Life

Welcome to EW‘s weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.
The week we chat to Jana Khoury, who was previously Communications Director for Christian Loubiton and is now co-founder of sustainable brand Anaskela. As staycation and outdoor season kicks off in the UAE, the brand offers the most beautiful pieces for fabulous days at the beach. Inspired by their endless summers on the beaches of Greece during childhood, the founders of Anaskela wanted to create a towel that was more conducive to travel. Style and function aside, each towel’s unique textile composition is made using fibres made from recycled PET bottles. Each Anaskela towel removes plastic bottles from a landfill or the ocean and re-purposes them into your towel.

EW sat down with Khoury to find out more about the brand, her career and what made her want to enter the realm of ethical luxury.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Art and maths – I’m a typical Virgo.
What was your first job?

An internship at Men’s Health magazine in London, working with the Style Editor. My first ‘real’ job was in PR at Hugo Boss in London.
What inspired you to launch Anaskela?
The idea came from my business partner Melissa, when she was travelling around the Greek Islands with her family. Lugging around 4 bulky beach towels felt laborious, so she searched for an alternative. She came across microfibre gym towels and wanted to create a better version for the beach and for travel in general. We always wanted to work on something together so she brought the idea to me and I loved it… the rest is history!

Can you talk us through the sustainable focus of your brand?
We never wanted to create more ‘things’ to put out into the world, so from the start we knew that whatever we ended up creating had to already exist materially. We researched for months and discovered that there was a way to create the yarn used to make the towels from repurposed PET bottles, which not only meant recycling single-use plastics into long-term use products, but it also meant keeping plastic out of landfills and the ocean. We also love the idea that you buy one qualitative item that is made to last, and that is what we aim for with our towels.
What are the key elements of your role?
Melissa and I work together on absolutely everything, from design to logistics. The joy and pain of being a small team! Luckily we’ve been friends for most of our lives and it just works.
How do you design the product?
We set aside some time when we are in Greece together, usually by a beautiful beach, and work on the new collections. We usually start with a concept or an idea, and build on that.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps, looking to enter the world of ethical luxury?
I think ‘ethical’ and ‘sustainable’ are going to become essential for any consumer brand. If you’re launching a brand, incorporate these elements from the start, not only because customers will soon demand it, but because we all need to work to create a better world and a cleaner planet.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
If you try and be or do something that doesn’t reflect you as a person, it will appear inauthentic and won’t work anyway.
And what is the worst?
Bad advice is only bad if you take it… and so far so good!
What has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome with Anaskela – it must have been tough through the pandemic?
When the pandemic hit at the start of our season, we were concerned but acted quickly and decided to focus our efforts on markets like Greece where cases were relatively low and people still went on local trips throughout the spring and summer months. Our quick action paid off and so we got through the last few months relatively unscathed. We’ve learned quickly that it’s important to be flexible, especially in uncharted waters like these!
What is to come from this exciting new brand?
We’re excited to now be shipping to many countries in the Middle East! Apart from that we’ve often been told that the towels make great gifts, so we’ve just launched an illustrated gift box! Although travel is not on the agenda right now, we love the idea of gifting ‘the promise’ of travel. Everyone is looking forward to being able to holiday freely again. Also, we are donating 10% of profits from the boxes to WWF Greece who have been focusing much of their efforts on preventing ocean waste due to discarded PPE as a result of the pandemic. Finally, we’re launching a new collection in the new year!
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While many of us would have had some mammoth travel plans in place at the beginning of 2020, this was all put on hold due to the ongoing pandemic.
However, as we draw to the close of the year, travel restrictions are lifting with many countries no longer requiring lengthy quarantine periods on arrival. EW has rounded up the ultimate list of destinations where UAE residents can currently travel to without the need for a 14-day quarantine. But there are certain requirements for each destination, so make sure you check before booking anything.

Also, be mindful of travelling back to the UAE. Whilst in Dubai you just need a negative COVID-19 PCR test, there is currently a 14-day quarantine period in place in Abu Dhabi for any returning residents, as well as visitors.
With that, here’s the ultimate round-up of destinations which currently don’t have any quarantine restrictions for tourists.
Morocco

All those visiting must present a negative COVID PCR test taken within 48 hours of their departure as this picturesque country has opened its borders to tourist arrivals from more than 60 destinations which includes the UAE.
Bahrain

Arrivals from 182 countries are able to travel to Bahrain after having paid for and undergone a COVID PCR test upon arrival at the airport and need to self-isolate only until their negative results are provided.
Seychelles

Travellers from low and medium risk countries are permitted to travel to the Seychelles, including travellers from the UAE, provided they present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, and upload the results, as well as their travel details.
Malta

The gorgeous island of Malta has reopened its doors for tourism earlier in July, where visitors are now not required to self-quarantine upon arrival but might need to do thermal screenings. A self-declaration form must also be filled to showcase their travels in the last 30 days.
Croatia

