Lifestyle

Photo: ShutterstockTikTok users, put down your phones for just a minute, you’re going to want to listen up to this one…
‘Manifesting’ is the buzzword that just doesn’t seem to be going away, and we’re not mad about it. We’re all up for anything that helps us achieve our biggest, bravest dreams through the power of positive thinking and conscious action, I mean, what’s not to love about that? The thing is though, we haven’t yet managed to see our wishes realised (except obv that the Peaky Blinders film is actually happening). But could that all be about to change?
TikTok users believe the viral Whisper Method – a hashtag you’ve probably seen floating about on your fyp – can help you get whatever you want through manifestation.
So not to be left out, we decided to delve further into the viral trend that refuses to fizzle out.
What is the Whisper Method?
The concept of the Whisper Method is similar to that of telekinesis (bear with us), so, in short, it works on the premise that through the power of manifestation, you can get anybody’s attention, Yep,  anybody. Supposedly, using the method can prompt someone you’re thinking of to get in touch with you, all by changing the vibes you’re giving out and focusing on the version of you that you want this specific person to see. Cue thousands of users using it to see if their ex gets back in touch or hoping that their crush will suddenly reach out.
As TikTok user @hothighpriestess explains, you want to first start by creating some positive affirmations and repeating these daily. “What’s going to happen is that these affirmations are going to seep into the brain of the person you’re trying to manifest,” she explains. “And they will begin to view you the way you view yourself.”

@hothighpriestess
Replying to @arlynh15 the whisper method
♬ Paris – 斌杨Remix

Next, she takes us through a step-by-step guide on how to actually carry out the Whisper Method:
“Step one, you’re going to visualize your specific person wherever you think they are going to be right now, get specific and really visualize the scenario. Then you’re going to envisage yourself walking up to them and whispering in their ear – three times – what it is you want them to do,” ok, we’re with you so far.
She gives examples of the kinds of things you could ask of your ‘person’, such as asking them to text you, then according to the Whisper Method, you kiss them on the forehead and envisage walking away.

Then here’s the tricky bit (or at least we think it is), once you leave the space, you need to have “full conviction” that what you’ve asked of them will happen: “be patient because it can literally happy any day.”
And now the crucial question, does the Whisper Method actually work?
Well, from the comments section of the @hothighpriestess’ video, it seems so. “IT WORKSSSS i did this on my ex-bf and now we’re back together again and it’s safe to say that we’re both happy,” wrote one, while another added: “No stop it actually worked I did it yesterday and he told me he was thinking about me today.”

But this isn’t the only video of its kind, in fact, there are now thousands of videos on the app that are tagged with #whispermethod or #whisperingmethod, with many users gushing over the effectiveness of the technique.
“Did you try this? Works like ✨magic✨,” one from user @manifesting.cheat.codes is captioned, while the video explains, “this is how I manifested him to message me in just 3 minutes.”

@manifesting.cheat.codes
Did you try this? Works like ✨magic✨ #manifestingmethods #manifestation #whisperchallenge #spirituality #shifting #777 #888hz
♬ snowfall (Slowed + Reverb) – Øneheart & Reidenshi

Another user adds text over the top of her video, saying: “It 100% works,” before writing out the message she received from her ‘person’ after trying the method, “I just randomly started thinking about you so much. Can we please take and fix things? Please I love you.”

@valeriafune
Use my guide to see results quicker #whispermethod #manifestingatext #manifestingadvice #manifestingspecificperson #manifestinghimback #manifestingtechniques
♬ original sound – Vinnie

The hashtag is also flooded with people trialing out the Whisper Method for themselves, including those without any former manifestation understanding and success. Though we must admit that there are varying results, some feel it worked for them almost instantly, while others are still waiting for the result or just downright skeptical it will work at all.
Here’s our thinking: it’s free to do, it doesn’t take long and in the process, you’re building up your own confidence and harnessing your own power. What’s the downside in that, right?

