< PreviousT H E M O D E L AC TI V IS T AL L AB O U T AS H L E Y With a mission to promote #BeautyBeyondSize, the barrier-breaking supermodel Ashley Graham is a woman we love. Here, she reveals her secrets for chic living… It’s easy to forget that you’re in the presence of one of the world’s highest paid models upon meeting Ashley Graham. Her booming laugh and infectious energy settle you into a wonderfully warm sense of familiarity. As a vocal advocate for inclusivity in the modelling industry and the brains behind the #BeautyBeyondSize trending hashtag, her uncanny ability to appeal to a diverse spectrum of women has gained her a cool 8.1 million followers on Instagram. “I don’t have a persona that I put on, I am who I am,” she says of her magnetism. With a remarkable roster of career highlights that include a TED Talk on the power of self-acceptance, a book – A New Model: What Confi dence, Beauty and Power Really Look Like – her Pretty Big Deal podcast series, a swimwear line, and her own Barbie, Ashley smashes through any glass ceiling in her way. Now, to celebrate her collaboration with Italian fashion brand Marina Rinaldi, alongside her recent visit to Dubai, the 31-year-old model lets us into her little black book of stylish secrets... 70 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019AS TOLD TO CONNIE CHAMBERLA YNE. BIKRAMJIT BOSE The NEWS Which songs do you have on repeat? Ariana Grande’s 7 Rings. Secret to a great dinner party? Curating the perfect guest list and making sure the conversation is always on point. Three dinner party guests Adele, Michelle Obama and Michael Jackson. What would you cook? I can’t cook! But I have perfected one dish: kale pesto pasta. What’s on your bedside table? Orthodontic mouthguard, earplugs, eye mask and Young Living essential oils for my humidifi er. How do you unwind? Binge watch TV. My current obsession is the series, This Is Us. Life’s guilty pleasures Mac and cheese, and facials. Role model My mum. Secret to being a successful businesswoman? Finding a balance between being confi dent, nice and knowing that you’re the boss. Interior style I’m defi nitely a minimalist with a combination of Moroccan cosy chic and Malibu vibes. House you’d like to raid Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Inspirational car eer moment It’s a mix of highlights really: my Sports Illustrated cover, my TED Talk, my book and the Barbie. Motto you live your life by Use your brilliance and boldness to change the world. Who would you love to share a magazine cover with? Miss Piggy and I would want Jean-Paul Goude to shoot it! Apps you can’t live without Instagram and Caviar. Causes closest to your heart Youth education and body activism. Values you admire in yourself A hard work ethic and kindness. Values you admire in others Creativity and loyalty. Biggest weakness Food. Greatest strength Making people feel valued. What feeds your soul? Knowing I’m making an impact on women and that their lives are changing by me telling my own story. L I F E S T Y L E My style is… Sexy, comfortable, chic. Fashion philosophy Ignore the rules, wear what you want and make sure you feel great. True style is… A refl ection of your personality. Style icon Rihanna. Off-duty look High- waisted jeans with an oversized cropped top and ankle boots. Rolled out of bed hair, brushed up brows, curled lashes with a few swipes of mascara, concealer, a bit of bronzer to warm up the face and Aquaphor balm on my lips. Middle Eastern fashion icon My good friend Noor Tagouri who is a journalist, wears a hijab, and is one of the most stylish people I know. Most cherished accessory My wedding ring. Cherished handbag My new Chanel tote. Favourite shoe Any white comfortable sneakers. Designers you love McQueen, Tibi, Cushnie et Ochs, Calvin Klein… The list is endless! Wardrobe you’d like to raid Kim Kardashian. Current S/S19 obsession Bright colours. Favourite S/S19 collection Tom Ford. S/S19 wish list The Alexander Wang black parachute pant look. Most beloved pieces of jewellery I have a beautiful gold spinning necklace that reads I Love You. It reminds me of my worth. Criticism of the fashion industry There is still a lot of work to be done with regards to inclusivity. But that’s why I’m here! FASHION Artists who inspire There’s a British artist who I love called Jenny Saville. I would love to own one of her pieces. Film you never tire of Casablanca. Fave actress Julia Roberts. Best restaurant A Turkish restaurant in my neighbourhood in Brooklyn called Seed. Top dish Mac and Cheese, or anything barbecued! City you love New York. Carry-on luggage I hate checking my bag so I will literally stuff as much as I can in my carry-on. Hotel away from home Anything by Six Senses. Holiday destination Italy, for the food! Swimwear Anything Ashley