasing my trauma to the world was the best thing I had ever done for body, heart, mind and energy.
What are your plans for the future now that you have reached this point?
I live by one of the verses in the Quran which states that ‘We plan and He plans and He is the best of planners’. When I really sat in understanding of this verse, I understood that no matter how much I overthink a situation or stress about ‘tomorrow’s’, I have absolutely no control over it. With that being said, I don’t know what the future holds for me and I enjoy it that way. Each day is an unknown waiting to be explored. Some with opportunities, some carrying surprises and smiles whilst others carry heartache. I’m at a point in my life where I’m flowing with life, thankful for my everyday lessons and grateful for my everyday blessings. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God).
Your book, Mercy, gives us a glimpse of what you have been through. Can you share with us something that wasn’t in the book?
I haven’t celebrated a birthday from as young as I can remember.
I promised myself every year for many years now that I would have a birthday party for me, my present to myself being a trip to Bali. This has been a dream for so long now.
Who knows, maybe this year is my lucky year. Maybe this year, I’ll find the courage to celebrate myself. Bismillah (In the name of God).
Are you planning on writing another book?
I feel as though Mercy still has a long way to go and I should honour it as such for right now. It took me 32 years to bleed my truths into this book and that bloodshed should not be taken lightly. For right now, Mercy was what my soul was sent to this earth to share. Until such a time where my soul pushes me to voice something more, I’ll be still and continue learning.
If there is one piece of advice you could share with the world, what would it be?
In a world filled with ego and cruelty, choose consciousness and kindness.
Allah humma ini as alukal aafiyah –
May the Almighty grant us all the divine protection we deserve.
BLOOMINGDALE’S MIDDLE EAST ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF ITS
E-COMMERCE PLATFORM IN QATAR.
Following the launch of its online presence in UAE, Kuwait, and KSA in 2020, Bloomingdale’s Middle East is now expanding its regional online offering to Qatar. Customers in Qatar can now shop and enjoy complimentary 2 – 4 days express shipping along with free exchanges and refunds via the easy automated online process. The new launch brings with it a seamless web and app experience, offering brand lovers on-the-go and easy access to an extensive selection of womenswear, menswear, kids-wear, beauty, fine jewellery, and home essentials from their favourite brands. Home to a diverse array of regional and global names, Bloomingdale’s offers a widespread, multi category selection to cover all shopping and gifting needs.
The womenswear edit flaunts both luxury and contemporary designer labels including Malone Souliers, Saint Laurent, Gianvito Rossi, Needle & Thread, Solace London and more. The edit comprises ready-to-wear, alluring evening wear, swimwear, and a covetable collection of handbags, footwear, and accessories. From everyday must-haves to workwear and beyond, the menswear edit boasts a well-rounded wardrobe for the modern man with labels like Off-White.
Emporio Armani, D1 Milano, and Valentino leading the way. As for little ones, the kids wear selection sees a variety of casual and dressy labels for every activity and occasion, including Fendi, Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. For beauty and grooming needs, customers can consider Bloomingdale’s their one-stop-shop for clean, results-driven skincare, makeup must-haves and fragrances from Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, Tom Ford and Kiehl’s to name a few. Meanwhile, homeware introduces an exquisite range of tableware, glassware and, serve-ware along with luxury bedding and décor accessories from leading home brands Bloomingdale’s Online offers free delivery across Qatar
KURT GEIGER LAUNCHES FESTIVE COLLECTION AND FIRT EVER JEWELLERY COLLECTION.
● Kurt Geiger’s Kurt Geiger London brand will launch its 74-piece jewellery collection for men and women in November 2021;
● The collection features earring, necklaces, bracelets and rings starring the brand’s signature iconography – including eagle heads and rainbow colours – and ranges from 250aed to 850aed;
● Kurt Geiger launches a festive collection with the new Kurt Geiger London Christmas campaign ‘Together, We Celebrate’, which aims to showcase the brand’s sparkling festive styles in a celebratory light and encourage its community to embrace its individuality
CODEX BEAUTY LABS INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCTS UNDER THE ANTÜ COLLECTION
Protective, Reparative Skincare Products made with Ingredients sourced from Patagonia Codex Beauty Labs, the revolutionary plant-based biotech skincare brand from Silicon Valley, has introduced additional new products in their Antü line available on clean beauty e-tailer, Powder. In addition to the Antü Brightening Moisturiser and Antü Brightening Night Cream launched earlier this year, the solution- oriented range now includes the Antü Refreshing Gel Cleanser, Antü Radiance Mist, Antü Brightening Serum and Antü Brightening Eye Cream that protect the skin’s barrier against reactive oxidative stress with ingredients sourced from the unique, low-pollution climate of the Patagonian rainforest. The Antü Radiance Mist is an invigorating spray that soothes and revitalizes skin.
