Sheikha Mozah

Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Al-Misnad

        Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misnad is a mother, a politician and the wife of the beloved Emir of Qatar. She had a powerful vision and to this day she never stopped working towards that goal. She wanted a better future for her nation; she wanted to provide hope for the citizens of Qatar. Her passion to improve Qatar is truly admirable. She looked for a better change in all aspects for her country, therefore I am truly proud to declare her a role model. She is an inspiration to all of us, whether we are from this generation or the one before or the upcoming one, we are all honored to have witnessed the great impact Sheikha Moza had on this country.

      Sheikha Mozah was born in 1959 in the city Al Khor in northern Qatar. She is the daughter of Nasser bin Abdullah Al Misnad. She has been married to the emir since 1977 while she was at the age of 18 and attending Qatar University. She received a BA degree in Sociology from this university in 1986. Recently, she became a member of the bid committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in Qatar. Sheikha Mozah is Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development since 1995. She is also Chairperson of the Arab Democracy Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs since 1998. She is also the Vice-President of the Supreme Education Council since 2002 and was UNESCO's Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education in 2003. Currently, she serves as a member of the Board of Overseers for Weill Cornell Medical College. Sheikha Mozah has played a huge role in her nation's politics and society, actively involved in Qatar's government. She is the founder of Education City and Al Jazeera Children's Channel.

Sheikha Mozah had a vision, to make Qatar’s future a better place for it’s citizens and the Arab world. Because of her commitment to herself and her country she was able to make Qatar into what we know today as the land of culture, knowledge and prosperity. Unlike many of the monarchial wives of the Middle East, Sheikha Mozah has played a prominent role in Qatar’s progress, she has gained respect internationally, not only that but she was also declared as one of Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women at #74.

“Yes, reform is still young. But what I see unfolding in the classrooms of Independent Schools deserves all the support we are capable of offering. After all, our students and teachers are giving us something invaluable in return: the brightest possible future.” - Sheikha Mozah

 “It’s not just what we are doing, it is what we should be doing that is important” - Sheikha Mozah

"We want our people to have a stake in their country, and we are working to ensure that leaders emerge from each and every Qatari generation".     -Sheikha Mozah

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

   

    Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer, one of the prominent names in French fashion in the 20th century. He is also known for introducing the tuxedo suit for women. Yves has been credited for being the first designer to use ethnic models in his fashion shows, and taking aspects of designs form other cultures in his work.

       Yves Saint Laurent was born on Aug. 1, 1936, Oran, Algeria. He is an Algerian-born French fashion designer. He left for Paris after secondary school to pursue a fashion career and at 17 was hired as Christian Dior's assistant. When Dior died four years later, he was named head of the House of Dior. In 1962 he opened his own fashion house and instantly become known as one of the world's most powerful designers. He is most famous for the trousers for women for both city and country wear. Metallic and transparent fabrics were high-flying in his late '60s collections; in the 1970s, inspired by ethnic costume, he introduced the haute peasant look. During the 1960s and '70s his business expanded to include ready-to-wear licenses, accessories, household linens, fragrances, and men's clothes in addition to his couture business. Yves Saint Laurent retired in 2002, Saint Laurent spent much of his time at his house in Marrakech, Morocco and at the age of 71, he died from brain cancer in June 2008 on a trip back to his hometown Paris.

      I don’t know what it is that makes Yves an icon but I know for fact that whenever I think of who inspires me, his name appears in my thoughts. Although Yves’s life wasn’t recorded descriptively, he still managed to wow the minds of many, including those who never lived to see him. Fifty decades later and Yves Saint Laurent still manages to be one of the most remembered icons for his work of art. What first started out as a fashion name lives today as a fashion legend. 