Graham (duh!). But generally I love a high-waisted leg with a triangle top. Film that changed your life The Little Mermaid was the fi rst movie I ever saw and it opened me up to a whole new world (see what I did there?). Current read Becoming by Michelle Obama. Pros of social media Spreading positivity and support. Cons of social media Bullying and creating a sense of false reality. ■ C U L T U R E Beauty is… Diverse. What makes a woman beautiful? Confi dence, intelligence and inner-strength. Three can’t-live-without products Revlon candid concealer, rosewater, Retrouve serum. Current fragrance Tom Ford’s Jasmin Rouge. Secret to beach prep Always SPF. Best selfi e-taking tip It’s all about lighting. Key to taking a beautiful picture Make sure your confi dence is radiating through you. Fave beauty hack I use oil of oregano all over my body. Most people just ingest it, but it’s amazing for your skin! Beauty mantra Anything goes. Best haircare products Anything by Oribe. Can’t live without Lolita skinfood and Kiehl’s body lotion. Favourite spa treatment Oxygen facials. Quick-fi x workout before a show Boxing. Pros of photo editing You can eliminate photo-bombers! Cons of photo editing You’re essentially creating unrealistic beauty standards. For or against cosmetic surgery and enhancement? To each their own. If it’s something that makes you feel good about yourself then why not. But everything in moderation is key. B E A U T Y Noor Tagouri This Is Us TV series Stare by Jenny Saville Michelle Obama Disney’s The Little Mermaid movie The Ashley Graham Barbie doll Michael Jackson Adele Perfume in Jasmin Rouge, Dhs1,482, Tom Ford at Sephora Bag, Dhs11,300, Chanel Candid Concealer, Dhs40, Revlon Dress, Dhs10,360, Philipp Plein Shoes, Dhs2,685, Stella McCartney T OM FORD S/ S19 TIBI S/ S19AS TOLD TO GEMMA DEEKS 72 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The NEWS T K TK K T K T K T K TH E DR E A M SHOE The winner of Rene Caovilla’s fi rst Middle Eastern shoe design competition, Ahad Bin Haider, talks to Bazaar hat was your fi rst memory of shoes? “I grew up watching my elegant mother wearing different designer heels but the ones that caught my eye were the Italian shoe brands. There was always something unique about them in terms of cuts, quality and design. I remember sneaking into her closet to play ‘dress up’ with her beautiful gowns and gorgeous shoes.” So, tell us how you got into shoe design? “Well, believe it or not, I have never professionally designed a pair of shoes before I was chosen to join this competition by Tea Before Noon, a company that caters to helping Emirati talents collaborate with big brands. Being a fashion designer at Illustrella, a fashion brand owned by myself and my two sisters – Afra and Alia Bin Haider – I did not fi nd it hard to complete my fi rst shoe sketch. I am glad to have my sisters who helped me create this beautiful design. The mood board was full of elegance and femininity and it was all about the beautiful refl ection of chandeliers, diamonds and crystals and how they grab attention. All of these elements have played an important role in shaping the beauty of this design.” What is your most treasured shoe to date? “I cannot name any specifi c piece that I own as different brands refl ect one part of my personality. Disney cartoons, especially the Cinderella glass shoe is a dream for every girl and has played an important role in bringing out the beauty of my design. When I got this opportunity to design these shoes, I had fl ashbacks of my childhood and I thought about other girls in my generation who imagined ourselves as princesses with beautiful jewellery and sparkly shoes. This is where my sisters and I started to think of all the inspirational elements that were placed together to design this masterpiece. I can easily say that once this winning design turns into reality, it won’t just be the most treasured pair of shoes to me but to every elegant lady who has voted for this design. I cannot wait to own a pair of these magnifi cent ‘Dream Shoes’.” How do you explain the love Middle Eastern women have for shoes? “Every pair of shoes that we as Middle Eastern women choose to buy, represents a side of our personalities – whether it’s edgy, chic, classy, simple, unique and many more. We care about two things: one, comfort and second, beauty. I believe that Middle Eastern women are the most stylish women as they look for beauty everywhere and admire things that are limited edition or personalised. They love being in the spotlight and tend to collect beautiful shoes that match their personality.” What makes a good shoe design? “Primarily, shoe design should be based on the mechanical functionality of the human foot. The second thought always is how often will you be wearing these pair of shoes? That is