Packed with the AntüComplexTM formula, as well as AHA-rich Mombin Plum and Mango, this refreshing radiance spray gently exfoliates and re-hydrates skin, and is clinically proven to refine the appearance of pores. Antü radiance mist is designed for all skin types and is especially great for dull, dry, tired, or uneven skin.
Image Credit: Codex Beauty Labs
The Antü Brightening Serum rejuvenates and protects the skin barrier and helps defend against exposure to airborne particulate matter pollutants. Made with the patent-pending, potent AntüComplexTM formula, this brightening serum is clinically proven to firm and re-densify skin with the AntüComplexTM formula and line- smoothing Hibiscus, soothing Cherimoya, and protective Entadine. Antü Brightening face serum is designed for all skin types and is especially great for dull, dry, or uneven skin.
The Antü Brightening Eye Cream re-hydrates the under-eye skin and is clinically proven to firm, smooth, and reduce the appearance of dark circles thanks to the potent AntüComplexTM formula as well as Muira Puama, Suma, and Dragon’s Blood. Antü Brightening eye cream is designed for all skin types and is especially great for dull, dry, uneven skin. As with all Codex Beauty Labs collections, every single product in the Antü line undergoes efficacy testing to prove its performance which is carried out at a third-party clinical facility under the supervision of a dermatologist and toxicologist.
Named after the most powerful Pillan spirit in the mythology of the Mapuche native people of Chile, Antü represents the Sun, as well as light, wisdom and spirit and was said to have created the Andes Mountains. The Antü collection combines ancient Mapuche tribal knowledge, modern biotech and genetic science, state-of-the-art cosmetic formulation, partnerships with local Mapuche wild harvesters, and a high-tech cGMP/EcoCert manufacturing facility and they feature a revolutionary patented PreservX® to support the microbiome of the skin. The complete Codex Beauty Labs Antü Collection is available on Powder.ae
www.codexbeauty.com
@codexbeauty
The Beauty of Science
By Yesmien KT
Barbara Paldus, PHD. Founder of Codex Beauty gives us the inside scoop about how she made the jump from science to beauty and breaking barriers when it comes to the revolution of skincare.
Q1. Tell us more about yourself? Barbara, the scientist and woman.
I am the daughter of a very famous scientist from the Czech Republic. I grew up in Canada and Europe where I learned six languages, so I consider myself a global citizen. I have a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford, where I was one of three women in my class, so I believe in breaking rules and rewriting the standards. I am a mother to a 12-year-old son, who has turned me into a passionate environmentalist, with a mission to make beauty carbon footprint neutral and plastic-free so our children have a healthy Planet. And lastly, I am a serial entrepreneur where my last company, Finesse Solutions, created the equipment in which COVID-19 vaccines are manufactured today. I believe that if we can dream it, we can build it, and that “impossible” means we need to work harder to figure it out.
Osman’s installation was chosen following an international competition led by Ikon, Birmingham, and the highly esteemed art gallery.
Q2. Why the jump from science to beauty?
Having had the privilege to work in the biotech field for 12 years in Silicon Valley, it allowed me to also interact with researchers and companies working on innovative plant-based biotech ingredients for beauty. I was fascinated and decided to jump in, trial by fire as they say here in the US. I really believe that my background in biotech and data-led experience gives me a big advantage in this industry. Our goal is to produce the purest and most sustainable products with the highest performance. Osman’s installation was chosen following an international competition led by Ikon, Birmingham, and the highly esteemed art gallery.
Image Credit: Codex Beauty Labs
Q3. What was the inspiration behind the brand?
