On Monday, October 21^st, we coordinated a collaborative event between Gloss Salon & Spa and Think Pink to raise awareness about breast cancer. With the rise of diagnosed women in Bahrain and the GCC, Gloss Salon & Spa and Think Pink aim to educate women about this issue and highlight the importance of early detection. During this annual event, there was a talk by Dr. Samia Costandi, a two-time breast cancer survivor. She spoke about her experience with breast cancer, and how she dealt with it. She emphasized on the importance of regular check-ups, which is essential.

Dr. Samia Costandi, a Canadian of Palestinian origin, has a doctorate in the area of philosophy of education. With twenty-five years of experience in higher education, Dr. Costandi currently teaches at Ahlia University and directs the Centre for Measurement and Evaluation. Dr. Costandi was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, where she was operated on twice in the months of April and June. She received treatment over seven months from August 2003 until February 2004 and went into remission. Fortunately, after undergoing a mastectomy, she has been cancer-free ever since.

After Dr. Costandi’s speech, there was a live auction of exclusive products, which included handbags, tea sets, cosmetic cases, and paintings by a Bahraini artist. There was an exciting bidding war on a few of the auction items – just what we hoped! The auction items caught the audience’s attention and most of the items were sold. The proceeds of the event were donated to Think Pink. We were please to organize this event for Gloss Salon & Spa with Think Pink to raise awareness about breast cancer and to support a worthy cause.

Here are more photos of the memorable event:

Photography by Dana Khalid

The second season of Fashion Forward came to a close on Friday October 18^th with the Zayan the Label Fashion Show. Here are the details of the event:

The Collection:

Zayan Ghandour’s 5th collection is entitled Dream a little. Love a lot.  It is about the girl who floats through life in soft, dainty fabrics and coquettish cuts, weaving an ethereal landscape wherever she goes through signature narratives, intricate embroidery and flirty fluted hems.  She may get hurt along the way, (hence the blinged plasters J)  but that never stops her from dreaming, and loving.

The Palette:

The palette is soft, delicate, effortlessly dreamy.  Lightweight neoprene in meringue whites teamed with silver metallic and confetti pastel speck rafia fabrics. Neon coral and nude guipure lace.

The Silhouette:

The silhouette is, as always, girly, feminine, playful, irreverent.  Sheer paneling adorning mini ­dresses, fitted metallic and guipure bodices teamed with midi pleated skirts and cape back details, drop waisted shifts finished with coquettish gathered ruffles.

Signature motifs:

This season debuts 2 signature motifs. The sweeping swallow tulle cutout glides through the sleeves and hems of shift dresses, underlays of full bodied skirts, and wispy cascading trains of fitted tops, while the Kiss it Better dusty pink, coral and metallic silver lips motif is featured both in print as well as embroidery on nude and navy organza dresses, coats and tiered peplum hems as well as clutches, iPad cases, wallets and bum bags (expected to be make a big comeback next season).

The production:

Zayan Ghandour wanted to create an upbeat, light and playful world that her collection could inhabit. Real grass strewn with white roses and hydrangeas, lined either side of the catwalk while a custom-made mirrored staircase was centred at the top.

The first outing:

The first outing consisted of six models in white robes, when taken off revealed identical mini dresses in the six main fabrics or prints of the collection.

The music:

The show opened with “Let’s Dream”, an original song recorded and produced in Dubai especially for the collection, and was followed by a series of upbeat covers and remixes of popular songs including Tiga’s remix of Nelly’s “Hot in Here” (which was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the blinged plasters).

Here are some pictures from the show:

Here are also some backstage pictures from the show:

On the 3^rd of October 2013, we planned an event for Maki to unveil the new “AliaApproved” Maki. Maki, a fine contemporary fusion Japanese cuisine restaurant, exuberates elegance and culinary innovation. Maki transcends the boundaries of culture and food, as it embodies fusion cuisine is all about. Maki is collaborating with Alia Almoayed, a nutritional therapist, author, health speaker, and consultant. Alia Almoayed writes health articles for various publications, runs TV and radio programs on health and nutrition, holds lectures and seminars on the on the subject, leads annual health retreats, and heads a number of weight loss projects.

Maki approached Alia to design her own maki, the latest addition to Maki’s series of health-conscious options. After carefully selecting the ingredients of the maki Alia envisioned, the “AliaApproved” Maki was born. The “AliaApproved” Maki is the first maki delicately made of brown rice. The “AliaApproved” Maki is wrapped with mame paper (soybean paper), fresh local grilled hammour, with fresh cucumber peels, fresh avocado, and sprinkled with wasabi flakes.

The “AliaApproved” Maki officially launched on October 3^rd, where the maki has been added to Maki’s extensive, diverse menu. During the launch event, Alia introduced the concept behind her maki. “We’re huge fans of Alia’s work and believe in her message. We are thrilled to support her by creating our first brown rice maki available at Maki restaurants in the region,” exclaimed Amer Zeitoun, Maki’s Managing Partner.

The Fresh Ingredients

Alia with Nada Al Alawi

Group Photo with Our Clients Muneera Obaidli and Alia Almoayed

Visit Maki at World Trade Center to try the new “AliaApproved” Maki which, as the title suggests, is approved by Alia!

MyBahrain covered the event. Watch the video below: