Lifestyle

The Caftan as Cultural LegacyUnveiling the Mastery of Fatima Zahra Elfilali-Echchafiq By Sidra Asif In the opulent, borderless world of global luxury, where heritage meets haute modernity, few designers command the reverence of Fatima Zahra Elfilali-Echchafiq. As the founder and creative force behind Maison Fatim, established in 2002, she has taken the traditional Moroccan caftan, a garment steeped in centuries of history, and elevated it into a timeless symbol of international elegance and cultural pride. Her atelier is not merely a design house; it is a meticulous custodian of Moroccan artisanal excellence, recognized even by UNESCO for its role in preserving textile heritage. This is a story of a designer who found her destiny in the delicate stitches of tradition, transforming generational craftsmanship into a legacy for the modern woman. The Roots of Refinement,  Heritage as Destiny Fatima Zahra Elfilali-Echchafiq, whose official name is often presented as Fatim Filali Idrissi, was born in Fez in 1975. Her early life, spent between Morocco and Saudi Arabia, was saturated in the culture of traditional Moroccan craft and trade. Unlike designers who arrive at luxury through formal study, Elfilali-Echchafiq’s education was organic, rooted in the family’s artisanal business. Following the passing of her father, she took on significant responsibilities at a young age, managing and nurturing the family legacy. This experience forged a deep, practical understanding of the materials, the techniques, and the cultural weight of the garments she would eventually master. In 2002, driven by a passion to project the singular elegance of the caftan onto the global stage, she founded Maison Fatim. Her foundational philosophy was clear: to preserve Morocco’s cultural heritage while ensuring its transmission to future generations across the globe. She saw the caftan not as static folklore, but as a living canvas, capable of conveying grace, strength, and sophisticated luxury. This dedication to artisanal excellence and cultural heritage quickly propelled Maison Fatim to the forefront of Moroccan haute couture. The Caftan as Couture, An Architectural Elegance The core of Maison Fatim’s identity rests in its exceptional approach to the caftan. Far from the simple garment of daily wear, Elfilali-Echchafiq’s creations are complex, architectural pieces that require hours of highly skilled labor. The caftan, in her hands, becomes an elaborate silhouette that fuses traditional Moroccan artistry, particularly the intricate hand-embroideries and sfifa (trim), with the construction demands of contemporary luxury. Maison Fatim embraces only the finest luxurious fabrics, often collaborating with prestigious international fabric houses, including an iconic partnership with Miu Miu fabrics in 2020. The brand’s design journey is beautifully documented in its timeline, illustrating a steady, ambitious rise. Milestones like the launch of the Haute Couture Traditionnelle department in 2009 laid the foundation for the brand’s unique blend of tradition and innovation. The designer’s work is characterized by its meticulous detailing: the impeccable craftsmanship, the thoughtful layering, and a rich, often regal color palette that evokes Morocco’s imperial cities and vast landscapes. This attention to detail has earned the brand an international reputation for crafting timeless elegance. Global Footprint and Cultural Recognition Maison Fatim’s trajectory is a testament to the power of authentic cultural design in a global market. Since its founding, the brand has executed a strategic expansion that saw it evolve from a local showroom to a global luxury reference point. The year 2016 marked a significant turning point with the brand’s debut at Paris Fashion Show, followed by presentations at Kuwait Fashion Week, the Oriental Fashion Show, and a runway at Paris’s prestigious Hôtel de Crillon in 2018. The brand’s reach is truly worldwide, with appearances at Los Angeles Fashion Week, the Royal Gala Show, and the Palazzo Versace Dubai. This global exposure has naturally drawn a high-profile clientele. Maison Fatim has dressed a constellation of celebrities, artists, and influential women, including Oprah Winfrey (a moment that underscored the brand’s international standing), singers like Asma Lamnawar and Balqees Fathi (who became a brand ambassador), and other public figures. These women are drawn to Elfilali-Echchafiq’s ability to create clothing that celebrates femininity with grace, strength, and deep cultural resonance, regardless of where the garment is worn. Perhaps the most significant recognition of Elfilali-Echchafiq’s contribution is the commendation she received from UNESCO in both 2020 and 2023. These honors acknowledge her pivotal role in preserving and innovating Moroccan textile heritage. In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, Maison Fatim stands as an anchor, demonstrating that the future of luxury can and should be rooted in authentic, slow, and respected artisanal practices. The designer is an ardent champion of cultural patrimony, viewing every intricate stitch as a line in a long, unbroken narrative. Crafting a Timeless Legacy Today, Fatima Zahra Elfilali-Echchafiq continues to preside over her house with the same visionary passion she began with over two decades ago. She designs each piece with the mission to celebrate Moroccan elegance through exclusive creations, ensuring that the legacy of Moroccan craft remains vibrant and contemporary. Her journey from managing a family craft business to commanding international runways and receiving accolades from the United Nations is an extraordinary narrative of ambition married to authenticity. She has not only succeeded in business but in her core mission: transforming the caftan from a beautiful garment into a global icon of feminine empowerment and cultural pride. Maison Fatim is more than a fashion label; it is a repository of history, a laboratory of refinement, and a powerful symbol of Moroccan artistry celebrated by the world.

