Features

PARIS — The Paris Fashion Week menswear shows draw to an close on Sunday. Here are some of the highlights among the 40-plus runway shows of the past few days.

Quiet luxury

The watchword of high-end fashion last year was quiet luxury, thanks in large part to the success of TV show “Succession”.

Whether out of guilt at deepening social inequality or for the love of classic tailoring, the trend showed no sign of abating in Paris this week.

Fashion site Culted said AMI was a leading example, highlighting the “timelessness of a garment and rejecting the trend cycle altogether”, with its expertly tailored suits and trench coats in autumnal tones.

Online fashion firm Hypebeast argued that it was Hermes who should be seen as the “epitome of quiet luxury”, with its long leather coats and heavy knitwear in a sombre palette of blacks, greys and browns.

Dior was also a classy affair, as designer Kim Jones used a show dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev to present some haute couture takes on kaftans, turbans and stage costumes beloved of the ballet legend.

And not-so-quiet 

There were lots of roses, red lips and polka dots among the sparkly reworkings of tuxedos and classic suits at Balmain’s first menswear show in several years.

“It’s luxury, but it’s definitely not quiet,” Designer Olivier Rousteing told fashion site WWD.

The show, which he described as a celebration of African style, was full of bold colours, innovative shapes, luxurious facial jewellery and gold bags — tasteful but very bling and ended with an appearance by the queen of divas, Naomi Campbell.

Every goth’s favourite designer, Rick Owens, is always a highlight for fashion experts. His latest show was more low-key than normal in its setting — at his Paris atelier — but there was the usual shock factor.

Alongside the familiar stilts, pagoda-like shoulders and dilated black pupils were a new highlight: Huge rubber boots — something between a condom and a missile warhead — that the designer himself called “grotesque and inhuman” in their proportions.

 Celeb-spotting 

Celebrity presence has always been a big part of the fashion game, with sporting tie-ups playing an increasingly big role.

New York label KidSuper scored big by convincing Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho to walk the catwalk.

Loewe is always a celebrity hotspot, and Saturday’s show saw actors Jamie Dornan and Nicholas Hoult and popstar Zayn Malik on the front row.

Louis Vuitton has gone a step further, naming a celebrity from outside the fashion world as its creative director last year, hip-hop star Pharrell Williams.

His American West-themed show, full of cowboy hats and rhinestones, attracted Bradley Cooper and rapper Playboi Carti, while British trad-rockers Mumford and Sons debuted new song “Good People” at the after-party.

Perhaps the coolest A-listers were reserved for 80-year-old Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto, who featured cult German director Wim Wenders and “Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus on the catwalk, while football legend Zinedine Zidane watched from the front row.

A long-awaited, stylishly slinky and swift spiritual sports car successor to Jaguar’s iconic 1961-74 E-Type, the F-Type was much-feted upon its 2013 arrival, and intended to re-instill Jaguar’s model range with a sporting heritage.

Bringing a much missed feelgood factor and sprightly sensibility, it soldiers on — a decade and face-lift later — with no identified successor in the wings.

However, with Jaguar’s focus now turning to bulky crossovers and uninspiring electrification, the lithe F-Type is more viscerally appealing than ever, and at its purest in rear-wheel-drive V8-powered P450 Convertible specification.

Succeeding a car described as “the most beautiful car ever made” by no less than Enzo Ferrari, the F-Type’s seductive lines, jutting edges and Coke-bottle curves convincingly captured much of the E-Type’s appeal for a modern era among bluntly aggressive competitors.

Little changed mechanically since, the it has seen upgraded tech, features and variants, but its most radical revision was the 2019 adoption of a more contemporarily conformative horizontally-oriented fascia, with an almost obligatory slim, scowling and heavily browed shark-like headlights and grille combo, in place of its originally upbeat and fresh vertically swept back design.

Feel the power

Powered by slightly detuned version of the 2013 “V8 S” launch variant’s 488BHP direct injection 5-liter supercharged engine, the re-designated P450 now slots neatly between the 296BHP 4-cylinder entry-level F-Type and highly tuned range-topping 567BHP V8 variant.

