MAY 2022
shameelah khan
EDITOR’S NOTE
Peace be with you.
Peace be with you,
I have always wondered what goes on behind the scenes of filming a movie. I got a taste of what it was like when I got scouted by an agency and quickly learned that working behind the scenes is not all glitz and glamour. The long hours and dedication to detail in bringing what you envision to life is not for the faint hearted. I still have a passion for the industry so when the opportunity came along to interview a talented upcoming female director, it was a no brainer! In this issue we get to know, Shameelah Khan. This youthful soul is going to be breaking boundaries in the film industry with a host of accolades behind her name. Shameelah is definitely paving her way forward. So grab your cuppa, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the read!
xoxo!
By Yesmien KT
CONTRIBUTIONS
MOLTON BROWN LAUNCHES ‘ROSE DUNE’ EDP
Molton Brown, British fragrance makers, bewitch your senses with their first ambery-rose Eau de Parfum, Rose Dunes, an opulent scent that is an ode to the mysterious beauty of the Arabian Desert with a universal appeal that reaches far beyond the Middle East.
Iridescent. Mystifying. Hypnotic
Created by Senior Perfumer Phillip Paparella, Rose Dunes is a sophisticated layering of floral, ambery and woody notes. It’s a scented symbol of the mystic ‘desert rose’ found in the Arabian Desert; this is not a true flower, but a unique rose-like formation of crystallised mineral clusters. The Eau de Parfum opens with fresh green pepper and ginger, enwrapped by a blooming bouquet at the heart. An addictive oudh accord awaits in the leathery, woody- musky base, while a signature note of patchouli brings depth and darkness to the beautiful trail.
NATURE’S OWN FACTORY PRESENTS
BUCKWHEAT PRODUCTS IN THE UAE
The heart of all of Nature’s Own Factory’s delicious range of products is the Tartary Buckwheat seeds. Bursting with health benefits, their vegan chocolate bar with prebiotics has hit the shelves of the UAE and KSA hypermarkets.
BUCKWHEAT VEGAN CHOCOLATE WITH PREBIOTICS
What are prebiotics? Prebiotics are special plant fibers that result in a healthier and better functioning digestive system. They are naturally found in foods such as whole grains, bananas, greens, onions, garlic, and soybeans.
The unique, handmade buckwheat prebiotic chocolate was made with care, catering to everyone’s needs: the chocolate contains no milk or sugar, and the insulin increases uptake of all the beneficial properties of the natural ingredients. Additionally, the vegan chocolate is flavorful and light, making it the perfect delicious and healthy treat!
Their Organic Range of Edibles:
The Superfood Buckwheat Tea
The Buckwheat tea by Nature’s Own Factory is made of Tartar buckwheat seeds which are compressed into granules and fried, thus preserving its vital benefits. The nutritious tea is perfect for the tea lover, with its taste of smooth, delicate, and distinct flavor of scrumptious cookies.
Nutritionists across the globe highly regard the Tartar buckwheat, for its magnesium, iron and vitamin B1 and B2 content that supports the body and its metabolism function.
About Nature’s Own Factory
Nature’s Own Factory was founded in 2017 by best friends Seda Khunkaeva and Anna Khabarova. The company’s foundation was based on the desire to create natural products with a unique flavor, and a deep friendship with the founders. The range gradually expanded and now includes about twenty unique products.
Nature’s Own Factory makes natural products, which not only taste divine but are also a healthy addition to your lifestyle. Tartar buckwheat seeds have various beneficial properties with a unique taste and form the base for all Nature’s Own Factory’s products. Each seed can be used in a variety of ways: it can be brewed, added to jam and chocolate, or eaten with kefir or cottage cheese. Cold tea drinks contain grape juice instead of sugar, and unrefined cane sugar is added to the jam. All drinks are caffeine-free, and clinical research confirms that they are rich in vitamins and trace elements.
Herrera Beauty in the buff: Introducing Nude Couture
When it comes to Nude Couture, less is more. Inspired by 90s minimalism, Herrera Beauty’s latest release is all about effortless polish that showcases and enhances one’s own natural beauty. The innovations? A new formula infused with lip-conditioning agents and 10 new shades in a new blur matte finish. But going nude doesn’t mean having to skimp on pigment! Designed for a lighter than air second-skin feel, these highly saturated formulas deliver natural-looking, buildable color – minus the build-up – that lasts for hours with no signs of drying or flaking.
Ranging from berry pink hues including Nude Alert (color n° 770), Hot Nude (color n° 771), Slay Nude (color n° 772), Nude Couture (color n° 742), Chic Nude (color n° 780), Nude Cashmere (color n° 740) and Nude Supreme (color n° 741), to richer chocolatey tones such as Peanut (color n° 781), Sweet Brown (color n° 743), and Dark Leather (color n° 744), there’s a Nude tone for everyone.