 “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” –Yves Saint Laurent

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.” –Yves Saint Laurent

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” –Yves Saint Laurent 

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie        

            Angelina Jolie stood out in Hollywood for the dominant roles she portrayed. She was always cast as an empowered woman, who empowers others; whether she was a top secret agent or a mother in search of her missing child, she managed to grasp the persona of each character she was set to play effortlessly. No wonder she gained the respect of many of the filmmakers and motion pictures fans instantly. Due to her compassionate soul and her endless devotion to help the needy, I have chosen her to be one of my role models in my book of inspiration. Angelina Jolie noticed that with the attention she received she could use it as a way to shed a light on the less fortunate. She used her fame as a way to raise awareness for those who are unprivileged; she wanted to break the cultural barriers between all races that she adopted children from all around the globe.

           Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975 in Los Angeles, California. She began acting at a young age, studying at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute while in her early teens. Jolie later attended New York University. In the 1990s, Angelina Jolie became a popular actress. She has continued to take on a mixture of interesting roles, such as an adventurer, a FBI profiler and a neglected, troubled socialite wife .In 2007; Jolie portrayed the role of Mariane Pearl outstandingly. A devoted humanitarian, Angelina Jolie was made a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency in 2001. She has attracted a lot of attention for the refugees in Cambodia, Darfur and Jordan, to name just a few. In 2005, Jolie won the Global Humanitarian Action Award from the United Nations Association of the USA for her activism as a representative of refugee rights. To this day, Jolie still travels the world to raise awareness on global issues. Angelina Jolie adopted a little orphan boy from Cambodia and called him Maddox. Within three years, she adopted another child, her daughter Zahara. She later started her own family with Brad Pitt and the couple had their first biological daughter, Shiloh, who was born in the African country of Namibia in 2006. Jolie, Pitt, and their children had traveled there to raise a family away from the hectic media atmosphere.

         Jolie still continues to rise in stardom and attain remarkable reviews as an actress. In an age where people want to be a part of the entertaining business for selfish reasons, Jolie stood out as the true meaning of altruism. She used her fame to advance the message of peace and benevolence. She gave a home to less unfortunate children but at the same time remained true to herself by taking her job as an actress seriously.  All in all, Jolie is a true icon for every contribution towards shaping the contemporary image of how a true star should shine.

“Without pain, there would be no suffering, without suffering we would never learn from over mistakes. To make it right, pain and suffering is the key to all windows, without it, there is no way of life.” –Angelina Jolie

“We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” –Angelina Jolie

“If you ask people what they've always wanted to do, most people haven't done it. That breaks my heart.” –Angelina Jolie

Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld rose in a time when everyone doubted his abilities. He proved everyone wrong. People thought that The Fashion House “Chanel” was going to sink and yet he went against all odds and out the fashion house between his hands.

Karl Lagerfeld was born in Hamburg, Germany he later moved to Paris in 1952 and succeeded as a fashion designer in the world of Fashion. Karl Lagerfeld moved to Paris at the age of 14 but by the age of Seventeen he already earned himself a job at Peirre Balmain, thanks to a coat design competition that won him the job. He took a turn once he started working for Jean Patou, in 1958, where he gained a lot of experience working with the top designers in Paris. However, Karl Lagerfeld lost his interest with Paris fashion, so instead he moved to Italy to pursue his fashion education. He joined Fendi and, during the 1970s, he worked with Chloe. His 1972 Deco collection gained worldwide approval and by 1983, he had moved to Chanel. Lagerfeld went on to launch his own label with bright colors and softly shaped knitwear. While still working for Chanel, his successes were many, including the box jacket with denim mini skirts, in 1991, and black fishnet body-stockings with Chanel branding over the breasts. Lagerfeld’s imagination has also led to such pieces as the shower-dress, the car-dress and a range of whacky hats! Apart from the fashion world, Karl enjoys learning languages and speaks fluent German, English, French and Italian. His other passions include antiques and photography, not only that but his love for fashion is so strong that he considers himself a workaholic.

Karl is an intelligent man; his personality isn’t the least bit boring. Karl innovatory mind keeps making constant changes that lead the fashion world into the most minimalistic-chic trends. Karl is admired for his never-ending passion for what he does. It’s hard to say that someone is a 100% committed to something but in Karl’s case I can assure you that he’s extremely devoted to what he does. He has been a great influence for sticking to his passion and doing what he loves overpoweringly.