I have a now 12-year old son who had a severe allergy to phenoxyethanol in baby products. This led me to try to ask questions of manufacturers, but I didn’t get very far as a consumer. I started questioning every claim on my products and wondering – having spent most of my career in biotech developing measurement tools – how the beauty industry quantified things.
This experience led me to start Codex Beauty Labs in 2018. I wanted to offer high quality skincare that brings transparency, clinical proof of performance, and sustainability to the forefront to fundamentally change the industry. Osman’s installation was chosen following an international competition led by Ikon, Birmingham, and the highly esteemed art gallery.
Q4. How did you come up with the name, Codex Beauty’?
The codex was the ancestor of the modern bound book. These ancient manuscript books used sheets of vellum, papyrus, or other materials. The codices contained human knowledge: medicine, botany, astronomy, mathematics or philosophy. Today, the codex is digital and is a way to organize and store information.
So why did we call it Codex? We are collecting data about skin and plants. Our goal is to become the largest database of information about how different plant bio-actives affect skin gene expression, in order to formulate the most potent products that solve the most challenging skin problems.
Q5. What makes Codex Beauty different from other skincare products?
• We bring the best of science to skincare with a focus and dedication to plant biology, ethnobotany, and biotechnology: We have a patented, edible preservation system based on biotech fermentation that also protects the skin barrier. We follow a scientific process in finding novel plants or ingredients, testing their capabilities, formulating them synergistically for a specific function, and then testing, testing, testing.
• We are a seriously sustainable skincare brand: We are deeply concerned about preserving the biodiversity on this Planet. We are killing species of plants, animals, birds, and fish at alarming rates. We are losing the knowledge of our Indigenous peoples equally fast. We need to protect nature, whether that it through fighting climate change to preserving our forests, reducing plastic to save our oceans, and/or producing ingredients in a way that will not harm delicate ecosystems.
• We are data-driven and transparent believing that the beauty customer should always have access to this data so that they can make the most informed decisions: We perform extensive and rigorous safety testing like preservative efficacy testing and irritation testing. We use state-of-the-art measurements to perform clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy and penetration of our products.
Q6. Please share with us some of the challenges faced when starting out and how did you overcome those challenges?
The biggest challenge I faced was finding the right people to help me bring my vision to market and to communicate our message authentically. I have often been told that the consumer doesn’t want too much scientific proof or that it is enough to just say the brand is clean. I believe that the beauty industry is ready for a new player; one that creates the highest performance products but also plays by a different set of rules. For me, it isn’t enough to just be clean. I have learned that at the end of the day, I must stay the course and stick to my values and objectives for Codex because it isn’t just another beauty brand, it is so much more.
Q7. How pure are the ingredients used in Codex products? And how is testing done on Codex products?
All of our ingredients have to pass COSMOS EcoCert, Vegan, and cruelty-free certifications. We audit our suppliers regularly, and they have to be sourced as fair trade. All ingredients are tested for their effect on the skin, and the final formulation undergoes clinical trials. Many of our ingredients are actually manufactured using biotech processes – their purity is 99.99%. We put a great deal of attention on purity and potency, and we want to understand the exact function of every ingredient ourselves. Only then can we truly create breakthrough products that meet the standards of the brand.
Codex products are tested in clinical efficacy trials where the effect of the product on specific skin parameters is quantified using instrumentation. This means we perform measurements such as skin hydration, skin barrier integrity, collagen content, and/or skin density, elasticity and firmness. The trained technicians at our test labs measure skin data using the same instruments that dermatologists use in their medical research. This way, we know what our products do, rather than guessing from consumer feedback studies, which are the opinions of a group.
Q8. Is the product available globally or only in the UAE? Can we purchase online?
The products are available globally including the UK, US, Asia and most of Europe. You can purchase online at powder.ae across the UAE and KSA. Codex Beauty Labs is also available in ARC stores, Woolworths and Superbalist in South Africa so far.
Q9. A cliché question, we know, but where do you see yourself and your brand in 5 years?
I want to be global brand that is recognized for providing consumers the best in plant-based biotech skin solutions. I want to be the go-to brand as well for anyone suffering from eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne or sun damaged skin. I am determined to be completely plastic-free with a negative carbon footprint and be helping document and preserve the enormous biodiversity of plant species on Earth.
Q10. Any words of advice for people looking to starting good skincare routine?