Gliding on seamlessly, the new Nude Couture lipsticks melt onto lips for hydrated comfort that lasts up to 12 hours. Formulated with 3D silicones, emollients, and skin-conditioning ingredients, lips are left looking and feeling rejuvenated, soothed, and nourished for longer. Blurring fine lines and creating a soft powdery effect, they apply easily for a homogenous velvety finish without leaving any residue thanks to their hydrating Hyaluronic filling spheres and Jasmine flower extract infused formulas. Using the precise bullet applicator, lips can be redefined and contoured to create the illusion of a plumper, fuller pout.
MATCHESFASHION
LAUNCHES
‘NEW SEASON,NEW POSSIBILITIES’
SS22 CAMPAIGN
The future looks bright in MATCHESFASHION’s new SS22 campaign titled ‘New Season, New Possibilities’.
Embrace bold colours, easy dressing and statement accessories from the brand’s edit of curated pieces from the latest menswear collections.
Discover the must-have new pieces from brands including Alexander McQueen, Maximillian, Wales Bonner, S.S Daley, Craig Green, and more at MATCHESFASHION.
in
the cut
with
shameelah
By Yesmien Khota Touffie
Starting a career in film-making can be tough. It requires determination, resilience and vision. Shameelah Khan is a talented upcoming film director showing all of the above. We chat to Shameelah about her short film, ‘The Veil,’ which has been featured at film festivals locally and abroad. We also get to know her better, here is HER story…
I am a cat mama, an intersectionalist, a lover of books and poetry, a complete cinephile and I spend way too much time watching Instagram reels. I believe in the healing power of tea and doing the intergenerational work. I am a Cancer-Leo cusp (for those who know-know) and loves the moon, water and being near or in nature. As of late I have been thinking about what it means to heal through the cinematic form or any processes of play, embodiment and collaboration. At the heart of all that I love and appreciate about this lifetime, are the gift and blessings that are my friendships, family, my sister and my community. I am always led by process- in whatever way it chooses to show up and unfold for me.
Tell us more about Shameelah Khan?
Originally from Johannesburg, but now Cape Town based, I am a mixed-race South African Academic/ experimental filmmaker/researcher/writer based in Johannesburg. I graduated from the University of Witwatersrand with a post-grad in Film, Visual and Performing Arts, followed by a second post-grad in Creative Writing and then an undergrad in Psychology. I have recently completed my masters at the University of Witwatersrand in Film Studies cum laude, which focused on my familial archive, particularly that of my mother’s wedding day, which led to me re-cutting a documentary from the footage I had digitized. My fuller body of work and research looks at memory, archive, and cinematic embodiment as a form of practice led research.
I worked as a lecturer for the Academic Department, at AFDA University, Production Course, in Decolonial Critical Discourse, Post-Structuralism and multidisciplinary/multimedia Discourse for 5 years. I am currently the executive director and writer for the online South African arts Publication Odd Magazine which specialises as an inter-arts-disciplinary Digital platform focusing on poetry, fiction and non-fiction short stories, film, reviews, articles and photography. I am also the co-founder of an online NGO, WOW, which focuses on the empowerment of Muslim women in SA. I am currently working as the Screenwriting and Directing lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Tell us more about the Veil and the inspiration behind it?
Formed as part of the mobifest 2021 Bertha House which was a week-long international convening set for November 2021 that explored how visual storytelling and mobile technology can be used together to advance social change. It was jointly hosted between two hubs in the Bertha Spaces network – Bertha House in Cape Town (South Africa) and Postane in Istanbul (Turkey). The Veil is a futuristic short story which explores a village of women who gather in their local mosque in preparation for a birth engaged in ritual, care and solidarity on the stormiest night- when the men have slipped into a deep sleep, unable to wake up. The film invited women of all ages, who shared the same politic around women and equal access to spaces of prayer, calling them into a space of experiment, play and a solidarity-process. The inspiration behind the Veil is a complex one. At first I wanted to have a five minute (which we were limited to) documentary on Shamima Shaikh, a political activist who fought for womens access to the mosque, and was successful in staging a protest with 25 other women, at the very mosque I filmed the Veil in. The protests paid off when on the 27th night of Ramadaan, 1994, the men had invited the women inside to pray. Now, this mosque is completely open to all and has equal access to it. Unfortunately, I could not tell the brevity of this story in 5 minutes, nor would I do the women any justice. I opted then to tell the story we had faced, in 2018, of a similar nature, when in 2018 (can you believe it? Since 1994?), women were barred from entering a mosque in Johannesburg South. Here we tried to reclaim our space in the mosque but were met with extreme violence and physical assault. Not much was done around this event but the women were offered a space (not inside the mosque) but slightly out to pray during the Ramadhaan of the years that followed.
