Woman This Month - September 2023

Ready for Big Day! the

A woman’s wedding day is one of the most significant days of her life. Farah Baig explores Rasario’s captivating 2023 Bridal Collection which promises timeless beauty for a truly unforgettable day.

There’s no denying that all eyes are on the bride at weddings… and rightfully so! Weddings are a celebration of love – two people finding their significant other and making it known that this is the person they would like to experience the rest of their life with. It’s dreamy, and for a day such as this a bride’s gown is capable of exuding the amorous nature of the day.

Rasario, the esteemed fashion brand known for its exquisite designs and unparalleled craftsmanship, is delighted to unveil its highly anticipated Bridal Collection. Founded in 2012 by Abkhazian designer Rasida Lakoba, Rasario has become synonymous with beautiful moments and special occasions, creating tailor-made pieces that accentuate and emphasise women’s beauty and individuality.

The Rasario 2023 Bridal Collection takes inspiration from the timeless beauty of weddings, capturing the essence of unforgettable moments. Each piece is meticulously crafted to evoke romance, elegance and sophistication, ensuring that every bride feels like a vision on her special day. From ethereal lace creations, romantic feather trims to sleek and modern designs, the collection offers a diverse range of styles to cater to every bride’s unique taste and vision.

The Bridal Collection seamlessly blends traditional elements with contemporary sensibilities. Delicate translucent fabrics, bustier constructions and classically sultry silhouettes embody the essence of Rasario’s captivating aesthetic. With impeccable attention to detail, Rasario creates breathtaking gowns that evoke a sense of timelessness and grace.

Rasario’s Bridal Collection is the epitome of elegance and artistry, meticulously crafted to ensure an impeccable fit and incomparable comfort. It’s just what a woman needs to feel extraordinary, confident and utterly beautiful on her special day.

Farewell Party

British Ambassador, HE Roddy Drummond and his wife Yasmin Drummond hosted a reception at their residence to bid farewell to Deputy Head of Mission, Stuart Summers and to welcome the new Deputy Head of Mission, Fiona Walker Doyle.

Award Ceremony

Nissan held a National Skill Contest Award Ceremony for its Sales, Service and Parts division at its showroom.

TAKING THE LEAD

Bahrain’s marketing and communications industry has empowered many women to become leading professionals in the region and beyond. Ingy Mekkawy was recently appointed as Marketing Manager for First Motors in the Kingdom, and spoke to Woman This Month about her career and first major role outside of Egypt.

Afterobtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Information Systems from the French University in Egypt, Ms. Mekkawy obtained two Master’s degrees from the University of Nantes, France, the first in Marketing and Consumer Behaviour and the second in Project Management.

She initially climbed the ladder in the retail industry before discovering her passion for the automotive industry, joining Nissan’s regional office in North Africa as a digital and communications executive, working her way up to become an assistant marketing manager for a number of other brands before spending the last five years as the marketing and customer relationship manager for Škoda in Egypt.

“I found a passion in understanding customers’ needs and trying to tailor suitable offers for them,” she says about her decision to pursue a career in the field.

“I remember during my first job, the team was discussing an idea for a book signing session and I suggested doing a special display section for the newly-released book. I was thrilled to see all the books being sold on release day. It clicked for me right then that this was the right path to follow,” she says of the rewarding experience.

Having recently arrived in the Kingdom, Ms. Mekkawy is excited to get started in a new market. “Bahrain is a very beautiful country and easy to settle in, especially for expats,” she explains. “Bahraini people are well known for being generous and the hospitality here is amazing, helping me to settle in without any issues.

“I am lucky to be able to join such a successful company as First Motors, which represents two of the best international brands worldwide, Hyundai and Genesis. I understand that I have a lot to learn about the market and customers’ behaviour in Bahrain, but I hope I can be of added value for the organisation by utilising my previous experience in different companies.

“I believe that in a small market like Bahrain, at least compared to Egypt, the competition is tougher, and therefore a good professional should always plan ahead, react fast and understand customers’ requirements in a faster way,” she says.