Once you switch to clean, sustainable beauty products, you will never go back because your skin will be so happy and respond to plant-based products like ours that also perform. Like how your body responds to healthy food; your skin will do the same. Good skin nutrition is imperative. I recommend products that support the natural skin microbiome and ones that hydrate and heal the skin barrier. It is important to nourish the skin with omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Also, “less is more” so a minimalist routine will go a long way for your skin. If you are under 30, you need a good cleanser and hydration – not much else other than a SPF. Once you are over 30, you want to add a serum with antioxidants and a pollution protection cream as well as an eye cream. Once you are over 40, you may consider a night cream to reduce dryness and retinol-like products once a week. Over 50, I would add exfoliation and a monthly peel, but not much more. The less you do, the happier you keep your microbiome, and after all, it is your shield against infection, so you need to keep it safe.
Jacob & Co. Unveils the Bugatti Chiron Green Sapphire Crystal Timepiece at Dubai Watch Week, An Achievement of Clarity and Color
Jacob Arabo, the founder of Jacob & Co., personally unveiled the Bugatti Green Sapphire Crystal timepiece at Dubai Watch Week.
“I view this watch as a masterpiece of design and engineering,” Arabo says. “It required a lot of work to make this timepiece a reality, but it has worked out even better than I originally envisioned. I’m also happy to provide a first look of this amazing piece during Dubai Watch Week, one of the world’s most prestigious luxury watch events.”
A watch case made completely out of sapphire crystal is one of the top achievements in contemporary high watchmaking. There are few watchmakers capable of producing a totally transparent case made entirely of sapphire crystal and even fewer willing to go through the time-consuming and costly effort of producing such a case. Jacob & Co. is one of the few.
The Bugatti Chiron Green Sapphire Crystal is the result of several months of preparation that began with developing ways to adapt the unique design of the Bugatti Chiron watchcase to sapphire crystal. After the design and manufacturing techniques were formulated, it took months of materials processing, high level machining and hand polishing to produce a case that exposes every one of the 578 hand-decorated and hand-assembled components of the JCAM37 manual wound caliber. This includes the exclusive fully automated engine suspended inside the case. Creating the manufacturing procedures alone required years of development and continues to undergo constant improvements.
Technical Innovations
The sapphire used for the case is synthetic, created in-house from aluminum oxide that is turned into a powder. This powder is heated to temperatures reaching 2,200 degrees Celsius. This causes the aluminum oxide to crystallize into pieces of raw sapphire. It’s vital that the material doesn’t melt but it forms a sinter on a pedestal that immediately solidifies. Layers of this material are added until carrot-shaped pieces are formed. From there the sapphire is shaped into blocks through a proprietary process.
To create color, the manufacturer “boosts” the powder using a combination of rare earths and other minerals. But to get a full case in a luscious green color more boosting agents are added. This increases the chance that the sapphire crystal will lose its chemical stability. It’s a balancing act, and sometimes the process is repeated multiple times until the proper hue is created, adding to the manufacturing costs. This is one reason why this process is proprietary. The completed sapphire block is then cut into a size that will become the body of the watch. The real challenge begins when shaping the block into the Chiron watch case. In the beginning the process is automated. This procedure, already difficult, is even more challenging because of the unique tonneau-shaped Chiron case, which measures 57.8mm by 44.4mm. It isn’t a singular surface but consists of a mix of geometric surfaces, including cylindrical, spherical, and curved shapes, and the horseshoe shaped end that replicates the iconic Bugatti grille.
Then there’s the hardness of sapphire. It measures 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Very few materials are harder, including diamond, which measures 10. Because of this, diamond cutting and polishing tools are used to craft the case.
The most important step in the process is the polishing. This creates the smoothness and transparency of the sapphire. Because of the delicacy of the operation and the multiple steps, this is done by hand. The case itself took from 80 to 120 hours to polish. However, there’s also the caseback, the top, the three crowns, the horseshoe-shaped Bugatti grille and other pieces that are all cut and polished separately to exact measurements and the same level of transparency. Every shape of every piece has a different polishing process. The angles to polish the exteriors and interiors of the case are different. But the quality, including the transparency, must be consistent throughout. In addition, as the case becomes smoother the artisan must gradually reduce the coarseness of the diamond polishing tools. This is also a proprietary production process. Throughout the polishing procedure there are dangers. Pieces can detach. Even with its extreme hardness, sapphire can break because the harder the material, the less elasticity it has. In addition, “optical deformation” can occur, which is basically streaks and other optical inclusions usually due to the use of substandard tools and poor polishing techniques.