 “Fashion keeps me designing: the love of change, the idea that the next one will be the right one, the nonstop dialogue.” -Karl Lagerfeld

“Like poetry, fashion does not state anything. It merely suggests.” -Karl Lagerfeld

“The most important thing is to do things, not to have done them.”

“The imagination can transform all sorts of personal insanity into elements of self-invention, and you need to make use of this.” -Karl Lagerfeld

“When I took over Chanel, nobody wanted it anymore. People said don’t touch it, it’s dead, it’s over. I saw possibility for the years to come” -Karl Lagerfeld

Ayrton Senna

  Ayrton Senna

            Ayrton Senna is one of the most respected formula one drivers ever known to mankind. Ayrton Senna Da Silva was born on March 21, 1960 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His racing career started at the age of 4 in go-karts and he had his very first go-kart race at the age of 13 professionally.  He is an astonishing racecar driver and his strive to win was incredible because his only goal when he entered a race was to win; to achieve the first place. He didn't settle for anything less than that. He focused on the smallest niceties and thought out every detail as he steered across the race.

          He wasn’t just an amazing formula one driver but he was also an amazing human being. He was selfless, caring and giving. Senna died at the age of thirty-three with 41 victories, three World championships, 65 pole positions and 19 fastest lap in 161 races.  He died during The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix championship’s final race. On the day before Senna’s car crash there was also another race taking place, Austrian Ronald Ratzenberger died during that race. The death deeply upset Senna, reinforcing his safety concerns and made him consider retiring from the sport. Ironically, he spent his final morning meeting fellow drivers, determined after Ratzenberger's accident to take on a new responsibility to re-create the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, a Drivers' Safety group to increase safety in Formula One. Unfortunately Senna died that following day. After the crash an Austrian flag was found in Ayrton’s cockpit. He kept it there in hope that if he won the championship he would raise the flag of the country of Ronal Ratzenberger but Senna never lived to do so. The tragic death of the great racer was sudden and heartbreaking that even Brazil, a whole nation, mourned his death for three days. 

       It was even revealed that Senna donated millions of his money to the unprivileged in Brazil. He took care of his country and his people, no wonder was he immeasurably loved and idolized. His limitless thrive to succeed and his selflessness, to put other people's needs before his are all beautiful traits that resided in Senna. Whatever he did, was out of goodwill, even when no one was watching. The fact that he donated millions of his money anonymously shows us the true modesty of Aryton Senna. He was kind, compassionate and driven, he is what I call a true hero.

 “I don't know driving in another way which isn't risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other's.”-Ayrton Senna

“Wealthy men can't live in an island that is encircled by poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give a chance to everyone, at least a basic chance.” -Ayrton Senna

 “You must take the compromise to win, or else nothing. That means: you race or you do not.” -Ayrton Senna

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

            She seemed flawless at the time, as if nothing could make me see her imperfections no matter how hard I tried to look or how eager I was to find one flaw in her. It was as if I was blinded by her beauty that I was unable to look past the surface. When you’re a child you just take in what ever is put in front of you. I remember the first time I watched an Audrey Hepburn movie, I can recall it was Breakfast At Tiffany’s. My eyes glistened every time the beautiful Miss.Golightly appeared on the screen. I have never seen such grace, beauty and style summed up in one place. Audrey Hepburn mesmerized me even when I only knew her as Holly Golightly and to this day I can assure you, my admiration for her didn’t lessen in any way.