A number of outstanding marketing professionals in Bahrain have helped to break down barriers and reduce gender disparity within the industry. Ms. Mekkawy believes that the challenges in the field are the same for both men and women and that the only way to overcome any hardship that may arise is to work as hard as possible and to show your dedication to your profession.

When asked to share her advice for your women wishing to pursue a career in Marketing, she says: “What I would say to other female marketers and other young women interested in pursuing a career in the industry is simply to believe in yourselves and that you can do the perfect job if you dedicate yourselves appropriately.”

SAY ‘HELLO’ TO HEALTHY HAIR!

With hard water, heat and other significant regional factors that affect the health of our hair, we set out to find a product that would give our hair some life.

For over 25 years, LUSH has been known for their clean beauty products, and we were happy to scour their range of delightful shampoo bars for a solution. The Jumping Juniper shampoo bar is loaded with several antiseptic scalp-loving ingredients meaning it fit the bill.

This purple shampoo bar sorts out oily hair problems by washing away grease and managing oil production. Fruity juniper berry oil clarifies oily, congested scalps, while lemon and lime make your hair clean and shiny and give it an extra fresh scent. The incredible herbal duo of soothing lavender and cleansing rosemary calm and stimulate the scalp, because healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp. The result is beautiful, shiny hair and a refreshed scalp.

What makes these shampoo bars even better is the lack of excessive packaging, and the fact that you can easily take it along with you when off on a trip.

Are you ready for healthy hair?

Available across all LUSH stores and online at lush.com.mena.

DISCOVER THE POWER OF MICROCURRENTS

Microcurrent technology has emerged as a powerful ally in skincare that helps to maintain and enhance the skin’s firmness. FOREO, the renowned Swedish beauty tech brand, redefined the aging narrative with its noninvasive microcurrent devices.

FOREO BEAR and BEAR Mini, the leading devices in this sphere, leverage this technology, delivering low-level electrical currents that stimulate the 69 facial muscles, resulting in a toned and firm appearance.

BEAR holds the distinction of being the world’s first FDA-cleared microcurrent device and clinically proven to deliver results. Remarkably, 90 percent of users have reported visible improvements in skin tone and

firmness within just a week. It also has a unique Anti-Shock System which regulates the microcurrent intensity according to skin’s resistance, ensuring maximum safety and comfort.

The wireless and waterproof device comes equipped with 10 adjustable microcurrent intensity levels, delivering a customised treatment tailored to each individual’s specific needs. The FOREO app guides users through each step of their at-home facial treatment, ensuring that they can achieve professional-level results from the comfort of their own home. Available at Sephora and online at namshi.com, sivvi.com, noon.com and FOREO.com

Treat yourself to these five fantastic beauty products this September. A juicy new fragrance, lush hair, glowing skin and perfect pout await you.

LET YOUR LIPS DO THE TALKING

Pucker up and show off your signature style with these stunning lipsticks from Elizabeth Arden. The brand, which was led by one of the first female entrepreneurs in 20th century America has been a leader in science-based skincare since 1910.

To complement their advanced formulas, their team has concocted the richest of lipstick shades – perfect for any

time of the year. Choose from 22 satin shades including fierce reds, pretty pinks and daring purples.

Satisfy your desire for high-impact colour and comfort. Creamy, high pigment lip colour meets conditioning care in an anti-aging formula enriched with Advanced Ceramide Complex, Vitamin E and Maracuja Oil. Available at leading beauty stockists and online at ounass.ae.