So, in order to make the Veil, I needed to think out of the box. Out of my documentary box. What I wanted was a re-imagining of the mosque space. I wanted to think about what the mosque space would look like with a re-imagining of community and care-praxis. I sat at the ocean and thought about it- what would I like the mosque to be for me?
Many things came up for me in that meditative session. One of the key things that came out of it was the idea of the mosque as a space that belonged to women without needing to think about the fact that it belonged to us equally. I don’t think that men around the world need to think about this. It feels as if the mosque has always been a site of community and gathering for them. But here I was, at the ocean, imagining the mosque as a safe space for women, as a space where a woman needing to give birth could go, or someone who has travelled from far can rest their burdens or children can grow up in. This is prophetic, but it no longer lives in us.
It was then that I decided to create a fictional narrative (in a non-fictional way) to tell a story about love, care and women in the mosque that felt almost like a home. What if the men in an area fell asleep and the women could do anything… what would they do… where would they go… The Veil speaks to this… a going into the mosque to embrace a sisterhood, a ritual and to celebrate birth and life. The Veil, is actually on one level speaking to a veil, the hijab, the covering but in another it speaks to this idea of women being “kept away” or hidden from something in the mosque which wasn’t there before- women were allowed into all of the mosques. What has shifted? And how are some mosques getting away with this? That being said, the veil is translated from something in Afrikaans called “die helm” which translates to a veil, and it is usually associated to babies born en caul. It is said that when a baby is born en caul, they have a gift of “seeing”. In many ways, my film is about the layers of seeing, being seen and what it means to hold a certain politic as a Muslim woman in the mosque space.
The story follows Rahma, a woman who is going to give birth. On a stormy night, when all the men have slipped into a deep sleep, she enters into a birthing ritual at the mosque. The women there, take her into their embrace and celebrate her. The five minute film is led by a voice over of the baby that will come… however, things take a slight turn in the end when the narrator asks the audience to step out of the dream, the future and the imagination of the women in the mosque- to a harsh reality. One which many women have to live- outside of their mosques.
Will we be seeing more productions in the future?
I really hope so. I want to make so many films that give women the space to re-imagine and re-create through story, process and ritual. I am working on it…. Insha’Allah. I have two documentaries out and they are about my mother. My first documentary Women in the Dark tells the story of my grandmother and mother speaking back to their sex lives, and the second is about my mother’s wedding day. But The Veil was a fictional tale, and I quite liked this move to fiction/non-fiction.
What keeps you motivated?
I think, the idea of creating change in small ways ground me in so many ways. I believe that storytelling and the creative arts is a way for us as South Africans and Africans to tell our stories, the stories that were never allowed to be voiced by our ancestors. For me, it is the idea that if I can make stories and document them, it will give other women who share my values and views a chance to see ourselves on screen and in books. That means so much to me when I think that it will be there for the youth- for the next generation. I do my work in activism, storytelling and justice for the women and the young girls…. They motivate me to keep doing this. Like the great women before me, I too have a responsibility to my community and this is the way I reclaim, decolonise and recreate- through the divine feminine urge to tell a story.
What words of inspiration would you like to share with our readers?
I will say the words taught to me by my Sheikh and spiritual teacher, Travel always, both inwards and outwards. Know your intentions. Always be in a state of change but know where you are. Remember Allah in the good times and the bad, want for others what you truly want for yourself, wake in the middle of the night to confront yourself and always, always – feed people.
Noon By Noor Unveils Ramadan 2022
Capsule Collection
Even though Ramadan is over, we are still in love with the Noon By Noor Ramadan 2022 Capsule Collection Campaign! Designers, Shaikha Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa, of Noon By Noor unveiled a limited collection of Ramadan-perfect dresses.
Crafted in Bahrain, the duo reinterpreted iconic silhouettes for the occasion including a long, fluid slip dress worn with a soft pink organza cover up cape, a regal column dress with flowing cape sleeves and high-low hem dress with gathered full sleeve detail.
“We chose soft-hued silks and voiles that are light, fluid and as crease-free as possible to give the Noon By Noor woman the right flow and movement required to host or attend intimate gatherings with their loved ones during the holy month,” said Shaikha Noor Rashid Al Khalifa.
Shaikha Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa said, “The dresses are uncomplicated. Several pieces carry our signature floral embroidery in silk thread work, while others have more celebratory embellished stone necklines and beautiful chain straps perfect for Eid.” And here at Covered Magazine, we are all in agreement that these are statement pieces marked for any occasion.
Photographed at an expansive private farmhouse against a spectacular backdrop of palm trees and mountains, the campaign embodies the brand’s liberated, candour and confident femininity. The models are captured strolling through the open space with an alluring sense of simplicity and ease.
Y/PROJECT X FILA
The 110th anniversary, for FILA, is the occasion to celebrate the innovative and daring spirit of the brand with unexpected collaborations that propel the action one step further. The next one is Y/PROJECT.