If any of these things occur, then the monthslong process begins again. If everything goes as planned, then you have a sleek and perfectly transparent and colorful sapphire case that reveals every aspect of the Bugatti Chiron movement, including its groundbreaking engine and the whirling of the one-minute tourbillon.
The Concept of the Watch
The Bugatti Chiron Green Sapphire Crystal timepiece is a continuation of a collection that combines the DNA of both the hyper sports car manufacturer and the luxury jewelry and watch brand. The idea of creating a sapphire case for the watch was to provide a full view of all the 578 hand-decorated and hand-assembled components of the JCAM37 manual wound caliber.
This includes the exclusive fully functional replica of the Bugatti W16 engine. The engine is suspended within the watch case by four pillars that look like Chiron shock absorbers. Activated on demand, the “engine” comes to life with 16 pistons pumping and two turbochargers spinning. Other details in the exceptional movement include a whirling 60-second flying tourbillon on a 30º incline visible through a replica of the horseshoe-shaped Bugatti grille.
Inspiration
The Bugatti Chiron collection started with an idea conceived by Jacob & Co. and Bugatti to reproduce the visceral sensation of the iconic Bugatti W16 engine in a timepiece. Everything in the watch is designed in honor of the Bugatti Chiron hyper sports car.
The unique, streamline case that was so difficult to recreate in sapphire crystal is inspired by the flowing line of Chiron. The “engine block,” is intended to duplicate the Bugatti W16 engine. It operates on demand with a beautiful display of an engine in action. It is the first time a fully functioning car engine animation appears in a luxury watch. The movement is suspended by screws designed to replicate shock absorbers. Even the power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock is specifically designed to replicate a universal gas pump symbol. The back of the watch is designed to look like a car dashboard with two crowns and a pusher that winds the watch, sets the time, and activates the engine animation.
Create, Invent and Construct
The Bugatti and Jacob & Co. partnership was inaugurated in 2019 to create unique, never-before-seen timepieces that are true to the spirit of both companies, while taking watchmaking to impossible heights.
LUXURY JEWELRY BRAND MARLI NEW YORK INTRODUCES THE CLEO BY MARLI LIMITED EDITION EYEGLASS CHAIN
Jewelry brand MARLI New York presents the latest addition to the Cleo by MARLI collection, The Eyeglass Chain. MARLI is always looking for ways to complement the look and style of its customers by offering jewelry pieces that are chic and sophisticated. The newest eyeglass chain is inspired by this notion of offering perfect styling pieces that can be worn to enhance any look. MARLI wants all customers to feel and look their best in their everyday life. The Cleo collection, known for its rich color stone variations, is introducing the glass chain in White Agate, Turquoise, Green Agate, Pink Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Red Coral in both Rose and Yellow Gold. Founder and Creative Director Maral Artinian said, “The eyeglass chain adds an extra styling layer making it fun and playful with the six different colorways offered for an eye-catching look.” To add an interactive dimension to this exciting launch, an immersive filter will be created for customers to enjoy the Eyeglass Chain virtually, style it their way and share it on social media. The Eyeglass Chain is a Limited-Edition piece that will only be available in flagship stores across the New York Hudson Yards, The Dubai Mall, The Avenues, 360 Kuwait, Doha Festival City, and the latest Paris location in Rue Royale.
Jewelry brand MARLI New York presents the latest addition to the Cleo by MARLI collection, The Eyeglass Chain. MARLI is always looking for ways to complement the look and style of its customers by offering jewelry pieces that are chic and sophisticated. The newest eyeglass chain is inspired by this notion of offering perfect styling pieces that can be worn to enhance any look. MARLI wants all customers to feel and look their best in their everyday life. The Cleo collection, known for its rich color stone variations, is introducing the glass chain in White Agate, Turquoise, Green Agate, Pink Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Red Coral in both Rose and Yellow Gold. Founder and Creative Director Maral Artinian said, “The eyeglass chain adds an extra styling layer making it fun and playful with the six different colorways offered for an eye-catching look.” To add an interactive dimension to this exciting launch, an immersive filter will be created for customers to enjoy the Eyeglass Chain virtually, style it their way and share it on social media. The Eyeglass Chain is a Limited-Edition piece that will only be available in flagship stores across the New York Hudson Yards, The Dubai Mall, The Avenues, 360 Kuwait, Doha Festival City, and the latest Paris location in Rue Royale.
