< Previous40 HOT 1OO 2O19 | THE TASTEMAKERS The UAE is my adopted country; I have spent more years here than in my own country, Algeria, and both of my kids were born here. Living here is a blessing. I often describe myself as a self-appointed ambassador, as I find myself praising the UAE and its leaders for their progress, humility, and tolerance when talking to international media. My role model has become HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. His vision for the UAE and its implementation have had a domino effect on the whole region. If all of these achievements can be distilled to a single word for Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, it would be “happiness.” As he puts it: “Good governance is about nothing more or less than creating happiness. It really is that simple.” I am aware that there are things I can do to lessen my environmental impact, but there’s still room to grow. I am a work in progress. We need more sustainable cities that tackle the social, economic and environmental issues we are facing. Next year, I’m planning a TV documentary series about Arabian Gazelles, which will highlight the profiles of the fabulous, empowered women. I encourage everyone to take a step out of their comfort zone. Stop pleasing others. Instead, find your own happiness which will radiate through you and, in turn, make the people around you happier as well. HANAN SOBATI The founder of Arabian Gazelles – the region’s first female-only luxury and sports car club 41 THE TASTEMAKERS | HOT 1OO 2O19 MICHAEL CINCO The Dubai-based Filipino designer’s fabulous couture gowns are regularly seen on Hollywood red carpets 2019 was a great year. I dressed many celebrities for the red carpet at Cannes, the Golden Globes and Oscars. Nick Jonas wore my menswear collection in the Jonas Brothers’ comeback video. The UAE is so special to me because it is blessed with great leaders that motivate the people to achieve their dreams. The UAE gave me an opportunity to realise most of my dreams. Everyone should start saving water and energy. I encourage people to unplug phones and laptop chargers when not in use. When people are educated and talk about sustainability as part of everyday conversation, it becomes second nature to act accordingly. JANNAT MIRANDA The Dubai-based influencer @jmodeofficial is the epitome of chic The best advice I’ve been given was from my mom: “Quality, not quantity.” There are so many different ways to put that into perspective. I try and do my bit fpr the environment, whether it’s saving water or electricity at home or the office. I’ve stopped using plastic bags at the supermarkets in Dubai. I have so much to look forward to in the coming year: more work, lots of travel, attending my best friends’ weddings and I’m looking forward to getting a new perspective to life where happiness isn’t measured by anything superficial but just by everything that’s real and meant to be. 42 HOT 1OO 2O19 | THE TASTEMAKERS Our highlight this year was selling out our clothing collection in collaboration with Missguided within the first 48 hours worldwide! Women in general are what we look up to – the hard work and sacrifices they make. The female empowerment movement is very special for us. Never rush into things. We’ve learned not to be hasty. Patience brings the best rewards. We discuss the topic of sustainability on our Instagram Live quite often. Making a difference starts with one individual. We have strong opinions about this subject and it’s something we like to bring up in conversations. We do what we can to help and like to recycle and hope there is more awareness on this topic in the region. Influencers should be aware and more vocal about the topic, as we are big on setting trends. This could be a huge start to something amazing if we discuss this with our audience. Having inputs with the brands we collaborate with could be a great start. We love the UAE, because it offers safety to women and as well as amazing opportunities for all. SONIA & FYZA The Dubai-based lifestyle bloggers launched their own clothing line this year 43 FROM SPACE ADVENTURES TO BUSINESS VENTURES, THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE LEADING THE WAY IN THE UAE THE PIONEERS44 HOT 1OO 2O19 | THE PIONEERS I’m honoured and proud to represent my country in the space sector. It’s a privilege to be a part of this international collaboration and to work with them and to share our culture. It’s a spectacular view to see our planet from space and I spent any free time I had looking at earth. I will never be able to describe it sufficiently. It’s just incredible to see the earth, half in darkness and half in light, and to see the edge of the atmosphere. What’s really amazing when you look at the earth, there are no borders. As a humans we worked together aboard the station – despite our backgrounds or countries – for one objective: to understand and learn more about space. Seeing earth from space, I got to appreciate where we live. Earth is our mothership that carries us through space. I would like to add that it is really difficult to live in space. As astronauts, we have to prepare a liveable environment with oxygen, plan how to drink water and eat food – all the things that we do without thinking much about back on earth. We need to work together to make sure we save our planet and live on it in a smart way. We need to preserve it for the next generation, not just for us. HAZZA AL MANSOURI The astronaut became the first Emirati to venture into space in September 2019 45 THE PIONEERS | HOT 1OO 2O19 I was raised by a Lebanese