Hardly less brutal with 444BHP at 6,000rpm and 428lb/ft at 2,500-5,000rpm delivering it through 0-100km/h in 4.6-seconds, the P450 tops out at 285km/h. Its enviable headline figures however don’t relate the muscularity of its V8 engine, which with a mechanically-driven Roots-type supercharger delivers instant off-the-line boost and immediacy, and indefatigable full spectrum vigor that turbochargers cannot match.

The P450’s relentlessly seamless power accumulation is underwritten by a generously ever-present torque torrent that plateaus through a broad mid-range for effortless on-the-move response and versatility at almost any speed or gear.

This is complemented with a slick and quick shifting 8-speed automatic gearbox, which operates like a torque converter auto for setting-off smoothly from first and second, but uses fully-locking clutches for crisp and sportily direct cog changes thereafter.

The F-Type’s massive ventilated disc brakes, meanwhile, rein in its immense performance and 1,793kg mass with reassuring power and fade resistance.

Feline finesse

Precise, agile, responsive and engaging with its direct and quick steering and near perfect weight distribution, the F-Type well-reconciles dynamic handling and ride qualities, and is reassuringly stable and refined at speed. Smooth and sure-footed through tight winding and imperfect B-roads, its double wishbone adaptive suspension irons out imperfections with fluency, despite firm low profile tyres. Designed as a convertible from scratch, the F-Type’s lightweight bonded and riveted aluminium frame’s rigidity aids handling and ride comfort, without the scuttle shake often plaguing less rigid convertibles.

Brisk, balanced, poised and engaging cross-country, the P450 channels its ample output through an electronic limited-slip rear-differential, which directs power to the wheel best able to put it down for agility and stability when powering through tight or low traction corners. In its element on such roads, it is eager and crisp turning-in, and taut, poised and flat through corners. Rewarding and effective, the P450, however, demands respect and focus in low traction switchbacks, where it is better controlled and progressive unleashing power in its more forgiving “winter” gearbox setting. 

Hear the roar

Carving through snaking lanes with buttoned down grace and brisk pace, the P450 lets out a guttural exhaust rort as it rapidly downshifts, before tidily darting into a corner.

Balanced and controlled out of the apex, the F-Type leaps onto the straight to a ferociously pounding, evocatively throaty, rumbling, crackling and bellowing soundtrack made all the more viscerally amplified with its active exhaust system engaged and roof stowed away.

Rewarding driving finesse with fluency, the F-type’s electronic stability and traction controls meanwhile operate effectively and intuitively with the driver when called into action.

The F-Type’s elegant interior is low-slung, driver-focused and distinctly sporty, and is decked with quality materials and textures, including stitched leathers.

With a distinctly sporty ambiance, the F-type features a supportive, body-hugging and comfortable driving position, and a thick, contoured steering wheel with gearbox paddle shifters.

The F-Type’s heating and airflow enable top-down winter driving, while the cabin is well-insulated with its quick electric folding fabric roof raised. A 233-litre boot is meanwhile acceptable, if not generous, but a slinky and flush rear deck design makes it somewhat shallow.

Jaguar F-Type P450 Convertible

• Engine: 5-liter, supercharged, V8-cylinders
• Bore x stroke: 92.5 x 93mm
• Compression ratio: 9.5:1
• Valve-train: 32-valve, DOHC, variable timing, direct injection
• Gearbox: 8-speed auto, rear-wheel-drive, electronic limited-slip rear-differential
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 444 (450) [331] @6,000rpm
• Specific power: 88.7BHP/liter
• Power-to-weight ratio: 247.5BHP (297PS)/tonne (kerb)
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 428 (580) @2,500-5,000rpm
• Specific torque: 116Nm/liter
• Torque-to-weight ratio: 323.5Nm/tonne (kerb)
• 0-100 km/h: 4.6-seconds
• Top speed: 285km/h
• Fuel economy, combined: 10.8-liters/100km
• Combined CO2 emissions: 245g/km
• Length: 4,470mm
• Width: 1,923mm
• Height: 1,307mm
• Wheelbase: 2,622mm
• Track, F/R: 1,584 / 1,628mm
• Boot capacity: 233-litres
• Unladen / kerb weight: 1,718/1,793kg
• Suspension, F&R: Double wishbones, coil springs, adaptive dampers, stabilizer bars
• Steering: Electromechanical rack & pinion
• Lock-to-lock: 2.34-turns
• Turning circle: 10.63-meters
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs, 380 / 376mm
• Tires, F/R: 255/35R20 / 295/30R20