Monti Sibillini, Marche
Santoni’s vibrant orange bursts into the authentic Marche landscape, which is preparing to take on warm autumn shades. From above, the perspective is unique, the point of view is privileged. From above, the light and sinuous movement of a surreal scenography reveals Santoni’s autumn/ winter collection. The image is vivid and modern, fully expressing the union between the solidity of a land rich in history and the contemporaneity of Santoni’s stylistic trait. Volumes and proportions are enhanced by the color, authentic and hand-spread on each single product, because Made in Santoni really means Handmade in Santoni. As in Renaissance art workshops, which were basically families, the Santoni knowledge circulates like lymph in a tree: from the roots to the tender shoots, in an uninterrupted cycle. The human variable – passion, commitment, love – is fundamental. It transforms craft into an art of excellence, making Santoni the fruit of a unique territory and heritage, under the vibrant sign of orange.
THE BOWERY COMPANY
THE BOWERY COMPANY LAUNCHES EPONYMOUS FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM & DESIGN COMMUNITY SPACE IN DUBAI’S AL QUOZ DISTRICT
Partnering with HAY & FEST, democratizing modern design across the Middle East.
November 10th 2021, Dubai, U.A.E. – Dubai-based and established in 2014, The Bowery Company is an award-winning on-and-offline concept store incorporating the edgy, urban feel of New York with the clean minimal lines of Scandinavian furniture and accessories, anchoring a first-of-its-kind home for modern design in the Middle East. The new showroom launching in November 2021 will also house a multi-disciplinary design space, creating a hub for the region’s design talent with workspace offerings for the design-minded community. The eponymous 5000 square foot flagship space furthers the region’s progression & commitment to great design. Members of The Bowery Company’s Hub will avail of their dedicated working station, meeting room and access to curated events catered specifically to the region’s burgeoning design community, all in an unparalleled space of solace.
The Bowery Company Founder, Christiane Nasr, noticed a lack of stores or brands within the U.A.E that brought the edge of New York City, or the clean minimalist aesthetic of Scandinavian furniture Launching the multi-brand retailer, she was the first to bring decor trends which focus on expressive interior pieces while promoting comfort & nostalgia to the Middle East. The Bowery Company is the leading partner in the GCC for prominent design brands such as Ferm Living, 101 Copenhagen, Kristina Dam, Bolia & many more. “I’m known for affordable luxury,” explains Nasr. “It’s about providing items for clients who appreciate good design.” From the very beginning Nasr has been solely responsible for being the catalyst in the newfound desire for a more sophisticated aesthetic in homes across the Middle East. Iconic global design brands HAY & FEST are both now exclusively on the retail scene and stocked by The Bowery Company – furthering the brand’s goal of democratizing great design. HAY is one of the world’s foremost design brands; where everyday designs are reimagined. Since launching in Denmark in 2002, they have set out to inspire daily routines with a collection of functional, thoughtful, and playful furnishings and accessories. HAY will be visible for the first time on the retail forefront of the U.A.E. Their goal is to create affordable, long-lasting products that are highly considered, quietly forward-thinking, and relevant to real life – making HAY soon to be seen in homes across the Middle East.
FEST Amsterdam was founded in 2013 from a personal need for well- designed furniture without the high end prices. Owner Femke Furnée decided to fulfil this need by designing affordable furniture and home accessories herself. She sees synergy with The Bowery Company, explaining “while decorating my first apartment in Amsterdam, I was looking for design furniture for a fair price. This seemed almost impossible: my choices were limited to either mass-produced furniture or unaffordable high-end designer brands. I felt something was missing – and decided to fill the gap. I founded FEST in 2013: an interior brand that offers affordable, high-end design and the best possible service – without the high-end price tag.” This alignment with Nasr’s ethos has resulted in wonderful news for the brand’s followers across the GCC. From the perfect large statement sofa, to the finishing touches of a bookend – there is plenty to browse at The Bowery Company’s new flagship in Al Quoz, Dubai. Open six days a week, Saturday-Thursday 9AM-6PM, and always open on www.thebowerycompany.com, the brand continues to pioneer offering timeless pieces that bridge sophisticated and rebellion, while creating spaces of harmonious design.