Since the appointment of Glenn Martens as Creative Director in 2013, the Paris based label Y/PROJECT has been carving a niche of its own, combining a conceptual drive with intricate constructions and inventive, playful detailing. Martens’ silhouettes are as thought provoking as they are grounded in real life, with quite an emphasis on individuality and independence. Having won the renowned ANDAM Grand Prize twice in 2017 and 2020, Y/PROJECT keeps growing as one of the most original voices in contemporary fashion, focusing on an unmistakable identity in which unisex styles share space with the hyper masculine and the hyper feminine, and insouciant historical references.
The collaboration with FILA is the marriage of two identities, resulting in a unique collection that fuses the design aesthetic of both brands. Glenn Martens gave a warped Y/PROJECT twist to FILA staples such as the t-shirt, the hoodie, the polo neck dress, and the windbreaker, as well as caps, sneakers, weekend, and tennis bags. Each piece is characterized by details that allow multiple ways to wear the garment, making it one’s own: double collars, strategically placed snap buttons, asymmetrical buttoning, double sweats, and a shoulder strap that looks caught in the wind. There is not one single way to own an item: everything is possible, and independent interpretations are welcome. As a whole, the collection exudes a bold streetwear feel that is made even bolder by the graphic play of juxtaposed logos.
“I see this collaboration, really, as a marriage of Y/PROJECT’s experimental spirit and FILA’s innovative drive grounded in sportswear – says Glenn Martens – The process was as easy as it was fun, and it allowed me to openly explore a streetwear direction that felt new. There is a fresh, happy vibe to the endeavor that I think is right for this moment”.
ABOUT FILA
Over the last century, FILA has been there for iconic moments, accompanying extraordinary individuals in pursuit of sport – those who courageously challenge limits and defy expectations through a seamless combination of power and grace. From its humble textile beginnings in Biella, Italy in 1911 to its historic introduction of color on the tennis court in 1973, the brand has always taken pride in creating designs as bold and breathtaking as its wearers moving seamlessly into the fashion market. With a philosophy of innovation and a commitment to performance and fashion, FILA continues to make a statement with styles that are novel in aesthetic and effective in function.
GANCINI
GENT
Spring – Summer 2022 Collection
Thin case and rational design: the new line of timepieces
embodying a contemporary minimalism
The focus of the Gancini Gent line of timepieces presented by Salvatore Ferragamo for Spring/Summer 2022 is decidedly contemporary. The thin case, clean design and recurring geometry (in the striped guilloché dial and the bracelet links) are expressions of the contemporary minimalism with which the Florentine maison interprets current market trends. Even the Gancini symbol, the brand’s iconic hallmark, has been rationalised in the shape of the case to produce an intriguing now you see it now you don’t effect.
The Ferragamo lettering on the top ring is an even bolder expression of the brand’s contemporary spirit. The “total black” version is rendered unique by its playful coloured detailing in the form of Super Luminova indexes and hands. It also offers a choice between a rubberized calf strap and a stainless steel bracelet, both black and with the double Gancini logo on the buckle. Gancini Gent watches are available from March in Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques, at authorized retailers and online.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Case: Ø 41 mm “Gancini”, IP Black
– Ferragamo lettering on top ring
– embossed “F” on crown Movement:
quartz (Ronda 762) with two hands
– Swiss Made Dial: striped guilloché
– Super Luminova indexes and hands
– white, red or blue Strap: black rubberized calf or
Bracelet: IP Black – buckle with double Gancini logo
Water resistance: 50 me
FERRAGAMO
ESSENTIAL
Spring – Summer 2022 Collection
Baguette case and linear geometry
Rationalism wins over the Gancini too
Clean, essential geometrical forms characterise one of the latest new developments from Salvatore Ferragamo for Spring/Summer 2022: Ferragamo Essential line of timepieces. A name that is a declaration of intent: to rediscover a modern minimalism inspired by purity and simplicity. The dimensions of the baguette case have been reduced to 14×33 mm, while sinuous curves and braids give way to right angles in line with the trend in watch design already seen last season in the Ferragamo Square Ingot model. From square to rectangle: the new forms produce a harmonious, sophisticated linearity.
The Gancini symbol is back, though very discreetly. The rationalisation of its shape transforms it into a decorative feature on the mother-of-pearl dial, at 6 o’clock, while a small index at 12 o’clock draws the eye towards the Ferragamo logo, hallmark of all the Florentine maison’s timepieces, just like the red cabochon on the crown. The linear geometry of the Ferragamo Essential line is also reflected in the horizontal link bracelet, an alternativeto the Saffiano leather strap
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Case: 14×33 mm, IP Yellow Gold
– crown with red cabochon Movement: quartz (Ronda 1032) with two hands
– Swiss Made Dial: two levels of mother-of-pearl, with double Gancini symbol
Strap: Saffiano leather or Bracelet: IP Yellow Gold with horizontal links
– Buckle with double Gancini logo
Water resistance: 30 meters
Amy Wilkinson –Lough the Founder of Project bYOUTY
By Yesmien Khota Touffie
Covered gets to meet one of the most inspiring businesswoman in the beauty industry today. Amy Wilkinson –Lough the Founder of Project bYouty a multifaceted e-commerce platform retailing authentic beauty and well -being brands, shares her story with us.