By Dr Tareq Rasheed,
International Consultant and Trainer 

COVID-19 set all organisations under a big challenge; how could processes and work proceed

with the lockdown that was announced in March 2020? Schools, universities and academic institutions were directly impacted by the lockdowns.

Students and youth represent, in most countries, the majority of the population. So, the sustainability of education posed a challenge for the ministries of education and decision makers in academic institutions.

A digital transformation

 To ensure the continuity of education in schools and universities, the decision was taken to transfer education online. In a world of digital transformation, many strategies, tools and techniques were adopted to ensure achieving strategic goals during this crisis.

Advantages of online education

There are several advantages that proved to support the effectiveness of this strategy in education. The main benefits are:

1. Continuity of Education: Without online solutions, for many, it was impossible to continue the education process during the lockdown, where face-to-face education was impossible.

2. Health Protection: During the COVID-19 lockdown, there were many who were infected by the virus incurring a lot of health problems — many people lost their lives in this pandemic. Therefore, online education was a means of containing the spread of the virus.

3. Time Investment: Online education saved time on transportation to and from schools, which, on average, takes one hour for most students.

4. Safety: Due to lockdowns, streets were empty and thus health, safety and environment standards were brought to new levels with fewer accidents.

5. Family Relations and Communication: Family relations, connections and communication were enhanced during the lockdown. This allowed for more time spent with parents and care givers, and to engage with the educational process with their children and teens.

6. Recorded Lessons: Since all classes and lectures were recorded and available, any student that did not understand the lecture initially could get back to the recording However, there are challenges to online education.

Lack of Engagement: The main advantage of face-toface education is the full engagement of teachers and students, as well as students’ interaction together Lack of Online Curricula: In several countries, ministries of education do not have support for an online curriculum covering all topics and all educational stages. 

This impacted the educational process negatively  Lack of Internet: In some poor countries, there is either a lack of effective Internet connectivity, or it may be expensive for ministries of education to go with the alternative of online education No Internet Infrastructure: In some poor countries, there is no internet infrastructure and thus a large number of students did not have the opportunity to learn during the crisis Unequipped Teachers in Handling Online Solutions: Some teachers did not have efficient training to use online solutions effectively.

This introduced a challenge to teachers, affecting the trust between teachers and students for having incompetent teachers where, in fact, they were just poorly trained. 

Difficulty in Measuring the Educational Output: The most challenging outcome was for teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching process and to assess student knowledge and skills in the subjects that were taught. In some countries, the real output of education was very weak especially in lower classes. In the latter situation, there are several difficulties related to student engagement and the ability to supervise them Absence of Being Online: The most important question was how to ensure that students were attending classes, especially as some did not open their cameras or microphones? So, apparently, students were online as their names appeared on the screens, but were they really present? Cheating: As educational experts working with several organisations and ministries, we noticed a lot of cheating by students; the most terrible of which was when some mothers were helping their children to answer questions!! Due to the challenges faced, ministries of education are invited to discuss the lessons learnt from COVID-19, and how to modify our online solutions for better effectiveness. In a world of rapid digital transformation, all educational sectors and organisations should be able to effectively support solutions that maintain the educational output at the highest standards possible.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

PARIS — The director of Zac Efron’s heartbreaking new wrestling film, “The Iron Claw”, said it was a battle to keep the emotional star from turning on the waterworks during filming.

Efron, who made his name in wholesome Disney films like “High School Musical”, is almost unrecognisable thanks to the extreme bodybuilding preparation he did for the role as real-life wrestler Kevin Von Erich.

But director Sean Durkin said the biggest challenge was keeping him from crying.

“Zac is such a committed, generous guy. He’s so full of emotion,” Durkin told AFP.