EXPLORING CENTRAL ASIA
Part 2
By Adelah Henry –Tribe Travel Agency
If it’s not already, then Central Asia should definitely be on your destinations bucket list! Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are both situated in Central Asia and due to their unique locations, these two are often overlooked. The two countries neighbor each other so it’s very easy and straightforward to get from Almaty to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
And just like every other country, these are rich in history and possess a wealth of captivating and beautiful landscapes.
So let’s explore!
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan is a country that has so much to offer when it comes to nature and adventure! It is the richest country in Central Asia, due to its large oil and natural gas reserves. The country inherited the culture of the ancient Silk Road, Nomadic lifestyle and the Soviet Union which had a great influence on its formation.
It extends from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mountains at its eastern border with China and Russia. Almaty is a long-standing trading hub whose landmarks include Ascension Cathedral, a tsarist-era Russian Orthodox Church, and the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, displaying thousands of Kazakh artifacts.
Kazakhstan is safe to travel and is home to many expats. Islam is the largest religion with estimates of about 72% of the country’s population being Muslim. Ethnic Kazakhs are predominantly Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi School. The best time to visit Kazakhstan is from April to May. Swinging from extremes in temperature outside of these months, the weather settles at this time and makes the dramatic landscape even more alluring for inquisitive travelers.
Traveling to Uzbekistan
Besides flying directly into Almaty international airport, you can also continue your visit from Uzbekistan. You can take a 1 hour 38-minute flight which will cost you between 75 to 420 dollars. Train is also excellent which will take you 20 hours and cost about 10 to 29 dollars depending on the cabin you choose.
Places to visit:
Tamgaly Petroglyphs
Someone who finds history fascinating will find the Tamgaly Petroglyphs incredibly appealing since the Petroglyphs date back to the Bronze Age and there are over 5000 of them waiting to be explored. When you explore this place, you are sure to find rare, state-of-the-art, and preserved petroglyphs!
Charyn Canyon
If you want to witness the incredible beauty of nature, Charyn Canyon is the place to visit. This canyon stretches over 90 kilometers and some parts of the canyon are more than 300 meters in depth. Adrenaline junkies can go rafting or boating in the fast-flowing waters of the river. The river makes it a haven for water-sports enthusiasts.
Karkaraly National Park
Karkaraly National Park is the best place for nature lovers because not only will you be surrounded by amazing scenery but you will also interact and get to experience a lot of wildlife, including deer and foxes in their natural habitat
Kalsai River
It is often called the “Pearls of Tian Shan” and is a stunning lake that requires you to make a strenuous hike before you can enjoy its beauty.
Horseback riding
If you truly want to experience the local culture then horseback riding is an activity that is pretty popular in both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. You can find horseback riding in all the places that require you to trek to get to the scenic location, including Lake Kolsai. And because getting to the lake requires you to put up with a strenuous hike, this becomes the perfect place for a horseback ride since it lessens the burden on your legs.
What to Eat in Kazakhstan?
Make sure that you try their traditional dishes such as Kuddrdak which is a type of roast, Shurpa which is a combination of a soup and a stew, Kazy which is a type of sausage, and Beshbarmak which is a type of meat dish made with slow-cooked mutton. Each of these dishes is incredibly unique and particular to Kazakhstan, so experiencing them is a must on your visit to the country.
You can’t go wrong visiting Kazakhstan. The picturesque landscapes, culture and foods that we listed only highlight some of the wonderful treats that are in store for you.
This article is brought to you by TribeTravelDxb. Reach out to us for all your travel and exploration needs.
Every single season it’s always the same fashion items that appear in the stores – similar styles, different colours. Needs are not being met and this proves a dilemma for so many fashionista’s wanting a more modern yet modest fashion range. Women want sustainable fashion items that are longer in length, higher in necklines, not very sheer fabrics nor too fitted. Thus Moda Modesté started taking shape. We realized there was a market of stylish modest women who needed and wanted something different.