This beautiful place is welcoming tourists who present a negative PCR test on arrival that is received within the past 48 hours. A travel announcement form along with proof of pre-booked accommodation needs to be given.
Greece

A destination that’s often bustling with A-listers, can also be on your list of potential places to visit this season. Arrivals from some countries – including Spain and the UAE – must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight. Twenty four hours before entering Greece, visitors must complete a passenger locator form (PLF) where they will provide their contact details in the country.
Kenya

With outdoor activities such as boating, game drives, bungee jumping and helicopter rides having resumed, this nature-infused country is one of the most refreshing destinations to visit. Travellers must get tested for COVID-19 before arrival, and must be able to present a PCR test certificate by a recognised facility. The test must be taken within 48 hours from the date of departure.
Zimbabwe

With outdoor activities such as boating, game drives, bungee jumping and helicopter rides having resumed, this nature-infused country is one of the most refreshing destinations to visit. Travellers must get tested for COVID-19 before arrival, and must be able to present a PCR test certificate by a recognised facility. The test must be taken within 48 hours from the date of departure.
Barbados

The dreamy island nation that’s heavily reliant on tourism is separating arrivals into low, medium and high-risk countries, with various requirements depending on the country of arrival. All tourists are encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to travel and submit their results for fast-tracking upon arrival. Those that don’t take a test before travelling must do so on arrival. Masks must be worn at the airport, and arrivals will undergo health screenings too.
South Africa

Home to an array of adventure sports and activities, tourists who are permitted to travel from low-risk countries to South Africa are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure, and also expect to undergo temperature checks at the airport. On arrival, travellers will also be asked to download the government’s contact tracing app for their entire visit to South Africa.
Maldives

If you’re looking for a luxurious escape, the Maldives is the perfect place to travel to. All arrivals must be able to present a COVID-19 PCR negative certificate, taken no more than 96 hours prior to departure. However, different rules apple for those who wish to go island hopping.
Egypt

This historic place is now welcoming tourists in possession of a negative PCR test certificate, issued within 72 hours of travel, and in paper format from an accredited laboratory with visitors required to wear their face masks out in public and follow the necessary social distancing rules.
Switzerland

If you wish to visit somewhere cold this season, the home of snow and luxury chocolates is open to those residing in the UAE no longer have to quarantine when travelling to Switzerland. However, note that the European/Schengen states (to which Switzerland belongs) still have entry regulations in place for certain nationalities/residents. It’s, therefore, necessary to check the requirements before making a booking.
United Kingdom

With the new rules, travellers flying to the UK from the UAE need not self-isolate for a period of two weeks, which is perfect for the winter feels except for those that have visited places that are not on the travel corridor list for the UK. However, those travelling are required to fill a passenger locator form and must adhere to the social distancing rules while wearing a facemask in public areas.
Montenegro

The almost fairytale-like region located south of Croatia on the Adriatic coast is welcoming tourists from ‘green list’ countries including the UAE. All must wear masks and observed social distancing with any parties being forbidden.
Tanzania

This stunning country has opened its borders without having to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. A health screening needs to be submitted with instructions followed as per the country’s COVID-19 laws.
Turkey

All passengers must wear a face mask while travelling, and may be subject to a COVID-19 health screening on arrival with a passenger information form that needs to be filled.
For any rules or updates, pertaining to each country please visit their respective websites on more information from their governments.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram, Feature image: Naladhu Private Island Maldives More

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid welcomed their first child together just over two months ago and it seems the baby girl is meeting her paternal side of the family for the first time.
The singer’s mother, Trisha Malik, recently shared an Instagram story with her 500,000 followers thanking her son’s girlfriend for her cooking.

The post hints that Malik’s mother travelled from the UK, where she resides, to the US to meet the couple’s first child together.
Throughout the pandemic, Malik and Hadid were residing in Pennsylvania, where Hadid’s mother, Yolanda Hadid, has a farm. The pair have also been spotted in New York City where the supermodel has a penthouse apartment in Manhattan.

Trisha’s recent trip to the US will most likely be the first time she’s meeting her granddaughter due to the travel restrictions which have been in place globally due to the pandemic.
Like their relationship, Malik and Hadid have been keeping details about their daughter under wraps.
The pair have shared some photo of the newborn recently, but have made sure to keep their daughter’s face hidden or only photos of the newborn’s hand had been shown.
Similarly, to date, the name of baby Hadid-Malik has been kept private, but according to E! News, the newborn’s moniker is “unique”.

Hadid’s pregnancy was first reported on back in April. The model first spoke of her pregnancy – news which was revealed in the press and not by herself or Malik – during a video call appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, admitting they would have liked to reveal the news on their “own terms”, but also thanked everyone for their congratulations.
“Obviously, we wish we could’ve announced it on our own terms, but we’re very excited and happy and grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support,” she said at the time.
 – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Instagram, Feature Image: Getty More