Tell us more about yourself? Who is Amy Wilkinson-Lough?
She’s just turned 40 – is trying to be as at peace with it as possible. 1 husband (2 felt exhausting), 2 beautiful rescue dogs, fierce feminist, exhausted entrepreneur navigating her third business whilst trying to do good in the world – can be found listening to outrageously loud Hip Hop usually wearing some kind of tracksuit attire.
Tell us more about Project bYouty?
We’re a homegrown platform curating over 100 beauty and wellbeing brands from all across the globe and delivering them GCC wide. At the core of everything we do is education, we believe the industry has become saturated with false promises, heavily edited imagery and a pressure that women the world over just don’t need. In Project bYouty you’ll find authenticity, research and I hope a safe space in which to navigate the often-overwhelming space of beauty.
What was your inspiration to start Project bYouty?
I was on a real personal journey of self-discovery, I’d lost a business, my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer and I was battling a pretty brutal round of IVF. Like anyone in a dark place you start to look for inspiration, understanding, guidance and for me it was about what I was consuming and where was it coming from. People often forget that product goes into your blood stream so why an earth would you want it to include ingredients that if I handed to you you unequivocally wouldn’t eat. In the UK a more transparent version of the beauty industry was emerging, I had access to phenomenal products and brands, here it took weeks for things to get to me, if even at all. It usually then followed with exhaustive taxes and duties fees – it made no sense, except it did – I was staring at a giant opportunity! If I was this frustrated I was pretty sure so were several others …. The rest as they say is history.
Why did you choose to set up shop in UAE?
The UAE has been home for almost twenty years – there is absolutely nowhere else I’d rather be. As a country we’re just getting started and being able to have a business within the Eco system is a real privilege – the opportunity here is exponential.
What process goes into vetting the brands/products that you choose to showcase?
It’s far more extensive than people probably think. We’re sent brands daily, but ultimately, we’re looking for a point of difference. Overwhelm is the one thing we’re trying to take away from consumers so whilst there’s unquestionably 100’s of great moisturizers out there we’d generally like to have the top 15 and make sure they cover all skin types, tones and concerns. Of course, all brands have to be entirely cruelty free – that’s an absolute non-negotiable. Then they must have at least two other attributes so perhaps vegan and clean, or organic and sustainable. We test everything – that way when we talk about a brand it comes from a place of authenticity – something I personally think is missing from the beauty industry.
Assuming, we’ve fallen in love with something specific about the brand and or product we’ll jump on a call with the founder and or formulator, hear their story but ultimately ask all the important questions in and around their processes, ingredients, supply chain and such like – as I said we strive for brands with a difference and it’s really important we’re aligned in values and desire to genuinely leave the world in a better place than when we found it.
Final test is product registration – when a brand tells us they’re vegan or halal we ensure municipality agrees, so brands are required to share all of their certification.
Give us a brief description of your beauty routine.
I get asked this question a lot and I just know people are expecting some really complicated routine, sadly I keep it really simple but I do jump between brands depending how my skins feeling. You’ll always find Emma Hardie and Mara for cleansers. Augustinus Bader for moisturizer. Pestle and Mortar for eye cream and NEVER without Ultrasun for the all-important SPF.
Please share with us some of the challenges faced when starting out and how did you overcome those challenges?
I come from the music industry, so outside of being your everyday online shopper the business/technology of E-commerce is not remotely familiar to me – I decided to own that. It was the first thing I acknowledged on calls but I followed it with why that was only going to benefit them as a brand and us as a business. I’d say it’s important that if you’re about to start out on a business you realize it’s okay to not know everything, no one knows everything.
How different is the beauty/skincare industry to the music industry and how did you adjust to it?
Whether I’m selling a new hyaluronic acid or I’m selling a new album, concert ticket it’s ultimately all based on the power of the brand and or artist and it’s reach. I will say navigating Drakes production schedule has often felt easier than choosing which brands we go with at times!
What are your future plans for the brand, Project bYouty?
To officially launch and then bring Project bYouty to life in short bursts. I think it’s important people see us in real life.
What words of inspiration would you like to share with our readers?
There’s nothing cooler than Kindness – use it.
PROUDLY PRESENTS THE BRIDGERTON COLLECTION
Esteemed member of the Ton, it seems we have a rather special announcement.