Originally published in Glamourmagazine.co.uk

Nouf AlMoneef wearing a dress from Pinko, with bracelets by David Yurman. Vogue Arabia, June 2022. Photo: Tasneem AlSultan
Art, design, and culture
Nouf AlMoneef is part of the fabric of Saudi Arabia’s thriving art and cultural scene, as project manager of Noor Riyadh. She has a background in design, with a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Prince Sultan University in Riyadh and an MFA in interior architecture from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. “I have experience working in the Saudi private and public sectors, as well as running my own private studio,” she says.
Wearing a Norma Kamali dress with Dalood blazer. Vogue Arabia, June 2022. Photo: Tasneem AlSultan
Witnessing change
As a Saudi national, AlMoneef’s upbringing exposed her to her homeland’s progressing social scene, specifically regarding women’s affairs. “I grew up in Riyadh during at a time when the social norms were completely different from today. I witnessed and was part of the dramatic changes in society impacting womens’ status, as well as culture, arts, and entertainment,” she says. Today, AlMoneef works to further empower Riyadh’s rich cultural glories, including landmarks such as AlUla, which she considers her favorite cultural go-to. As she explores different destinations around the world, she dives deeper into her field and unlocks new interests along the way. “In my current job, which is related to art, I came to appreciate it and have collected art works from Saudi Arabia and all around the world,” she shares.
Nouf AlMoneef. Vogue Arabia, June 2022. Photo: Tasneem AlSultan
Life in color
When dressing and accessorizing, AlMoneef looks to brands both in the region and abroad to offer a pop of color to her look. A black Norma Kamali dress serves as a solid base for bright layers. A pair of fuchsia tie-up heels by The Attico and a slick of Gucci lipstick offer further edge, along with accessories like an Okhtein bag or David Yurman bangles. If an event or her mood calls for higher octane glamour, she will opt for a pussy bow sequin shirt.
Shoes by The Attico
Light and style
AlMoneef’s current mood board suggests accents of light art and fashion, hence her philosophy for style is “simplicity and elegance.” “Personal style to me is to add the colors, the accessories to match my own preferences and outgoing personality,” she says. While AlMoneef likes to keep it simple, her curiosity shines through with statement cuts and fabrics. She makes a case for unique abayas and trench coats as she flaunts them with accents of culture and modernity. “My abaya selections for the past couple of events and travels were from Nora Al Shaikh’s collection. Her abayas are authentic, and culture related with a modern twist.”
A bustling day
AlMoneef tunes into a playlist that throws her back to the 90s with music that sparks nostalgia for her childhood and charges her for the day. Her typical day starts with a quick workout at the gym, followed by a lively schedule that keeps her busy until 8pm. Sometimes her responsibilities expand beyond her government set working hours and require her presence at art-related sites in Riyadh. “I also attend art events related to my field of work. Therefore, managing time is essential,” she shares.
Mykonos
Wanderlust
From exploring Europe and Asia’s vast repositories of art to soaking up the Middle East’s charm, AlMoneef enjoys traveling to different parts of the world where she can fulfill her eye for design. Of course, nothing beats an itinerary of sightseeing and hopping to various museums and art galleries. “I particularly like the metropolitan cities and the historical places in Spain and Italy,” she says, while these photos were captured in Greece.
An Okhtein bag. Vogue Arabia, June 2022. Photo: Tasneem AlSultan
Power drive
After checking off her professional duties, AlMoneef devotes the last hours of her day to her family. Yet, despite her daily schedule of demanding responsibilities and activities, AlMoneef remains driven and charged by surrounding herself with positivity and appreciating the work of her colleagues. Whether at her studio, office, or an art event, AlMoneef manages to power through her role by following a motto of “taking it easy, and playing by the rules of the game.”
Originally published in the June 2022 issue of Vogue Arabia
Read Next: Meet the Saudi Women Helping the Kingdom’s Art Scene Get the World’s Attention

Photo: Instagram.com/aliciakeys
A known advocate for women’s rights, Alicia Keys‘ humanitarian work was recently recognized by a Saudi-based non-profit enterprise during her trip to the Kingdom. After her performance at AlUla, the organization named Namat gifted the musician with a beautiful bag strap created with the aim of encapsulating everything she stands for.
Photo: Courtesy of Namat
Inspired by her hit song ‘This Girl is on Fire’, the bag strap was presented to Keys at the Women to Women event at AlUla’s Town Hall. The women that work with embroidery and design at Namat interpreted the song in their own words and chose the paragraphs and sentences that resonated most with them. The words of the song reflect and represent the aim of the company’s project through the employment of women and focus on their empowerment, which Keys was very appreciative of.

Soon after, the singer took to Instagram to personally thank the women who created her bag strap. “To the ladies who designed this beautiful piece for me from Namat, I just wanted you to know I got it and it is so stunning,” she said. “And literally the translation, the words, the energy, you captured it. You captured the meaning. You are the meaning which is why you captured it. You mean so much to me and I just wanted to tell you that I adore this and this is a very special gift to me and thank you for blessing the world.”
Read Next: Desert X AlUla is Back: Everything to Know About the Art Exhibition’s Second Edition