how you determine the choice of materials and structure of the shoes. It is true that it is all about the style and the look, but you should not compromise on comfort for your feet.” Who would you like to see wearing your designs? From the Arab world, I would defi nitely start with Queen Rania of Jordan. Additionally, Ahlam Alshamsi, an Emirati Singer, Nadine Nassib Njeim, a Lebanese actress and ex-Miss Lebanon, and Egyptian actress, Yasmine Sabri. Ahad’s design will hit Rene Caovilla boutiques later this year and will be available exclusively in select boutiques in the Middle East for a duration of six months. THE ON E TO W A T C H WCOMPILED BY GEMMA DEEKS. PRICES APPROXIMA TE MOTHER’S DAY Welcoming Mother’s Day on March 21, we’ve rounded up gifts with meaning for the women in your life, from Silsal’s unique gifts featuring sentimental Arabic lyrics from songs and poems that relate to mothers, to de Grisogono’s Toi & Moi collection designed for free-spirited women. The thought really does count. 73 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The NEWS TO FASHION WEEK WE GO As Bazaar’s editors prepare their wardrobes for Paris Fashion Week, we’ve put together the things their (Rimowa) suitcase won’t be leaving Dubai without from knitted jumpers to chic sweatpants. Europe’s cool temperatures impending... T H E PAC KI N G L IS T WOMEN’S DAY Celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, Net-a-Porter has launched six exclusive T-shirts from female designers, including Victoria Beckham and Isabel Marant, with proceeds benefiting Women for Women International. We’re inspired by Yislamoo’s new The Future is Female art print, too. THE CAPSULE COLLECTION TH E G I FTIN G Trousers, Dhs2,850 Valentino at Harvey Nichols - Dubai Sweater, Dhs4,500, Alexander McQueen Hat, Dhs830, J.W. Anderson at Net-a-Porter Suitcase, Dhs2,690, Rimowa Boots, Dhs7,850, Louis Vuitton Dior Lip Glow in Rosewood, Dhs166, Dior Beauty Candle, Dhs95, Silsal Mother and Child book, Dhs330 at Assouline Rula Galayini’s S/S19 collection was inspired by motherhood Middle East exclusive bag, Dhs1,270, Michael Kors Bangle, Dhs23,150, de Grisogono Net-a-Porter International Women’s Day campaign The Future is Female art print, from Dhs100, YislamooCREDIT HERE 74 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The NEWS AI M I N G HI G H In a bid to raise awareness for tolerance and equality, Manal Rostom, founder of online community Surviving Hijab, has set her sights on Everest base camp this month. With two lucky competition winners joining the climb, Bazaar fi nds out more TH E G O A L- G ET TE R75 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The NEWS WORDS: KELL Y JOHNSTONE. PHOTOGRAPHY : JULAILA FRA Y . MAKE-UP: BLOWOUT&GO. MANAL WEARS NIKE FROM NAMSHI.COM ell us about your trek to Everest Base Camp – what’s the purpose? “I want to raise awareness about tolerance, inclusivity, kindness and equality for all women via Surviving Hijab, which is a closed women-only group that, with over 622,000 members, is now considered one of the biggest communities on Facebook. I founded it in August 2014. It came from a very dark and desperate place. I was bullied by a society that was making me feel uncomfortable because of my personal choices to exercise faith by covering up.” It’s in partnership with Facebook. Tell us more... “The group kept expanding, so much so that it caught the attention of Facebook. I was then invited to give a talk at Facebook headquarters in March 2018, followed by a talk at its headquarters here in Dubai. I then applied for the Facebook Community Leadership Award that was launched by Mark Zuckerberg in January 2018 to support community leaders by providing them with monetary support to grow their communities. Out of 6,000 applicants Surviving Hijab won $50,000 (Dhs183,625) to enhance the activities of the group worldwide.” And you met Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg? “Yes! It was a really short meeting – around six minutes of her very precious time – but a very emotional one because her book, Lean In, has been like a bible for me. Each time I am preparing for a talk, a Q&A session or a meeting that is going to put me in front of fans, or people who believe in what I do, I re-read the book. It encourages women to seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto. In this male-dominated world, and particularly in this region, if a woman has a strong personality and knows what she wants she is perceived as aggressive – I hate that.” How was it presenting at the Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto? “It was beyond surreal! We were planning everything online via Skype calls about three weeks before the talk and when I got there the training was intensive. The fi rst time I stood on stage I was so