All eyes on the new Bridgerton X Malone Souliers collection. To mark the arrival of our exclusive 14-piece Bridgerton capsule collection, Malone Souliers, in partnership with Shondaland and Netflix, launches a new campaign which celebrates confidence, individuality, and the empowering magic of the grand entrance. It’s an adventure through a series of lavish interiors, exploring each shoe in the Bridgerton X Malone Souliers collection as a unique character out to make a dramatic first impression.
The Bridgerton X Malone Souliers collection takes its cues from the scandalous spirit and sumptuous outfits of Shondaland’s hit TV series for Netflix. Iconic Malone Souliers styles Maureen and Frankie are reimagined in opulent Regency-inspired materials that reference characters from the show – including pale blue floral jacquard for Daphne Bridgerton to a yellow moiré for Penelope Featherington. The Marguerite in lace mesh incorporates an empire-line silhouette and delicate velvet bow embellishment – both details a nod to Regency fashion. Ball-worthy embellishments amp up the drama in the Marion slingback – now embellished with an abundance of crystal-studded organza flowers – and the Sonia Sandal, which comes with a startling plume of electric blue feathers inspired by the beautiful hats featured in the new season of the show.
The Bridgerton x Malone Souliers Collection launched, March 15, 2022 on malonesouliers.com and at Boutiques on 19 Mount Street, London and in the Villaggio Mall, Qatar.
The collection can also be found at our following retailers: Bloomingdales Dubai, Bloomingdales Kuwait, Harvey Nichols Kuwait, Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Harvey Nichols Dubai, Tryano Abu Dhabi; and a Bridgerton inspired pop-up shop at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street in NYC and Bloomingdales.com, Bergdorf Goodman New York, Kalogirou Greece and Flannels UK.
VISIT BICESTER VILLAGE & THE IDYLLIC OXFORDSHIRE THIS SPRING
The Bicester Collection offers all-encompassing curated luxury shopping experiences, bespoke dining offers and tailored guest services, less than an hour away from some of Europe’s most visited big cities. Set your trip to Bicester Village, a favorite spot for the Kuwaiti traveller, in the heart of the Oxfordshire
countryside this month and experience the finest of modern-day luxury shopping while enjoying the culture, cuisine, and heritage of your destination.
Pop-ups and happenings during Spring and Summer
Newly launched brands at the village to explore include the Bella Freud pop-up, Celeste Starre, Isabel Marant, Jil Sander, This Works, Elemis, Soho Home, La Tua Pasta, London Grade Coffee, Laduree and Island Poke for fresh summer bowls, Spectrum Cosmetics and Benefit Cosmetics alongside the brand new “DO GOOD” pop-up boutique which will be running till 21st April and works with exceptional charity partners to help unlock the future for women and children wherever they’re born. The new DO GOOD pop-up boutique will offer new and pre-loved pieces from renowned brands such as Free People, Ghost, Cefinn, RIXO, Borgo De Nor, Seraphina, Joseph and many more, as well as a curated edit of items generously donated from the wardrobes of stylish fashion insiders including, Isabel Spearman, Kelly Eastwood, Erica Davies, Simone Powderly. Plus, guests can explore a special collection from innovative sustainable brand Ecoalf. Funds raised from the pop-up will go directly to Bicester Village’s DO GOOD initiative and its Unlock Her Future campaign. Bicester Village has collaborated with renowned graphic design artist, Karan Singh, who has curated an interactive art trail across the Village, across the facades of the buildings, which are captivating. The artwork will be running throughout the summer.
Getting to Bicester Village
Less than an hour from London, the Village is easy to reach by car and rail, with a regular direct train service that runs from London Marylebone to Bicester Village Station. With Arabic signage, prayer room and a great selection of halal cuisine, Bicester Village is always ready to welcome visitors from the Middle East.
Surrounding area
Located on the edge of the Cotswolds at the heart of rural Oxfordshire, Bicester Village enjoys a prime central location in England with exceptional transport links to London and more. The village and its more than 160 boutiques are within striking distance of renowned tourist destinations such as UNESCO World
Heritage Site Blenheim Palace and Oxford with its world-famous university and celebrated Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. Founded in 1884, the Pitt Rivers Museum offers a wide display of artefacts, such as musical instruments, weapons, masks, textiles, jewelry, many in the original wooden display cabinets. The unique Oxford Botanical Garden was founded in 1621 and is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and one of the oldest scientific gardens in the world with over 5000 different plant species. Other interesting sights to visit on your trip are Waddesdon Manor, Daylesford Farm, and
Oxford City Centre.