TIME TO GLOW

Give reactive skin a chance to glow with Tata Harper’s new Superkind Refining Cleanser, designed to exfoliate reactive skin without stressing it out. Now, sensitive skin can start the day with a gentle exfoliator that simultaneously nourishes and refines to reveal a comfy, stress-free glow. The Refining Cleanser is formulated with 21 high-performance ingredients that gently exfoliate and deeply nourish sensitive skin from multiple pathways to restore radiance without reaction. Ultra-fine and delicate exfoliating particles from rice powder, gentle chemical exfoliation from cranberry enzymes and lactic acid, non-stripping cleansing from a glycolipid biosurfactant, purifying Nordic pine, soothing Gotu Kola, a strengthening counter stress complex, and replenishing sugar carbohydrates – all work together to delicately refine dullness, soothe discomfort, and nourish sensitive, dry skin to reveal a radiant, smooth, healthy-looking, and calm complexion. These exfoliators preserve the skin’s natural protective barrier as they exfoliate, and hold in moisture to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth, not tight and dry. After a hot and humid summer, this fantastic skincare product is sure to transform your skin.

Available at net-a-porter.com and tataharperskincare.com.

A LUXURIOUS ORIENTAL FRAGRANCE COLLECTION

Looking for a fresh new fragrance this season? The iconic LA fashion brand Juicy Couture expanded its best-selling fragrance portfolio with the luxurious Regal Collection in 2017 and has now added two new fragrances to the range - Glistening Amber and Majestic Woods. Radiant and glamorous, Glistening Amber brings together incense, amber, and cashmeran to create a complex scent that envelops the wearer in a gossamer veil of richness. The fragrance’s top notes include frangipani and black raspberry which lead to a vanilla and orris infusion.

As for Majestic Woods, this enticing, bold scent brings together gorgeous ambers and dry woods to create a powerful fragrance, fit for royalty. Captivating and provocative, Majestic Woods empowers and emboldens any

woman who wears it. Notes embracing the fragrance include sweet tonka, rich praline, musky ambrox and patchouli.

You’ll find that the drama and mystery of the alluring fragrances are heightened

further by the beauty of the bottle with its golden shield-shaped charms and glistening coils of silken rope. These fragrances are sure to be an addictive addition to your collection. Available at Debenhams and Goldenscent.com

MASTERING MONEY!

Money, and managing it, is an essential part of one’s life. Parenting columnist Ouiam El Hassani shares her tips on how to teach children about money.

Money patterns observed in early life are a primary source driving financial decision-making in adulthood. As a child’s primary educator when it comes to money, it is important that parents teach a healthy relationship with finances. By the age of seven, most children have grasped how to recognise the value of money and to count it. They also understand that money can be exchanged for goods, as well as what it means to earn money and what income is.

As we are living in a rapidly changing world, shaped by social media companies, influencers and sophisticated marketing campaigns that target young people, spending is much easier than saving. This is a daunting reality for parents worldwide who worry about their children falling into bad spending habits. However, there are a number of tips parents can use to educate their children about the value of money and foster a healthy relationship with money from an early age.

Here are Ouiam’s top tips on educating your child on the value of money:

1. Teach children that money is only a tool

It is important to demonstrate to children that while money is important, it is a means to an end, not the end itself. For example, one person might have lots of hammers but never uses them for good. Another person might have one hammer but builds lots of great things to make themselves and others happy. The same with money. It is not about how much you have; it is about what you choose to do with it that is most important.

2. Allow children to earn money

Allow children to earn pocket money by having to do chores, among other things. Help them come up with a list of potential money-earning jobs they can do on their own and in their own time.

3.

Talk about money in a positive way

It is so important to discuss money with children in an age-appropriate manner and not shun it as a taboo or uncomfortable topic. If children grow up thinking money is a difficult or awkward subject, this might result in them having feelings of guilt, shame or fear later in life when it comes to money matters, causing unnecessary anxiety.

Children should also avoid hearing things such as “money doesn’t grow on trees” or “we can’t afford that”. If children grow up with the impression that money is bad, they are much less likely to ask questions, want to learn more or seek help when they need it.