Photo: Instagram/@shaleenanathani
As an actor, Deepika Padukone has achieved remarkable success, with national and international awards to her name. And as the daughter of a professional badminton player, athleticism runs in her blood. It shone through when she played the sport competitively growing up, and it remains perceptible to this day in her endeavors. Further proof comes via her recently announced partnership with Adidas. Teaming up with the sportswear giant as its brand ambassador, the Indian star and mental health advocate aims to further her and the label’s common goal of encouraging women to believe that “impossible is nothing.”
After keeping the collaboration under wraps for weeks before its surprise reveal, there was only one thing left to do for Padukone: Take it all in at the brand’s first flagship store in the Middle East, in Dubai. For the star, the emirate is a “home away from home.” The Chhapaak actor arrived at The Dubai Mall, commanding attention and nailing athleisure in a bright red and pink tracksuit, with the sleeves rolled up and a jacket casually tied around her waist. While to most, the obvious footwear choice for a tracksuit worn for an early morning appearance at the world’s largest mall would be sneakers, Padukone opted for a pair of high heels, with one red and one pink on each foot.
Vogue Arabia sat down with the star to discuss everything from the partnership, and sports as a part of her life, to how the conversation on mental health needs to change, and her advice to aspiring sportswomen.
Photo: Courtesy of Adidas
Vogue Arabia: How has playing sports shaped you as a person and as an actor?
Deepika Padukone: It’s played a huge role in the person I am today—the way I conduct my life, and the way I think. It’s taught me how to handle success and failure, how to be competitive in the right spirit. It has also prepared me for life, and I feel like no other experience in life would have trained me or taught me the values that sports have taught me.
What are some of the best life lessons you learned playing sports?
It teaches you so much, and I think I was fortunate to have participated in individual sports as well as team sports. It’s taught me everything from team spirit, handling success and failure, and how not to be impulsive, to the ability to analyze if you performed well: To take a step back, and analyze what you did right or what hasn’t gone well, and reflect, “What could I have done differently?” The list is endless: it’s patience, perseverance, dedication, and determination. I always say that I think only an athlete knows what the life of an athlete is like, and the values that it teaches you. I can say it in words but I think that feeling for me comes from my gut and there’s only that much I can put in words.
What brought about this partnership with Adidas?
When they reached out, I was more than happy to come on board because we all know Adidas is an iconic brand. Also for me, it seems like a natural extension of my personality because I’ve been an athlete. I conduct my everyday life like an athlete, and I think like one, so for me to associate with a brand that has similar values was a natural fit. I’m glad they think that I’m someone who embodies everything that they believe in and everything that they stand for and in the last couple of weeks ever since we’ve announced this association, keeping it under wraps was very very hard. But ever since we made this announcement, I think people are quite excited.
Photo: Courtesy of Adidas
How do you think the conversation on mental health has changed since you opened up about yours?
I think it has changed a lot. Honestly, I give credit to the people for being so open in terms of embracing it, accepting it, empathizing with my journey, and wanting to bring about change when it comes to mental health. Especially in India, where nobody spoke about mental health until I did, unfortunately. In the last five years, we have seen the country celebrating World Mental Health Day, and everyone talking about mental health in living rooms, and in the media you see celebrities being more open about their own experience. This is why I think we have come a long long way.
What more needs to change?
I think we still have a long way to go. Especially if we compare ourselves to Australia, for example, or to the UK and US where I think the conversation today is far more developed. But I certainly see ourselves geared up and headed in that direction as far as the openness to seek help goes, and I think the stigma has also reduced quite a bit.
What advice would you give to aspiring sportswomen?
Well, I think if you’re a sportswoman, I’d say you have already chosen the right profession. You are on a journey where you are going to learn some of your best life lessons, and patience. I think patience is also one of the things that sports have taught me. I realize this when I see today’s generation, compounded with social media, where you want instant gratification and everything has to happen now. I think sport teaches you to wait for good things, and that you have to work hard for them. Especially if you want to leave behind a legacy, and achieve something that’s permanent. Otherwise, I think one day will be up the next day would be down. I think if you really want to go up the ladder the right way, hard work and perseverance combined with patience is the key.

What stands out to you about women in the region?
I think their spirit and sense of joy. That is something I’ve been able to see even while just walking around. I think there’s a certain spirit in everyone. I’m unable to articulate what that is but it definitely embodies strength and determination.
Who is your ultimate fitness inspiration?
I can’t think of one person, but I admire people who are more disciplined and I think that comes at any age. I know people who are 13 years old and who are 75 years old that are extremely disciplined. When I say discipline, I don’t mean to say that you don’t enjoy your life. I think there are some people who take it to an all-new extreme, and I’m sure it works for them. But I think a subtle amount of discipline is what encompasses fitness. Whether it is being disciplined in your nutrition, sleep, exercise, or your mental health, I think, for me, that is fitness. I see a lot of people in the gym who have amazing bodies, and spend extra hours in the gym. I think all of that is great, but are you truly fit? I think only an athlete understands the value of true fitness. It is not just one aspect, it’s a lifestyle, and think I admire people who live by the same.
Now that you are able to travel once again, what are the fitness essentials you always have in your suitcase?
I think, to begin with, considering I come from the land of yoga, the biggest advantage is that you don’t have to carry anything with you when you can do it absolutely anywhere. I can be in my hotel room and do a couple of asanas or a workout. Currently, the phase that I am going through is, of course, a beautiful yoga phase. I also think a pair of great running or walking shoes are essential when you are traveling. That’s the easiest thing to do—you just throw in a pair of shoes, and also now with this whole athleisure trend, it’s multipurpose. I can wake up in the morning, and go for a walk or for a run, and I can wear the same pair of shoes and walk around in the mall, and in the same pair of shoes go to a restaurant. That’s what makes it functional but at the same time fashionable, and also practical when you’re traveling.
Read Next: Behind the Iconic adidas Superstar Uniting the Inspiring Arab Female Changemakers