Services at the Village
Open seven days a week, the Village offers an array of services, including a multilingual Guest Concierge and Train Station Information Hub to make your visit more magical; either locations will offer access and information about Personal Shopping, Hands-free Shopping, Gift cards, Mobility scooters and more. The Personal Shopping service has is an upgraded service with new personal shopping suites and a supportive team of experts from a variety of industries, including retail, film, and media. The suites are private spaces that allow for discreet, bespoke, and personalized interaction during the personal shopping experience and are available as a service free of charge to all guests, including new and returning guests of the Personal Shopping team, as well as those referred by boutiques, private client services and partners. Available by invitation only is the luxury Apartment in Bicester Village.
The Apartment is a private space to unwind, enjoy refreshments, revel in purchases, or take part in a personal shopping consultation. Five-star hospitality, courtesy of expert teams comes as standard, but it’s where these services meet style that the concept really comes together. The spaces in The Apartment capture the magic of the surrounding region, taking influences from local culture in the form of colour, flowers, art and interiors. The Hands-free Shopping allows you to shop till you drop & relax while we collect & pack all your purchases ready for you to collect at the end of the day.
Halal food and beverage
Enjoy a shopping break or a bite at the cafes and restaurants serving halal food. Visit completely halal Shan Shui which pays homage to the best of Asian cuisine with the kitchen following time-honored recipes and working only with the freshest ingredients sourced locally. Inspired by the 1920’s Shanghai, the restaurant’s décor features a myriad of textures, colors and textiles, which is a nod to the city’s most glamorous era. Berenjak is a Persian restaurant reinterpreting the classic hole in the wall eateries of Tehran. Berenjak reinvents signature Persian dishes using seasonal British produce. The restaurant is
completely halal and is awarded a Michelin Bib-Gourmand in 2019. Visit the newly opened La Tua Pasta which makes their fresh pasta nightly in the outskirts of London, before being delivered to your plate just in time for supper. Using only the best and freshest ingredients such as Durum Flour from Italy, this
multi-award-winning restaurant ensures their pasta is made in strict accordance with Italian tradition (halal options available). Café Wolseley is an all-day café-restaurant which offer halal options, inspired by the iconic London flagship. Combining British heritage with European grandeur, The Wolseley is one
of London’s most admired restaurants in the heart of Mayfair.
INTRODUCING THE LIMITED EDITION GOLD BEAUTIFECT BOX
With the wedding season fast approaching, we want to share with you the newest launch from Beautifect: the Limited Edition Gold Beautifect Box. This luxurious, functional and elegant vanity case is the coming Bride’s must-have companion during the special time of wedding celebrations.
Refined for your enjoyment; the opulent Beautifect Box Gold, featuring an ultra-high capacity, long lasting battery for supreme brightness is the epitome of luxury beauty. The remarkable design combines all the impressive revolutionary features of the Beautifect Box and affords you optimum convenience
and portability whilst delivering professional results; you can be sure to look and feel your best every single day with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment.
Catering to the beauty conscious and those with a busy luxury lifestyle; the Beautifect Box consists of an advanced lighting system so you can see true to life colours and shades for any occasion. 5 innovative lighting colour modes with powerful LED even glow technology including the perfect daylight quality
lighting with a CRI of 90+, all with 3 brightness settings to tailor to your needs. There is no better way to do your makeup every day or to store your beauty essentials than with the Beautifect Box.
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Spacious compartments and wings store and effortlessly organize your essential makeup and a magic hinge allows you to angle and hold the distortion free glass mirror to any position, meaning you can sit back in comfort and do your makeup wherever suits you best.
With a single charge lasting up to one month; this rechargeable and cordless luxury vanity case offers the ultimate portability for the best user experience; you never need to be tied down to one place to do your makeup ever again and you’ll always have the best lighting! Get flawless makeup anywhere with
half the effort and in half the time; but look and feel twice as good.
How to Re-Style a Vintage Bridal Gown: a few Original (and Convenient) Ideas
By Manuela Pirola
Wearing your mother’s bridal gown for your own wedding is always a great emotion and more and more young brides are moving in this direction. They feel excited about a dress that comes from tradition and about the strong familiar bond the gown represents, no matter which culture you come from. Not to mention that it can also be an advantageous solution, as we all know that marriages can be very expensive! In this regard, going “vintage” by simply adjusting the wedding dress of your mother or grandmother really becomes a great opportunity. Of course, in most cases, not only does the dress need re-sizing, but also (and above all) re-styling, in order to make it more current and in line with the bride’s taste and the overall context. But how to cope with a bridal gown re-styling? Here are some tips you should take into consideration to be fashionable by updating your mom’s wedding dress. Let’s start with the color! Even if the gown has been well preserved, you are likely to find it quite stained and yellowed, so it is all about bringing it back to its light! Consider the fact that we are mainly talking about dresses of the ‘50s, ‘60s or ‘70s. In any good laundry, they will be able to get it back to its original brightness for a modest figure. Then you will need to find a good seamstress who will help you modify the gown and make it yours. At this stage the advice of an image expert would be precious to style the dress according to your body shape and personality, while keeping its vintage touch intact.