Moda Modesté is an upcoming company. The mission was to find fashion styles that ticked all the boxes. Hours were spent researching and tracking fashion trends. We searched for clothes with different style lines and colours that covered up strategic areas, comfortable and good enough for work, home or a visit to family and friends. Offering exclusivity by limiting it to five or six items per style, in hope not to flood the market and also allow for individuality for their clients. A second collection is being launched after a resounding success with the first range. The new collection is directed at empowering women with their choices as they head out to their various activities for the day whilst still staying fashionistas.
Our aim is to provide and source styles that are classy, elegant, modern but Modesté We want all our clothing to be proudly South African.
Our stores mission is “the enabling of women to live their chosen, desired way of life whilst maintaining their mission of cultural survival.” Cecelia Dinio Durkin
We announce that ETRO launches EARTHBEAT, the new chunky sneaker with an unconventional and innovative design. Unveiled during the Men’s Fall Winter 2021/22 fashion show, the multicolor and multi-texture shoe has a special name, which combines the words earth and beat, evoking the heartbeat of the Earth intended as the spirit of life and vibrating source of love and emotions for the planet. The unisex shoe incorporates a mix of suede, Paisley, jacquard and smooth or printed fabrics, enriched by distinctive details. This includes fringe, neon laces, turquoise studs, zigzag embroideries and the ETRO logo on the tongue of the shoe. In collaboration with the Italian company Vibram leader in the sector, the maxi sole was created to enhance the shape with functional and dynamic lines.
The new EARTHBEAT sneaker is the protagonist of a campaign directed by Mario Abadia, with creative direction by Francesco Sourigues and David Vivirido and photography by Jorge Perez Ortiz. At center stage, there are five professional dancers guided by Mattia Russo and Antonio De Rosa, two choreographers from the well-known Spanish company KOR’SIA. The soundtrack is composed by PAMPAM studio, emphasizing the dance moves in a pristine landscape that represents the reconnection with nature through color, passion and freedom. EARTHBEAT is now available at ETRO boutiques, on etro.com and in selected international retailers.
Lemon & Garlic Chops with Green Beans & Baby Potatoes
By Shehnaz Vanker
Method
✔ 1kg lamb chops
✔ 1kg lamb chops
✔ tablespoons brown vinegar
✔ 1kg lamb chops
✔ 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
✔ 500g green beans, rinsed & top ends cut off.
✔ 500g baby potatoes, washed & sliced in half
▶ Mix everything together. Drizzle with olive oil and transfer to a baking tray. Grind some black pepper over, cover with foil and bake on 180 degrees Celsius in a pre-heated oven for +- 30 mins.
▶ Remove the foil and pour some Nando’s garlic sauce over. Bake uncovered for another 30 minutes until chops & potatoes are cooked through.
BOOK REVIEW:
2020 by Ishara Pillay
It was a pleasure for our store, Profound Books in Bramley, to receive a book titled “2020,” couriered to us from Mpumalanga. First, I found the title weird, then I decided to read the book. Ishara Pillay, a first-time author, catches reader’s attention through a story told so well that every reader identifies with it. 2020 is not a story of a family at a particular point in time. It is a story of the entire world … our universe, captured by sequences of event that take readers on an emotional roller coaster.
I feel like stating that the more time unfolds, the more the meaning of this book matures. This book will teach, but importantly, be nostalgic when many of us would have forgotten what 2020 was like. Ishara likely hopes for her readers to live more, love more, be more grateful and to present life as more valuable. According to her tone, History is our greatest character. My favourite character is Parker. The ‘apology’ breakfast is a tear jerker! The innocence and conviction of the character remains completely heart-warming.
Book: 2020
Author: Ishara Pilla
Category: Semi – fictional
Book Reviewer: Victorine Mbong Shu
The events in this book are so real, I could not stop reading till the end. I have recommended this book to many who come to the store. Gosh! Ishara, when is your next book coming? Oh. Before we move to your next book, let me put it out that it is important for everyone to read this book.
Victorine Mbong Shu,
Writing Coach, Editor and Publisher,
@ Profounder Publishing
victorine@profounder.co.za / 0825486385
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