To celebrate International Friendship Day on July 30, four sets of friends talk about the importance of female bonds.
Alexandra d’Ursel and Deborah Najar
Alexandra d’Ursel wears Cape, Céline; top, Marni; skirt, Fendi; belt, Bottega Veneta; shoes, Christian Louboutin. Deborah Najar wears Jacket, top, skirt, belt, Bottega Veneta; shoes, Hilfiger Collection; necklace, Marni. Photographed by Mann 
“We both come from musical families, which has always given us a strong bond. Deborah is extremely intelligent and intellectual and a wonderful friend. She’s very headstrong and always positive.”
– Alexandra d’Ursel, founder of White Linen Interiors 
“Alex never fails to inject great spirit, fun, and humor into every situation. More importantly, she is incredibly humble, always challenges herself, and never takes her incredible achievements for granted. She’s been a pillar of strength and friendship for me through thick and thin.”
– Deborah Najar, director of the Jean-Paul Najar Foundation
Nadine Kanso and Khulood Thani
Nadine Kanso wears Coat, pants, Fendi; shirt, stylist’s own. Khulood Thani wears Coat, Fendi; shirt, pants, turban, Bint Thani; shoes, Christian Louboutin. Photographed by Mann 
“I met Khulood through a mutual friend a few years back and since then we see each other nearly every day. She is very focused – she knows what she wants and she goes for it, but in a subtle way. She is elegant in so many ways and has a certain kind of calmness that is amazing. I want to be more like her. We complete each other.”
– Nadine Kanso, jewelry designer
“Nadine is a powerful woman and is very knowledgeable in her field. She is also generous in supporting her friends. When I have some doubts, she always gives me honest feedback – that is the kind of friendship I enjoy. Nadine is very direct and honest. She’s just being herself and that is something I love about her.”
– Khulood Thani, fashion designer
Shayma Fawwaz and Noora Fawwaz
Noora Fawwaz wears Top, skirt, Givenchy. Shayma Fawwaz wears Top, skirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim at Bloomingdale’s; shoes, Christian Louboutin; abaya, Mounay. Photographed by Mann for the July/August 2018
“I received an award while traveling and had to send someone on my behalf to collect it, and I chose Noora. She did a fabulous job, taking photos with everyone and speaking to members of the royal family. That was one of the moments I realized I could always rely on her. She has Down’s syndrome – people are lucky if they have the chance to meet her.”
– Shayma Fawwaz, founder and CEO of Gossip the Brand
“It’s fun working with Shayma. We also go to the gym together. We are so lucky to have each other and I wish for us to always be close.”
– Noora Fawwaz, happiness officer of Gossip the Brand
Sara Al Tamimi and Hamda Al Hosani
Sara Al Tamimi wears Abaya, Epiphany; Suit, Helmut Lang at Bloomingdale’s; turban, Sara Tamimi; shoes, Saint Laurent. Hamda Al Hosani wears Abaya, Epiphany; suit, Helmut Lang at Harvey Nichols; shoes Saint Laurent. Photographed by Mann
“Things changed a bit when we started working. We used to be spontaneous and saw each other all the time. Although we are more responsible now, I can always feel Hamda’s love from afar. I admire her as a person. She is incredibly forgiving and extremely determined.”
– Sara Al Tamimi, creative director
“Sara forces me go out of my comfort zone and pushes me to wear things that make me nervous by assuring me it will look good. I don’t know any person who has met Sara and didn’t love her. As we get older, I see Sara speaking up more and more, and that makes me very proud.”
– Hamda Al Hosani, marketer Aldar Properties
Now Read: These Celebrity Pairings Are Total #FriendshipGoals
Photography: MannStyling: Katie TrotterHair: Annesofie Begtrup using Oribe HaircareHair assistants: Jesus Courtuna, Julie UledalMakeup: Toni MaltMakeup Assistant: Kasia Domanska

Towards the end of last year, as the pandemic raged on and the creative industries, including fashion, continued to carve out new ways of working and producing, The North Face and Gucci announced they were collaborating. A teaser video showing a single “The North Face x Gucci” tent flag blowing in the breeze dropped in […]
The post The North Face x Gucci Collaboration Takes to the Street with Artwalls appeared first on Vogue Arabia.