4. Distinguish between needs and wants

It is important for children to understand the difference between “wants” and “needs” because everything they desire might feel as if it is a “need”. Not only does this teach children to start thinking about the effects of delaying gratification, it also gives them the power to make choices regarding their purchases by considering the consequences

5. Encourage them to be autonomous

Children crave autonomy and doing things “my way” from a very young age, so, the best way to teach them to have a positive relationship is to empower them to make their own decisions about money. Let children make mistakes. Maybe they’ll spend all their money on something silly, but do not bail them out and make sure they learn their own lesson!

Giving them a steady allowance they can budget and save allows them to make decisions on a smaller scale in their childhood that can grow to become habits they have for life.

6. Be a role model

In the formative years, children learn by watching things and people around them. Children may adopt the attitudes and behaviour that parents demonstrate at home. So, the starting point is to make sure you- the parent- are able to demonstrate a healthy and positive behaviour with your money and that your words and actions are in alignment.

Mauritius

Mauritius is the island paradise with a beat in the Indian Ocean. This spice island boasts wonderful national parks, a stunning coastline and marine parks that can be explored by boat or underwater. If you’re a couple that loves activities, you’ll be thrilled to learn that water sports are particularly popular here; so, there’s no need to worry about getting bored! Tropical woods in its interior mountain ranges are home to magnificent fauna.

The neighbouring islands of Réunion and Rodrigues have their own beauties and feel remote even by Mauritian standards. The shorelines of all three are dotted with hundreds of little islets, creating a truly breathtaking landscape.

The average temperature from June through to September is a nice 20°C chilly winter. After a summer wedding, this might be an ideal time for relaxing. Choose from a wide range of hotels which offer gourmet cuisine, couples retreats, relaxation services and more.

Bora Bora

This incredible French Polynesian island is known for its volcanic views, turquoise lagoons, and sieved-flour sand. The island’s opulent overwater villas add to its tropical setting, making it ideal for couples seeking post-wedding getaways. Resorts cater to couples with exclusive snorkeling expeditions, lavish spa packages, and private island meals. Bora Bora is also a good location for scuba diving due to its proximity to sand-fringed Motus islands and a blue lagoon protected by a coral reef.

Bora Bora is best visited during the warm months between November and April, with peak travel from May to October attracting more tourists and higher prices.

Tickets for two, please!

Here’s the situation – you’ve met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, been proposed to, said ‘yes!’, planned and had your wedding surrounded by the people you love the most, and now comes the fun part. Go on a trip of a lifetime with your beloved at one of our top seven honeymoon destinations!

Bali, Indonesia

Bali, a land of millions of islands and mystical towering stacks, is home to some of the most stunning accommodations in the world. With numerous exquisite hotels and new ones opening, Bali is not a uniform island vacation destination but a mysterious, spiritual location that has managed to preserve its authenticity, culture, pristine beaches and lush tropical lands.

There are various lodging options for every price range, from amazing designer retreats to backpacker beach huts. If you’d prefer to visit during a drier month, plan your trip in April as July and August are peak season. Visits in spring or autumn are even more sedate. We’re positive that you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery of the hotels, many of which boast large outdoor decks, plunge pools and more.

Rome, Italy

Rome, known as the Eternal City, is a popular destination for couples and honeymooners due to its 28-century rich history, which includes world-renowned architecture, priceless paintings and sophisticated piazzas. Being home to the Pantheon, Roman Forum and Vatican, it’s no surprise that the city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of the city, the stunning Roman amphitheatre known as the Colosseum is a must-visit. Since its construction, the Colosseum has remained the largest standing amphitheatre and the largest ancient amphitheatre in the world.

The best time to visit this picturesque city is between October and April, with temperatures fluctuating but crowds dissipating. To add to the intimacy of this trip of a lifetime, be sure to book a private tours and cooking master class.

Greece

Greece and its many islands are captivating due to their simple beauty, rich history, mythology and wildflowerscented wilderness. Cyclades, Ionians, Thassos, Zakinthos and Spetses are just some of the stunning islands you can explore with your loved ones. Of course, Santorini is a honeymooner’s paradise, offering an uninterrupted view of a volcano and the deep blue sea. The islands remain warm well into autumn, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful escape.