Khrystyna Mukhasseb From Luxury Real Estate to Global Diplomacy, The Reign of a Multitasker By Tia Holder  Khrystyna Mukhasseb’s story is a compelling study in modern, multifaceted success, where the seemingly disparate worlds of high finance, global pageantry, and grassroots humanitarian aid converge into a powerful personal brand. She effortlessly transitions from brokering multi-million dollar deals in the glistening towers of Dubai’s luxury real estate market to advocating on the world stage for her native Ukraine.  Her professional life in the United Arab Emirates, characterized by shrewd investments and complex cross-continental transactions, has established her as a formidable expert, navigating the high-stakes environment of global wealth and property acquisition. This career, built on a foundation of strategic thinking and financial acumen, is the engine that provides her with the platform and resources to pursue her broader goals, allowing her to operate with influence in a sphere that demands precision and discretion. Her attainment of the title Miss Tourism Universe 2025 is not merely a personal triumph in beauty and grace, but a strategic acquisition of a global megaphone, immediately elevating her to the role of an international ambassador. This crown has been artfully integrated into her mission, offering a prestigious, non-political forum perfectly suited to her interest in Diplomacy and Women’s Leadership. On this international platform, she can celebrate culture, foster understanding, and, crucially, cast a sustained light on the resilience of Ukraine and the need for global solidarity, effectively using her visibility to amplify her voice on humanitarian issues. Indeed, it is her profound dedication as a Volunteer and Humanitarian that anchors her public life with an undeniable purpose, drawing attention to the plight of vulnerable communities affected by the conflict in Ukraine. She utilizes her extensive network and influence to direct support to critical organizations like @refugees and @globalgiving, demonstrating a deep commitment to providing tangible aid.  By actively championing Women’s Leadership, she aligns herself with the movement of resilient Ukrainian women who have emerged as community leaders, leveraging her status to advocate for gender-informed aid and inclusion in reconstruction planning. Khrystyna Mukhasseb thus represents a new archetype of global citizen, one who skillfully blends the ambition required for financial success with a genuine, relentless drive for compassionate change, ensuring that her legacy is defined not just by the height of the towers she sells but by the depth of her contribution to global welfare.