mother and married to a Lebanese man: we live with a “reduce and reuse” mindset and I usually apply the same at home. Many of my fashion purchases are good quality products, which can be saved and given to my daughters. I am not shy of wearing the same look often. This past year I have travelled the world: visiting Europe, the US, China, Saudi Arabia and met with the most interesting people from our industry. I have been lucky to be a part of the buoyant start-up ecosystem through many projects we launched and have also participated in many conversations to raise awareness about women empowerment. I came to the UAE in 2002 from Canada, as a young executive looking for a new adventure. I not only had the most exciting career in retail, I also met my husband Anwar and my two beautiful girls, Ayah and Lulwa, were born here. I always feel inspired in the UAE as it has a pace and a positive spirit that drives motivation and opportunities. I love that it gives my family security and peace. As a working mom, it is a place that lets me enjoy success with a work-life balance; I am proud to say I have equal work opportunities as my male counterparts. I am a dreamer and I get inspired by other dreamers too. The older I get, the more I am attracted by the people with beautiful energy and positive conversations. RANIA MASRI EL KHATIB The fashion industry insider, Chalhoub Group CTO and busy mum of two has many strings to her bow46 HOT 1OO 2O19 | THE PIONEERS My highlight during the past year was definitely opening my new restaurant location at Al Wasl 51. I’m inspired by traveling the world and experiences different cultures. I look up to my late grandfather and Richard Branson as they taught me about risk taking. When you believe in yourself and the idea you have, you make things happen for you. At home we are very conscious about saving energy and using less disposable products, rather opting for reusable alternatives. One of my green goals is to use less plastic and I am educating my children to understand the planet is precious and that we are responsible for it. When it comes to sustainability, Dubai is coming along with positive and effective initiatives which may start small on an individual level, but it will have a bigger impact in the long run. The best advice I have ever been given is to put your health and happiness first and give it the same priority as the other important things in your life. In 2020 I am going to work towards adjusting my lifestyle to achieve balance between my body and soul. BASMA AL FAHIM The founder of Dubai’s Eventra and Doll HouseOUR MOST-LOVED HOLIDAY FRAGRANCES ARE BACK! WWW.BATHANDBODYWORKS.AE bbwmena •Customer Service: 800 - 74292 (SHAYA)48 HOT 1OO 2O19 | THE PIONEERS I am so thankful to my SB family which has grown in the last year from 6 million to over 16 million people across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. I now have over two billion minutes of video time watched on my channels. I have called the UAE home for 11 years. I moved here straight after university and have seen it grow into the incredible city it is today. I arrived before the Burj Khalifa was built and now when I look at it, it reminds me of all the different jobs I’ve had, all the amazing friends who have come and gone and all of the happy times in this city. I love where we’re headed with electric cars. Once electricity is generated from sustainable sources, electric cars will make a big difference. Electric cars don’t have to be sterile and boring, some of the coolest looking and fastest cars to be released this year are actually electric, so I’m excited about that. In order to make significant changes, governments need to implement laws regarding better sustainable practices. Even simple things like more car pool lanes will help to reduce the number of cars on UAE roads. My focus is to keep on creating content every day to build my brand. I’m also looking to release another TV show. I have some amazing opportunities to collaborate with world- renowned talent. Plus, the more work I can line up, the more I can increase my contribution to animal charities around the world. ALEX HIRSCHI Aussie vlogger @supercarblondie started in Dubai and has become a global phenomenon 49 THE PIONEERS | HOT 1OO 2O19 FATMA HILAL The phone photography guru shares her Insta- success secrets with others I consider myself one of the lucky people who lived in the UAE during the 80s and 90s and witnessed the growth of the emirates, and how women have been encouraged to enter all fields, and to have access to the best education. I always care for the environment. I focus on the ocean. I think we need to clean our beaches because the ocean is affected and so are marine organisms. Everyone can save the planet if they each take small steps people to do their part, such as not using plastic as much, and encouraging companies to use plastic alternatives, all helps. MARISKA NELL The South African environmentalist has dedicated her life to sustainability Being able to reduce our family’s waste to a two-litre container that we empty only every 20 weeks was one of the hardest but also most rewarding things I did in 2019. The last six years, I have been privileged to call the UAE home, and it is here where I discovered my passion for the environment and how to spread awareness through my art and how I live. I try to live a zero-waste lifestyle by sending almost nothing to a landfill. I educate others through my different social media platforms and my Mama Earth Talk podcast, which provides others with tools to help reduce their waste. Next >