            Audrey Hepburn is a talented performer, a remarkable actress and one of Hollywood’s greatest style icons.  Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium by the name of Audrey Kathleen Ruston. She grew up in Netherlands but after Nazis invaded her hometown, Audrey and her mother were forced to flee the country. She reportedly helped the resistance movement by delivering messages, according to an article in The New York Times. After the war, Audrey’s interest in dance lead her to pursue ballet in Arnhem then she moved to London to continue to pursue her career as a dancer. She appeared in several European productions before landing her breakout role in the Broadway show “Gigi”. Audrey’s talent was easily spotted by Hollywood and in the next couple if years Audrey starred in “Roman Holiday”. Many were stunned by Audrey’s imitation of the role of princess Anne that won her an Academy Award for Best Actress for this performance. In the next decade Audrey starred in many blockbusters such as Sabrina, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Charade, My Fair Lady and so much more. Her easily gained fame made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons. After starring in many roles and winning many awards, Audrey decided to take another path in her life. She became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in the late 1980s. Hepburn traveled the world to help the less unfortunate and in hope of raising awareness about children in need. She empathized for what it was like to be hungry and go on for days without food from the journeys she went with the UNICEF organization. Making more than 50 trips, Hepburn visited UNICEF projects in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. She later won a special Academy Award for her humanitarian work in 1993 unfortunately she died before she could to receive it. Audrey died on January 20, 1993, at her home in Switzerland after struggling with colon cancer. Her work to help children around the world continues. Audrey’s children established The Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund children to continue Hepburn's humanitarian work in 1994.

          Audrey won twenty eight awards and was nominated for another twenty four but it isn’t the amount of awards that exalts her, matter of fact, it is her noble acts of kindness that makes her unique than most of the Hollywood actors of that time.  It is hard to find beauty, elegance and chivalry all summoned in one place but it was easy to find in the great Audrey Hepburn.

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”-Audrey Hepburn

“I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people’s mind is not in my mind. I just do my thing” –Audrey Hepburn

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. – Audrey Hepburn

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel

        Coco Chanel is a person who played a huge role in the fashion industry; her style was exotic and distinctive. She was a risk-taker, she never feared what others would think of her as long as she knew what she was doing was right.  Her unique approach to fashion made her one of the most praised fashion designers in the history of fashion.

         Coco was born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France. After her mother’s death, Chanel was put into an orphanage where she was raised by nuns who taught her many skills including sewing, a skill that would lead her into her life’s work. At the age of eighteen Coco left the orphanage. She worked as a performer in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she was called “Coco.” Around the age of 20, Chanel became involved with Etienne Balsan who offered to help her start a millinery business in Paris. She soon left him for one of his even wealthier friends, Arthur “Boy” Capel. Chanel opened her first shop in 1910 which only sold hats. After opening two more shops around the country, Coco began making clothes. In the 1920s, Chanel took her booming business to another level. She launched her first perfume, Chanel No. 5 and in 1925, she created the well-known Chanel suit with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. The idea of borrowing elements of men’s wear and creating pieces that was stylish yet comfortable during that time was groundbreaking. The international economic depression of the 1930s had affected her business severely, however it was the outbreak of World War II that gave Chanel no choice but to close her business. At the age of 70, Chanel made a dominant return to the fashion world. Coco Chanel died on January 10, 1971, at her apartment in the Hotel Ritz. Many crowded together at the Church of the Madeleine to say their goodbyes to the fashion icon. Coco created timeless designs that continue to be popular today. She became an admired style icon famous for her simple yet sophisticated outfits matched with great accessories.

            Coco struggled to reach her dreams. We could see from the beginning that she wasn’t afraid to be different. She believed in herself before anyone else believed in her. She had a conviction that what she was doing was right and was bold enough to take a step forward. What makes her so inspirational is that even after a long period of non-fulfillment she didn’t hesitate rise up again and follow her dreams.  Her life story is a valuable lesson that every human being must cherish; it is never too late to follow your dreams because when you lose hope, you lose your aspiration till you no longer have something to look forward to. Coco showed us the true meaning of endurance; to never lose hope, to have the courage to wait for something better. 

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” –Coco Chanel

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” –Coco Chanel

“Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.” –Coco Chanel

“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. “- Coco Chanel

“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.” – Coco Chanel