“So much of the direction was telling him, ‘Don’t cry — not yet, not yet!’ Until we shot the final scene on the final day and I could say: ‘OK, now you can let it all out.’

“And he did, for take after take after take.”

Fans of Hollywood hunks Efron and Jeremy Allen White may be excited to see them parade around a ring half-naked for much of the new movie.

But they should be prepared for one of the grimmest portrayals of American sports ever put on screen, in the true-life tale of the Von Erich wrestling family from the 1970s and 1980s, who were pushed into tragedy by a success-obsessed father.

“Iron Claw”, which features White’s first major role since his award-winning turn in hit series “The Bear” and a much-discussed Calvin Klein ad, is being released around Europe in the coming weeks.

It may focus on the world of US wrestling, with its unlikely mix of athleticism and pantomime, but it is really about the “lie of the American Dream”, Durkin said — the idea that pushing to be the best at any cost is the only way to survive.

“It’s pertinent now because we finally have language about mental health, but it’s only in the last couple years that you hear athletes talking about it,” the 42-year-old director said.

The early days of wrestling were particularly extreme, with performers on the road most of the year with little support.

“These guys were putting their bodies on the line day after day for entertainment’s sake and if they couldn’t wrestle, they were done,” said Durkin.

“The irony is they express all these emotions in the ring — the highest highs, the lowest lows — but they get backstage and they aren’t allowed to show any of it because of this old-school nonsense notion of what it means to be a man.”

SAN JOSÉ, United States — Samsung on Wednesday released its latest Galaxy smartphones with new artificial intelligence features as the South Korean giant seeks win back its spot as the world’s biggest phone seller from Apple.

“Artificial Intelligence will bring about great change in the mobile industry,” Samsung President T.M. Roh said as he kicked off an event in a sports center in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose, California.

Mobile devices will become the primary access points for AI, with Samsung aiming to be a leader on that path, Roh added.

The premium S24 Ultra unveiled at the event was said to have the capability to translate foreign language phone calls and texts while they were taking place.

A Samsung executive likened it to having an interpreter taking part in multilingual phone calls.

Available in 13 languages, the on-device function is powered by Samsung’s own AI technology.

Through a partnership with Google, which makes the smartphone’s Android operating system, the S24 also offers an unprecedented search function.

This, also using AI, functions by allowing users to simply circle a phrase or image they want to search.

The feature eliminates the need to juggle between apps for searches with meddlesome cut and pasting, the company said.

Messaging and car system features such as navigation were also augmented with AI to either recommend responses or tend to tasks while letting drivers focus on roads.

AI also strengthens the phone’s camera powers, with generative AI helping to fill in or remove backgrounds.

These AI features are powered both from the cloud or from the phone itself and several use Google’s Gemini foundational model that also powers the search engine giant’s Bard chatbot.

Similar AI features are widely rumored to be part of the next iPhone 16, probably to be released later this year.

Much like Apple’s already released iPhone 15, Samsung’s S24 comes with a titanium frame, which the company said allowed for better durability.

The Galaxy S24 series will begin shipping on January 31 with the top of line Ultra starting at $1,299.

The S24 came out just days after industry data showed that Apple’s iPhone for the first time became the world’s biggest selling smartphone after Samsung’s 12-year run as leader.

According to the International Data Corporation, the iPhone stole Samsung’s crown in 2023 with 234.6 million units sold, compared to the South Korean firm’s 226.6 million units.

Samsung also teased a smart ring at the end of the event, providing a glimpse on screen but giving no details.

LOS ANGELES — Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” has been named the greatest movie to ever premiere at Sundance, as the influential US indie movie festival prepares to celebrate its 40th edition this week.

The intense drama about a jazz drumming student and his bullying teacher was ranked the best of roughly 4,000 feature films ever presented at the Utah-based fest, which champions new and independent movies from upcoming directors, in a survey released on Tuesday.

It fended off the likes of Quentin Tarantino’s debut movie “Reservoir Dogs”, which finished second, and Jordan Peele’s “Get Out”, ranked third in a poll voted on by more than 500 festival-linked filmmakers, critics and dealmakers.