Zeina A Rising Voice Bridging Cultures Through Music By Afef Yousfi Zeina, often stylized simply as, is an emerging figure in the contemporary R&B and pop space who bridges multiple cultural worlds. Her music fuses Western and Middle Eastern influences, she sings across languages, and she embodies a generation of artists who draw from diasporic identities while carving space in mainstream scenes. Though still under the radar outside certain music circles, Zeina’s trajectory suggests she is on the cusp of wider recognition. Her Instagram handle @zeina, linked to “mateswav” in her branding, provides a window into her creative world and aesthetic presence. One of the compelling aspects of Zeina is the multiplicity of her identity. She is a Canadian singer from Montreal, Quebec, of Lebanese and Egyptian descent. Her multilingualism, singing in English, French, and Arabic, reflects both her personal background and her ambition to speak across linguistic borders. Her childhood included stints in Saudi Arabia, which exposed her early to Arab culture, and later moving to the West, where the experience of cultural otherness shaped how she perceived herself and her art. She has described wanting at times to mute what made her different in order to fit in, but eventually reclaiming and embracing her Arab identity as essential to her artistic voice. This tension between assimilation and self-assertion runs through much of Zeina’s work. To her, identity is not a static thing but a dynamic tension to be explored in sound, language, and collaboration. Zeina’s early musical experiments date back to the mid-2010s. Her first phases leaned toward more conventional R&B and pop stylings, but over time she cultivated a more distinctive blend, drawing on late 90s and early 2000s R&B as a foundation while weaving in hip hop, pop, and Arabic instrumentation or vocal references. In 2024, she released her debut studio album Eastend Confessions, marking a milestone in her career. Before that, she had put out an EP Odd One Out in 2021. Her discography includes singles such as Hooked, which became her first to chart on the Canadian Hot 100, peaking at number 77. Among her notable tracks are Give Me Time, Nasty, Ur Loss, Allo Min, Times Two, and Jananto. Her sound often explores themes of heartbreak, loyalty in love, friendship, or to one’s roots, and the emotional cost of ambition. Zeina has referred to her career itself as a kind of relationship, one that can be the most toxic because of the sacrifices and tensions involved. Her more recent works show increasing confidence in blending Arabic elements, melodic motifs, rhythmical touches, occasional use of the oud or Arabic vocal inflections, without alienating a global audience. In her song Ur Loss, she shot the music video in her childhood home, using the traditional decor as an anchor to her cultural identity. Zeina’s talent has begun to draw recognition. At the 2025 Juno Awards, she received nominations for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year and Contemporary R&B and Soul Recording of the Year for Eastend Confessions. Her streaming metrics suggest a growing audience presence, with Give Me Time and Nasty among her most-streamed tracks. Her management is handled by mateswav, and she was previously associated with Daniel Ryan Kinney of Roc Nation. On social media, Zeina has used her platform not only to promote new music but also to engage with cultural and political issues. Around events in Lebanon such as the Beirut port explosion, she made public statements and shared personal reflections, offering a perspective that resonated deeply with her followers. In October 2024, she made a performance debut on MBC during the show Sabahel Kheir Ya Arab. Much of Zeina’s music is steeped in longing, for home, for connection, for identity. The song Suburbs, for instance, is described by her as a tribute to Montreal, where she has lived and where part of her heart resides. Her connection to place is often both tender and fraught, she returns to Montreal to recharge, citing it as her base when she is creatively uncertain. Zeina also foregrounds the hardships of being an artist, the emotional toll, the late nights, the lean times. She has recalled sleeping on a mattress on the floor in Los Angeles while hustling for opportunity, and how those experiences reoriented her relationship to success. For her, the road is part of the identity of the art. In her creative lexicon, loyalty is not a passing idea, it recurs. She questions not only romantic loyalty but loyalty between friends, to one’s cultural roots, and even to one’s own evolving self. On the flip side, betrayal and heartbreak feature often as well, though she tends to approach them with a voice of reflection rather than bitterness. Zeina does not shy away from her Arab roots, instead she gradually and purposefully weaves them into her sound. She has spoken about the decision to incorporate Arabic chants or samples, drawn from traditional Arab musical expressions, into her tracks. There is also an implicit ambition to bridge the otherness many Arab artists face in Western music circles. As a rising artist, Zeina faces common obstacles, carving a sustainable audience, balancing creative integrity with market pressures, negotiating linguistic and cultural borders, and expanding visibility beyond niche or regional audiences.  However, she also has unique advantages her multilingualism and bicultural identity make her resonant in more than one musical market. Her deep commitment to her artistic identity and her willingness to speak about the difficulties of her path lend her authenticity, a quality that fans often gravitate toward in a crowded musical landscape. Her Juno nominations, streaming growth, and performance appearances on broader media platforms suggest momentum is on her side. If she continues to push the boundaries of her sound, collaborate cross-culturally, and harness her visual and narrative sensibilities, she could well become a signature name in the next wave of global R&B. Zeina, known as Zeina Mates and managed under mateswav, is an artist who embodies the complexities and possibilities of our time. She