emotional I cried. I honestly don’t know how I did it, but I received a standing ovation from the 5,000 people in the audience. I was so honoured to be there amongst people who didn’t necessarily know anything about me or my religion, yet still really got behind me.” So, your climb to Everest Base Camp... This is your second trip. Are you more nervous now that you know what it entails? “I am defi nitely more nervous this time around because this trip is not just about the people who have signed up because they want to go, but because of a cause. I am praying for a 100 per cent success rate. What is giving me nightmares is the thought of anything going wrong – for me to get sick or the girls to get sick. I would love to see us all making it to base camp with our fl ags and messages. I’m incredibly proud of the team. Some of the girls have zero mountaineering experience, but they are prepared to face something so life-changing.” You ran a competition to fi nd fellow Surviving Hijab women to join the climb. Tell us about the winners, Ramona and Rama. “I wanted to get to know the girls and to create a virtual bond before I actually met them in real life. At 39 years of age I feel like I’m good with analysing people’s energies – I can identify a good energy and one that will be a good fi t for the team. I got 35 video submissions overall. Ramona spent so much time working on her video, it was one of the best that was submitted and really showed how passionate she was about us, the trip and the cause. As for Rama, she is over 40, she is a mum, she has climbed a few mountains including the highest mountains in Europe and in Africa, so she really understand the challenges that lie ahead. Plus, I want to smash the stereotypes that assume that once an Arab woman gets married she is forced to stay at home or is oppressed. Rama’s husband is fully supportive and so she will help me to reinforce that message worldwide.” What do you hope to achieve with your climb? “The trip is an itinerary of two weeks and I want to make as much noise about Surviving Hijab as I can. To show the world what it means to be a hijabi woman living in the 21st century. People don’t get it, they don’t understand. I want to change the false perceptions that assume hijabi women are boring and uneducated, women who don’t play sport or travel. I am hoping by reaching base camp of the highest mountain in the world that my message will make a lot of noise and echo for years to come.” You’re a role model for so many, but who have been your role models? “Madonna! I like her perseverance and the fact she is self-made and is so innovative. Also Oprah.” What motivates you, particularly when things are hard? “How far I have come and how many people are looking up to me. My journey isn’t just about me anymore, but how people live their dreams through me and that’s a huge responsibility. But it is also what fi res me to keep outdoing myself and outgrowing myself. I need to be the best version of myself every day because if I fail it’s like they fail. Surviving Hijab has defi nitely exceeded everything I thought it could ever be.” RAMONA KHALIFE, 23, LEBANESE “I met Manal Rostom two years ago at Nike Run Club in Beirut – that’s when I found out about Surviving Hijab. I was appalled to read the negative comments about the perception of hijabi women and so started to share her stories to explain to the world what wearing a hijab is really all about. When I saw her competition looking for women to join her trip to Everest base camp, I had to enter. While I already have a daily sports routine, this trip will be a new test for me, but as someone who’s always challenging myself to go bigger and stronger, I think it will add so much to my journey. I want to inspire other women to believe in themselves, to push a little harder, to learn something new, to meet new people, to share love, peace and kindness, to change humanity and to set the standards for generations to come. Manal dreams big and doesn’t let anything stop her. She has an incredible ability to inspire others with her willpower, her confi dence and the way she represents herself.” RAMA AL JAYYOUSI, 42, JORDANIAN “I only started wearing a hijab in 2008 following a pilgrimage – I felt it completed my beliefs and identity. Then in 2015 I met this crazy, passionate woman on a trek to Mount Elbrus – Manal – and, as a married Arab hijabi woman with three children, Surviving Hijab really resonated with me. For one woman’s struggle to echo across the world inciting change and bringing like-minded people together in a safe, supportive community is incredible. This won’t be my fi rst mountain trek, but it will be my fi rst in the Himalayas. I am so excited about the inevitable bonding and team spirit coupled with knowing that I am making the climb for