Rounding out the poll’s top five were “Little Miss Sunshine”, in fourth, and Christopher Nolan’s “Memento”, ranked fifth.

Co-founded by Robert Redford and held in wintry sub-zero temperatures at an altitude of 2,150 metres, Sundance is a key launching pad for the careers of many of the industry’s leading filmmakers.

“Whiplash”, which opened the 2014 Sundance festival — where it won top audience and jury awards — went on to win three Oscars, including best supporting actor for J.K. Simmons.

Chazelle went on to become the youngest ever winner of the Academy Award for best director with his next movie, 2016’s “La La Land”, and has since directed “First Man” and “Babylon”.

Two Richard Linklater movies made the Sundance top 10 — “Boyhood” and “Before Sunrise” — along with Alfonso Cuaron’s “Y Tu Mama Tambien” and the Coen brothers’ first feature film “Blood Simple”.

Both Linklater and Soderbergh have new projects debuting at this year’s festival.

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday until January 28 in Park City and Salt Lake City, with some movies available online in the United States over its final weekend.

Stars due to attend to promote their new films include Kristen Stewart, Steven Yeun, Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin and Saoirse Ronan.

Launched in 2019 as the ragtop variant of the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, the Volante — or convertible in Aston-speak — beautifully interprets its fixed-head coupe sister’s ability to walk a fine line between indulgent grand tourer and all-out supercar. 

If somewhat heavier at 1,863kg, owing to body reinforcement to make up for the loss of a roof, the Volante nevertheless returns similarly impressive performance figures, but also arguably ups the ante in terms of style and desirability with its elegantly uncomplicated but viscerally-charged open air take on the DBS design.

Seductively swooping yet radiating a palpably predatory in it athletic urgency, the Volante — like its Coupe sister — avoids outright brutish aggression in its design. It instead reconciles sensual Coke-bottle hips with a vast hungry mesh grille and other telltale performance and aerodynamic details including sharp sills, air dam, deep front intakes, side ports, bonnet extraction vent and air splitter. Its pert, jutting deck meanwhile perfectly complements its snouty bonnet.

The Volante also retains effective airflow management, and can generate a similarly impressive 177kg of downforce at its 340km/h top speed.

Explosively epic

Positioned low and far back under its salaciously long and curvy bonnet to ensure a low centre of gravity, the Superleggera’s engine is counterbalanced by a rear-mid mounted 8-speed automatic transaxle gearbox to achieve ideal 50:50 within wheelbase weight distribution. 

A highly tuned version of Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, the DBS’s gloriously ample power plant develops an explosively epic 715BHP at 6,500rom and 663lb/ft torque throughout a broad and easily accessible 1,800-5,000rpm mid-range for effortlessly muscular on the move versatility and overtaking ability.

Rocketing through the 0-100km/h benchmark in 3.6-seconds and 0-161km/h in 6.7-seconds, the Superleggera also incorporates a comparatively short and aggressive 2.93:1 final drive ratio for enhanced off the line responsiveness. Progressively urgent in accumulating power, the DBS’ peaky output is underwritten by an indefatigably deep and forcefully flexible torque reserve. 

Ferocious in delivery yet velvety smooth in operation, the Superleggera’s engine even feels similar to a naturally-aspirated one in how its twin-turbos swiftly spool up and how seamlessly it wells up to its full boost potential.

Vocal and visceral

With a broad acoustic medley that starts with a bass-heavy idle to a thundering mid-range and urgently screaming rise to its redline, the scintillating V12 soundtrack pumping through the Superleggera’s quad exhaust ports becomes even more potently vocal in Sport+ driving mode. 

Smooth yet responsive in default mode, its automatic transaxle gearbox similarly adopts a more immediate, succinct and aggressive shift pattern when selecting sportier driving modes. 

One can meanwhile opt for a more interactive manual mode, with cog changes executed through fixed steering column-mounted paddle shifters.

Riding on front double wishbone and rear multilink adaptive suspension the DBS is every bit the settled and reassuringly planted and comfortable continent-shrinking grand tourer that is expected on an Aston. It is however far more than a high speed express, but is a sportingly focused supercar. 