Alizey MirzaThe Face & Force Behind Biolite UAE By Michelle Clark In today’s world, where wellness, aesthetics, and lifestyle branding increasingly overlap, certain figures stand out not only for their personal elegance but also for how they shape the narrative of the brands they represent. One such figure is Alizey Mirza, known on Instagram as @a1izey, who has become a defining presence for Biolite UAE. With her association with @bioliteuae, @bybiolite, and @biolitehealthness, she embodies a modern image of transformation, innovation, and beauty, representing a generation that values both outer refinement and inner well-being. Alizey Mirza, known on Instagram as @a1izey, stands at the intersection of wellness, aesthetic innovation, and curated lifestyle branding. Her associations with @bioliteuae, @bybiolite, and @biolitehealthness reflect not only her personal identity but also her role as an ambassador, visionary, and public face for a clinic that positions itself at the cutting edge of aesthetic and regenerative health. With over 260,000 followers on social media, she communicates a blend of elegance, ambition, and health-forward values to a regional and global audience. From her Instagram posts, Alizey presents a life lived with intention, poise, and deliberate elegance. Whether unveiling new clinic treatments or sharing personal milestones, she fashions a narrative of transformation, physically, mentally, and aesthetically. Behind that narrative lies a strategic alignment; her personal brand and the Biolite group mutually amplify each other, each lending credibility and reach to the other. Biolite UAE is often portrayed in her feed as a flagship of innovation in the region. In several posts, she highlights how Biolite stands at the forefront of innovation, as the leading clinic in the region for aesthetics and regenerative health. She draws attention to awards and recognition, at one point applauding Forbes for acknowledging Biolite as a pioneer in the Middle East when it comes to wellness innovations, treatments, and techniques. In doing so, she positions the enterprise not just as a local clinic but as part of a global wellness vanguard. Her posts also reflect lifestyle touches that humanize the brand, announcing celebrations, hinting at milestones, or sharing luxury moments. In one video, she refers to herself as a “Porsche girl,” teasing a new chapter tied to luxury and automotive aesthetics. In another, she shows pride in Biolite’s status, writing “all eyes on @bioliteuae, proud to be the region’s leading clinic for aesthetics and regenerative medicine.” She underscores community and celebration in her feed, honoring events, hosting parties, and thanking clients and colleagues alike for their support. But beyond glamorous frames and aspirational images, Alizey’s appeal lies in what she embodies for many in the region, a synthesis of heritage, modern ambition, and self care. In markets like the UAE and the broader Gulf, aesthetic clinics are abundant, but what separates those that gain true prestige is often the narrative around them, their promise of safety, efficacy, forward thinking, aesthetic harmony, and alignment with cultural sensibilities. Alizey helps articulate that promise. She also appears to mobilize the emotional side of transformation. Her messaging speaks to confidence, renewal, and identity, how one looks on the outside can mirror how one feels inside. In doing so, she taps into the mindset of many clients seeking not just cosmetic change, but personal empowerment. She models that pursuit in her own feed, showing glimpses of treatments, behind the scenes moments, and personal reflections, blending the clinical with the intimate. There is a mutual strategy at play, Alizey lends her face, taste, and eyes to Biolite, while Biolite gives her gravitas, substance, and a platform to anchor her personal brand. When she highlights new treatments, facility upgrades, or awards for the clinic, those details bolster her own credibility as a tastemaker in wellness. And when she shares personal narratives or aspirational lifestyle content, that aura flows back and reinforces Biolite’s positioning as a clinic not just of technology, but of elevated experience. Yet this pathway is not without challenges. The intersection of aesthetic medicine and lifestyle branding is delicate, credibility matters, regulatory boundaries matter, trust matters. For Alizey to remain effective, her brand must sustain authenticity, transparency, and a sense of groundedness even while projecting luxury and advancement.  If followers or clients sense dissonance between image and actual outcomes, reputational cost could be steep. Moreover, aesthetic clinics operate in a competitive, high stakes environment where quality of care, safety, clinical results, and follow up matter heavily. The brand’s reputation depends not just on curated visuals but on real results and client satisfaction. Still, Alizey has advantages. Her large social following gives her direct access to potential clients. Her ability to weave narrative, of transformation, of identity, of elegance, gives emotional resonance to what might otherwise appear as technical treatments.  