Finally, if the size and shape are okay and the fabric is still in perfect condition and well maintained, you can simply add a few details and renew it to your taste. How? A satin ribbon at the waist knotted at the back with a large bow or a simple cascading knot at the hips could be an idea! Again, if the dress has a button closure on the back, you may decide to replace them with something colorful or particular which will makes your gown unique, for example some jewel buttons.
There are therefore a thousand options to reuse a vintage wedding dress, reviving the family tradition without sacrificing personal taste and a touch of modernity. Just contact expert hands and that’s it!
The restyling can be minimal, partial or more important, depending on your needs. From a vintage empire-style dress, for example, it is possible to obtain a more modern, tailor-made cut: by modifying it and keeping what you like and eliminating what just doesn’t fit, you will have the dress of your dreams!
As a bridal stylist myself, I can say that young brides often ask to keep the precious bodice of their mom’s gown, perhaps made with lace, and they choose instead to change the skirt, embellishing it with layers of tulle. The dress can be structured both with a high waist and a low waist according to you body shape. It is also possible to create draperies, stopping them with small white or pastel shades themed with the color of the ceremony.
Another essential element to consider is the fabric. If the dress is made in simple satin, it is always possible to overlay a lace that you would have chosen personally. Conversely, if the dress is full of lace, with 80s-style puff sleeves and a wide skirt, then it would be interesting to create a sumptuous bodice, keeping the lace, but eliminating the puffed sleeves.
presents Peekaboo ISeeU Petite and Micro
The FENDI woman is multitudes. So is her Peekaboo.
The iconic Peekaboo bag expands the family and welcomes the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite, powerful in its attitude and perfect in its proportions, together with the Peekaboo ISeeU Micro, a fun and colourful accessory to match one’s bags.
Petite in the size but roomy enough to fit all the everyday essentials, to be worn crossbody, the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite will never go unnoticed. With its cute proportions and perfect capacity, the Peekaboo ISeeU Petite features the irresistible appeal of the coolest petite bag.
Chicken Tagine With Olives and Preserved Lemons
Method
✔ ¼ teaspoon saffron threads, pulverized
✔ ½ teaspoon ground ginger
✔ 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
✔ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
✔ ½ teaspoon turmeric
✔ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
✔ 1 chicken, cut in 8 to 10 pieces
✔ 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
✔ 3 medium onions, sliced thin
✔ 1 cinnamon stick
✔ 8 calamata olives, pitted and halved
✔ 8 cracked green olives, pitted and halved
✔ 1 large or 3 small preserved lemons (sold in specialty food shops)
✔ 1 cup chicken stock
✔ Juice of 1/2 lemon
✔ 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Preparation Method
▶ Mix garlic, saffron, ginger, paprika, cumin and turmeric together. If not using kosher chicken, add 1/2teaspoon salt. Add pepper to taste. Rub chicken with mixture, cover, refrigerate and marinate 3 to 4hours.
▶ Heat oil in heavy skillet. Add chicken, and brown on all sides. Remove to platter. Add onions to skillet, and cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Transfer to tagine, if you are using one, or leave in skillet. Add cinnamon stick.
▶ Put chicken on onions. Scatter with olives. Quarter the lemons, remove pulp and cut skin in strips. Scatter over chicken. Mix stock and lemon juice. Pour over chicken.
▶ Cover tagine or skillet. Place over low heat, and cook about 30 minutes, until chicken is done. Scatter parsley on top, and serve.
BOOK REVIEW
Book: Writing about Motherhood Honesty
Editors: Victorine Mbong Shu and Deborah Ballard-Reisch
Category: Family
Book Reviewer: Prof. Deborah Ballard-Reisch
Publisher: Profounder Publishing
Cost: R250
This book is really special. The openness, honesty, and candor with which the women who wrote about their motherhood experiences or their experiences with mothers is rarely seen in public discourse. Too often women are silenced by social pressures to be perfect mothers, to perform at peak at all times, to deny mistakes. Sometimes women silence themselves when they cannot live up to these standards. The reality of motherhood is complex. Mothers strive and succeed. They also strive and fail. Some simply don’t know how to strive or to mother at all. When we can discuss the realities of motherhood, we empower women in all circumstances to claim their voices and share their experiences not only to inform others, but also to seek and receive the support and nurturing they need as well. This book is not just for women or mothers. It is for everyone in every circumstance who has been challenged to claim their own voices, their own stories. All of us have had mothers or lost mothers, have been mothered well or poorly. This book is important because it starts conversation around a ubiquitous but often disregarded, undervalued, and misunderstood role in families and society: motherhood.
By Prof Deborah Ballard-Reisch
Submitted by Profounder Publishing victorine@profounder.co.za / 0825486385
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