With direct, well-weighted and quick 2.27-turn steering that is precise and feelsome, but not fidgety, the Superleggera turns in with immediacy and taut body control.  

Agile and balanced, it delivers intuitively exacting reactions and movements, but is resilient to unprovoked understeer and oversteer.

Connected and committed

A reassuring and connected drive, the Superleggera manages its massive power through effective but unintrusive electronic stability and traction, and brake-based torque vectoring systems, and a limited-slip rear differential for enhanced agility. 

Taut and nimble with precise reflexes, the Superleggera also inspires confidence with its intuitive handling and cornering commitment, and a level of road-holding above many similar cars’ grip levels. 

Its ride is meanwhile settled and buttoned down yet smooth and forgiving in default mode, but becomes firm and more focused in Sport and Sport+ modes.

Shrinking around the driver with its intuitive and involving characteristics and good front visibility, the Superleggera is easily placed through corners, while its blind spot warning and cameras provide confidence in confined spaces. With high quality leathers, materials and textures, and extensive comfort, safety and infotainment features, it has an extravagantly sporty ambiance with a supportively comfortable driving position and small occasional use rear seats for added practicality. 

Rising in 16-seconds for a refined cabin environment, the DBS’ roof meanwhile lowers in just 14-second for a visceral al fresco experience.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: 5.2-litre, twin-turbocharged V12-cylinders
• Compression ratio: 9.3:1
• Valve-train: 48-valve, DOHC
• Gearbox: rear-mounted 8-speed automatic
• Drive-line: Rear-wheel-drive, limited-slip differential
• Final drive: 2.93:1
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 715 (725) [533] @6,500rpm
• Specific power: 137.4BHP/litre
• Power-to-weight: 383.8BHP/tonne
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 663 (900) @1,800-5,000rpm
• Specific torque: 172.9Nm/litre
• Torque-to-weight: 483Nm/tonne
• 0-100km/h: 3.6-seconds
• 0-161km/h: 6.7-seconds
• Top speed: 340km/h
• Fuel consumption, combined: 14-litres/100km
• Length: 4,715mm
• Width: 1,970mm
• Height: 1,295mm
• Wheelbase: 2,805mm
• Ground clearance: 90mm
• Overhang, F/R: 915/995mm
• Track, F/R: 1,665/1,645mm
• Approach  / departure angles: 9.5° / 13°
• Dry weight: 1,863kg
• Weight distribution, F/R: 50% / 50%
• Steering: Electric-assisted rack & pinion
• Steering ratio: 13.09:1
• Lock-to-lock: 2.27-turns
• Turning circle: 12.3-metres
• Suspension: Double wishbones / multilink, adaptive dampers
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated ceramic discs 410mm/360mm
• Brake calipers, F/R: 6-/4-piston calipers
• Tyres, F/R: 265/35ZR21 / 305/30ZR21

By Tara Ensour,
Nutritionist 

There are millions of natural bacteria in the gut. These microscopic organisms play a crucial part

in our health. Probiotics are good bacteria that boost the collection of millions of beneficial microorganisms that live in our gut.

The gut has a pre-existing pool of microorganisms known as the gut flora. These are mainly bacteria but can also include viruses and fungi. The gut flora has many metabolic activities and has been linked to multiple health functions. On the other hand, an unbalanced gut flora can cause numerous diseases and unpleasant symptoms. Probiotics have multiple benefits and play a big role in your overall health.

1.Mental health New research has shown that probiotics can improve your mental health and an imbalance in the gut microflora can be linked to depression.

2. Immunity A diverse gut microbiome has also been linked to immunity benefits.

3. Digestion Probiotics play a role in digestive health as well. They aid digestion, help reduce constipation and can help irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients control certain symptoms, like bloating.

Did you know?

A mother’s food intake during pregnancy can influence a baby’s microbiome.

Moreover, a baby that is breastfed will get probiotics from its mother’s milk. Nowadays,  many milk formulae are supplemented with probiotics to ensure that formula-fed babies benefit from similar health benefits.

There are so many probiotic products on the market, all claiming major health benefits. But remember that not all probiotics are created equal. Different   probiotics have been linked to help with different illnesses. This is why choosing the right probiotic is important. If unsure, liaise closely with your healthcare professional to help you decide which probiotic strain is best to use to address your condition.