Greece has no dearth of luxury hotels and resorts which offer villas with private balconies and pools, and spectacular views. Needless to say, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for your and your loved one to snap a picture of a lifetime.

Tokyo, Japan

Maldives

There’s no denying that Maldives is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for those seeking opulent and romantic experiences. The island nation’s resorts offer a variety of luxurious experiences, including candlelit dinners on private sandbanks and wooden suites on stilts accessible only by boat.

The choice of island depends on your preference for a luxurious honeymoon, as most offer a dreamy, laid-back holiday surrounded by stunning blue scenery. Some of the favourites include Soneva Jani, a glamorous hangout with some of the largest villas and enormous private pools, and Joali, which combines designer aesthetics with relaxing boho vibes.

If you and your loved one are on the hunt for an epicentre of flavour and adventure, we’ve got just the thing for you. Tokyo boasts the maximum number of Michelin stars in any city due to their vast restaurants that take pride in using the finest of ingredients. So, it’s no surprise that you and your significant other will get to rub shoulders with foodies, beverage connoisseurs, design aficionados and culture vultures.

Love a bit of shopping? Well, you can bask in the splendour of the all-glass Prada and Dior stores or have a chilled-out shopping spree at Tadao Ando’s minimalist-concrete shopping centre. And here comes the interesting part – cultural exchange. You’ll find that sumo wrestler’s quarrel in stadiums, and kabuki performers flaunt around theatres. Slow-drip coffee shops, independent clothing stores, traditional tatami workshops, and eighth-generation noodle counters abound in the small back alleyways. It’s Tokyo; you’re practically guaranteed a memorable stay!

What’s something you are grateful for today?

I’m grateful for having good health. It’s important to take care of our mind and body by meditating, being active, socialising, and doing what we love.

What is your dream holiday destination?

I am an advanced scuba diver; so, when I think of dream destinations, they’ll have an underwater life to explore, clear water beaches, nature, and warm temperatures. A few places on my list are Palau, Vanuatu Islands and Maldives amongst so many others!

What is a short-term and long- term goal of yours?

My short-term goal is to make INND’OR Luxury Interior Design a successful business. A long-term goal is not ‘losing my hair’ and keeping good health while making the business successful.

What’s your favourite childhood memory?

My dad is an avid traveller and took us on family trips to explore the world. I have great memories of trips: singing on road trips, the new food tried, and the places we explored together.

InHerShoes

Owner and Interior Design Director of INND’OR Luxury Interior Design, Sabina Torres, defines herself as a “Luxury Interior Designer who finds beauty anywhere whilst enjoying her passion for photography and travelling”. On a personal and professional level, she is an avid sharer of good experiences and blissful moments. Let’s take a walk in her shoes!

Name three musicians we’d find on your playlist: My playlists are so diverse, I listen to classical, Latin, pop, kizomba, house and other genres; most of the time I add songs I like to my playlists without paying attention to who the artist is. If I had to name three artists that have remained in my playlists for a long time: Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer, and my Colombian compatriot Shakira.

What was the name of a special pet and what made him/her special?

Sushi is my cat soul-mate that will remain in my heart forever; a stray cat I adopted that learnt quickly to adapt to house life, including going to bed at 11pm. Don’t ask me how, but every night she’d wait on the bed for me at sharp 11 o’clock, not making a noise until the morning alarm went off. This, and another 99 reasons made her unique and special.

Which venue did you find most interesting to design and why?

The 4th most expensive mansion in the world (estimated worth of over USD450 million). Working on its interior design, styling and decoration for three years was like a dream come true. The quality of the work produced was outstanding, and everything to the smallest of the items was specially designed for our clients.

What do you draw inspiration from as a designer?

Keeping all your senses open and paying attention to detail plays a big role in being inspired by anything in life; to name a few sources of inspiration: travelling, nature, Pinterest, learning from other people’s designs and skillsets, learning manufacturing techniques, etc.