She seems comfortable navigating the language of both beauty and wellness, of luxury and healing. She also leverages cultural alignment, operating in a region where the pursuit of aesthetic enhancement is both aspirational and frequented, where clients often look for a combination of medical credibility and upscale presentation. If Alizey continues to evolve, she might deepen her role, perhaps launching signature treatment lines, expanding Biolite to new markets, publishing thought leadership content in wellness, or collaborating with international aesthetic and biotech brands. Her influence may also extend beyond clinic walls into wellness retreats, health technologies, or educational platforms. In essence, Alizey Mirza is more than a public face, she is a strategic brand architect of aesthetic wellness in the Middle East. She is cultivating a space where beauty, health, ambition, and identity converge. As the wellness and aesthetics sectors grow increasingly saturated, her ability to maintain authentic voice, strategic alignment, and high standards will determine whether she remains a leading name or becomes a cautionary note in branding. Alizey Mirza represents a new type of figure in the Middle East, one who merges personal branding with professional excellence in wellness and aesthetics. Through her work with Biolite, she showcases how elegance and innovation can coexist, how clinical credibility can be wrapped in lifestyle appeal, and how transformation can be both internal and external. As

Walid ElmusratiThe Happiest Traveler Redefining Storytelling By Sofia Lava Known to his global audience as “The Happiest Traveler”, Walid Elmusrati has built more than just a following, he has built a movement of joy, curiosity, and authenticity in the world of travel content creation. From hidden islands to bustling cities, his journey is not just about destinations, but about the stories and emotions that connect us all. “Happiness, for me, is waking up in a new place with childlike curiosity, ready to be surprised. It’s gratitude for the cultures, people, and stories I get to discover, and the energy comes from knowing every journey is a privilege. Everyday life already has its struggles, and I believe people don’t always want to see more problems. I stay real by sharing the true situations I face on the road, but joy grows when it’s shared. My storytelling is my way of passing that happiness on to others.” “My creative process starts long before I hit record, it often takes months, sometimes years, of planning. Many of the places I choose aren’t easy to access, and that challenge only makes me more determined. If there’s a story I believe needs to be told, it has to be done. My peak joy is when I finally arrive, whether it’s in Dubai, Switzerland, or Japan, and I can say to myself: I did it. That moment of achievement is what fuels the storytelling that follows.” “I started creating years ago, even before the word ‘social media’ became part of our lives. To now see a space like Creators HQ exist in Dubai makes me proud, the UAE has become the home of creators. What inspires me most is the team working day and night to make what never happened in the creator field possible.  For years, people thought we were just having fun, but now the UAE is building a real creator economy that can thrive. Being a founding member is more than a title, it’s a responsibility. My goal is to give back to this land and help more creators experience the life we’re privileged to live here.” “The Faroe Islands truly surprised me. It felt like exploring an unspoiled place, untouched, raw, and breathtaking.  Even the houses, with green grass roofs, blend into the landscape as if they’re part of nature itself. The locals made it feel like a small, close-knit world, and the fact that sheep outnumber humans there says it all. Unlike many trending destinations that lose their soul under mass tourism, the Faroe Islands reminded me what it feels like to discover a place still living in harmony with its identity.” “I’ve lived in places where I felt like just a number, faced racism, or was constantly reminded I was a foreigner. In Dubai, it’s completely different, everyone is treated with the same respect. That spirit of equality shaped how I see the world; it’s not about where you’re from, but how we connect as humans. Living in such a multicultural hub also means I’m exposed to the world every day without leaving the city. Dubai inspires me to dream bigger and carry that message of unity and openness in my storytelling. There is no place like home… Dubai.” “A story connects when people feel like they’re traveling with me. Emotions like joy, wonder, or hope don’t need translation. Authenticity is universal. While I’m constantly on the road, I remind myself that many people may only travel once or twice a year.  My responsibility is to make them live the experience with me. I share the full story, less polished, more raw, so people can trust what they see through my lens. When someone tells me they visited a place I featured and truly enjoyed it, that’s the real success of storytelling.” “The biggest lesson I learned was to love myself and value the time I spend alone.  On the road, you realize people may love you for a period of time or sometimes for a benefit, but solitude teaches you to enjoy the moment in its purest spirit. It opens the door to connect more deeply with locals and with the true heart of a place. My trips are never vacations, sometimes I spend eight hours on the road in one day just to film one place. But those challenges taught me something priceless, to appreciate solitude and self-love.” “Don’t chase trends, chase your voice. Be unique and different, don’t copy others. Travel storytelling isn’t about being better than someone else, it’s about showing the world through your eyes. This field has no manual, no boss, you are your own manager. That means risks, sacrifices, and long hours. But if you stay authentic and persistent, your story will connect. People value honesty more than perfection.” “What excites me now is exploring destinations that people haven’t seen much of before, the kind of places hidden from the usual maps. Maybe that will take me farther north or south than I’ve ever been, but I want my audience to feel they’re part of that discovery. At the same time, I’m working on something sustainable and long-term that goes beyond trips and content. I can’t reveal all the details yet, but big things are coming, and I want people to feel they’re part of this journey with me.”