Probiotics are found in our food. Popular food sources of probiotics include yoghurt and fermented food like kimchi and kefir. Even though probiotics can be obtained through food, probiotic supplements are a popular way of increasing them.

Supplements may have one or multiple strains of beneficial bacteria, either alive or heat-killed. With that said, probiotic supplements are not necessary if your diet includes them. Seek professional advice before starting a supplement, to ensure that using it is right for you and to find the one best suited for your needs.

Remember

Do not confuse probiotics with prebiotics, as they are not the same thing! While we already acknowledged that probioitcs are live microorganisms, prebiotics are non-digestible dietary fibres. They act as the fuel that probiotics feed on to grow. Prebiotic sources include garlic, wholegrain cereals, bananas, and legumes.

Can probiotics affect weight?

The two main groups of bacteria found in your gut are known as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. A balance between the two is essential for retaining health.

The food you eat is the main influencer of your gut microbiome. If your diet consists of a lot of processed food high in sugar and fat, this increases firmicutes. A higher ratio of firmicutes has been linked to heavier weight, with higher numbers of this bacteria found in patients who suffer from overweight or obesity.

The introduction of the proper probiotics can restore the firmicutes/bacteroidetes balance,  which can reduce weight gain. However, different probiotics exert different effects on the firmicutes/bacteroidetes ratio,  and it cannot be generalised that all probiotics can help control weight.

Did you know?

Products that contain prebiotics as well as probiotics are known as synbiotics.

These products contain the beneficial bacteria and the food for the bacteria to feed on.

They are most commonly available in the form of supplements.

Tara’s top tip

There are so many probiotic products on the markt, all claiming major health benefits. But remember that not all probiotics are created equal. Different probiotics have been linked to help with different illnesses. This is why choosing the right probiotic is important. If unsure, liaise closely with your healthcare professional to help you decide which probiotic strain is best to use to address your condition.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine.

MILAN — Black flowed once again down the runway for Dolce & Gabbana’s men’s show in Milan on Saturday, in an homage to both meticulous tailoring and noble Italian materials and heritage.

“It’s important to tell the story of genuine elegance of hand-made, of sartorial art -- they are facts, not words,” Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said at the Metropol, a former cinema that is now the house’s headquarters.

Among the front-row guests were Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, whose son Nikko Gonzalez was one of the models.

A far cry from former elaborate presentations with explosions of colours, this show was stripped down to a monochrome runway punctuated by a single raised platform which the models ascended and descended by stairs.

It was all about riffs on the classics -- deep black tuxedos adorned with silk Lavalliere ties, or creamy white versions with jackets cut short to reveal perfectly pleated cummerbunds.

Several razor-sharp jackets and billowing shirts favoured plunging necklines, others gave up on sleeves entirely.

Other modern twists included sheer lace shirts or knee-high patent leather boots, with many of the designs topped off with the house’s signature gavroche caps.

“Today, everything comes from the art of tailoring, but there is good wine and there is cheap wine. For us, it’s important to distinguish the quality,” the designers said.

“Young people are turning to this style, they are looking for elegant clothes,” added the duo, who just a few years ago created a menswear collection aimed squarely at generation TikTok that embraced the screaming colours of street style.

“If you want the next generation to be better than us, you have to give them a beautiful film, a beautiful story.”

Fendi in bucolic mode 

Another highly anticipated show was Fendi’s.

The clothing played on the contrast between the peace of pastoral life and the fast pace of the city, with models switching between outdoor wear and city outfits.

Designer Silvia Venturini Fendi was largely inspired by the British countryside for her collection, which is both vintage and sophisticated.

Breaking codes, the men wore checked skirts or long pleated shorts resembling kilts, along with hiking socks and leather Wellington boots.

As Fendi has repeatedly argued, the boundaries between men’s and women’s wardrobes are blurring.

Velvet pants and wool cardigans were on display alongside fisherman coats, bomber jackets and waterproof jackets.

On the city side, shiny satin and lurex brightened up evening outfits.