such a worthwhile cause. Personally, I am seeking to elevate my levels of tolerance and to open myself up to new opportunities and people. Manal’s unwavering passion for her cause is so inspirational – I mean anyone who can create change within a community deserves to be heard.” SOCIAL CLIM B E R S Meet Manal’s Everest girl squad T Sheryl Sandberg gave Manal some pointers ahead of her presentation at Facebook headquarters Manal has climbed seven of the world’s most challenging mountains ■CREDIT HERE The STYLE THE STYLE BL A N K CA N V AS Through their paintings, sketchings and murals each of these emerging artists has their own story to tell. But no matter what the creative process, the Middle East provides a clean slate on which to make their mark on the world 76 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 Photography by NORBERT KNIAT Words by KELLY JOHNSTONECREDIT HERE 77 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The STYLE From left. Chafa Ghaddar wears: Dress, Dhs9,180, Rosie Assouline at Harvey Nichols - Dubai. Shoes, her own. Maitha Abdalla wears: Shirt, Dhs1,350, Palmer Harding at Harvey Nichols - Dubai. Skirt, Dhs1,625, Marques Almeida at Boutique 1. Shoes, her own. Khawla Darwish wears: Abaya with trousers, Dhs1,750, NAFS. Dress, Dhs1,550, Stine Goya at Ounass. Shoes, Dhs3,655, Christian Louboutin. Saeedeh Keshvari wears: Top, Dhs6,850 and trousers, Dhs4,500, both Gucci at Ounass, Shoes, Dhs2,500, Stuart WeitzmanCREDIT HERE 78 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The STYLE CHAFA GHADDAR 32, Lebanese/French, visual artist, painter and muralist “I’ve always been interested in art and had an appetite for drawing and painting. Growing up, my home was surrounded by stunning, inspirational landscapes, which helped me to discover a love for playing with different materials and working with my hands – both major aspects of my work. I have two forms, one is focused on contemporary art and the other is about bespoke surface fi nishing and wall painting. I have so many artistic infl uences, but currently I would say English painter David Hockney and American-French artist Louise Bourgeois, plus cave art generally helps to shape my thinking, too. For my murals I have developed a lot of textures, intricate fi nishings and patterns – I would love to see these adapted to textile form. Whilst I don’t see a direct link between my sense of style and my work, when it comes to clothes I like interesting fabrics with intricate detailing and these are things that help to infl uence the textures in my art. I am the kind of artist who wants my work to be accessible. I am not expecting everyone to understand it, but I want it to move people even if they’re not from the art world. I try to use a language that’s accessible – if not within the work itself, then at least in how I communicate and exhibit it. In the region people are curious, there is a boom in the industry that is providing more opportunities, but you have to be very proactive to fi nd them. I want to do more collaborations and to see my murals and surfaces in different contexts.” Chafa wears: Dress, Dhs1,700, Rixo London at Ounass. Shoes, her own79 HarpersBazaarArabia.com March 2019 The STYLE KHAWLA DARWISH 32, Emirati, visual artist “I didn’t know I wanted to be an artist growing up, but I used to watch cartoons and sketch the characters, so I was drawn to it. Then I went to university and got excited seeing these students wearing white coats splattered with paint. I used to follow them and stand outside watching their two-hour classes through a window. The purpose of my work is to raise awareness of heart disease, as I lost my brother suddenly – when he was just 17 – and my father two years later, both to cardiac-related issues. I subconsciously started featuring detailed, anatomically correct hearts in my work, which my teacher noticed and suggested I start a series. I was then selected to show my art work at a student exhibition at the La Biennale di Venezia in 2009 – it was the fi rst year the UAE had exhibited. Yayoi Kusama inspires me – she’s been through hardship in her life. I want to be a famous artist and to sell my art internationally, but my ultimate goal is to save lives through my work, and if I can do that, that is fulfi lling. A lot of people have asked me to have my artwork on their clothes. I would love to turn my drawings into patterns for fabric, but I want to print them myself. I like the idea of doing things with your own hands to make things unique. The GCC is a relatively new market in the art world and not everyone understands my need to be an artist, or likes my work. But for me, my art is successful if it sparks debate.” Khawla wears: Abaya, Dhs1,650, NAFS. Dress (underneath), Dhs2,265, Layeur at The Modist. Shoes, her own ➤Next >