Cartier’s New Bracelets and Ring, The Infinite Love Collection By Cynthia Mansour Cartier, a name that has long represented elegance, craftsmanship, and the essence of love. Since the introduction of the iconic Love Bracelet in 1969, born during a period of cultural and artistic revolution, the Maison has remained faithful to one message: the infinite bond between two people. Today, that legacy continues with the launch of The Infinite Love Collection, a series of bracelets and rings that renew Cartier’s vision of eternal connection. While the concept behind the collection remains loyal to the original Love Bracelet, Cartier reinterprets it with a modern and symbolic gesture. The Infinite Love Collection expresses unlimited love, capturing the same emotional depth that made the original design an icon, yet through a completely new form. After years of development and more than one hundred prototypes, Cartier perfected this collection with a focus on both emotional meaning and mechanical mastery. One of the most remarkable features is the invisible clasp system, allowing the bracelets to be attached to one another, a direct expression of the word “infinite.” This design symbolizes the idea that love continues endlessly, connecting one piece to another just as people connect to one another. Cartier explains that the bracelet “wraps around the body like a love connection.”  Unlike the first Love Bracelet, which opened and closed with a single screw, this new design features a smooth and flexible structure that closes invisibly. It is unisex, made from approximately two hundred components, and demonstrates a rare level of mechanical precision in fine jewelry. The result is a bracelet that is both symbolic and technically exceptional. Cartier also associates this collection with its powerful emblem, the Panther, a figure that has defined the Maison’s identity for over a century. The Panther represents strength, elegance, and independence, and reflects the free-spirited, fearless, and passionate character that Cartier celebrates. It embodies confidence, power, and seduction, while maintaining a sense of grace and sophistication.  Often described as bold yet refined, the panther mirrors the emotional depth of love itself: wild, delicate, and endlessly captivating. Through this symbol, Cartier adds another layer of meaning to the Infinite Love Collection, portraying love as both powerful and free. This collection has received diverse reactions. Many admirers praise its innovation, craftsmanship, and the modern message it conveys, a symbol of love that evolves rather than remains fixed.  Others expressed concerns about its technical complexity, such as the bracelet’s flexibility or the fact that it can be unlocked, which contrasts with the original design’s permanently closed structure. There were also questions about details such as size and gold purity. However, Cartier positioned the collection clearly: it represents “love without limits.” While the first Love Bracelet locked love in place, this new creation celebrates growth, connection, and freedom.  Still, beyond opinions, many continue to admire Cartier’s storytelling, the emotional power of opening that signature red box and discovering not just a piece of jewelry, but a story of affection and artistry. This collection also invites reflection. Will Cartier one day reshape its vision of love to reflect modern relationships, or will it remain loyal to its timeless values? And can the Infinite Love ever reach the same legendary status as the original Love Bracelet?  Regardless of the answers, Cartier’s dedication to authenticity, quality, and emotion remains unchanged. Through every creation, the Maison continues to remind us of something precious, that love still exists, and it can be captured.