Have you ever wondered what some of your favourite female figures get up to each day? MOJEH’s A Day In The Life series follows some of the region’s most influential female movers and shakers, from business owners and entrepreneurs to fashion designers and art gallery owners. This week we’re talking to Jessica Kahawaty, Dubai-based model, philanthropist and co-founder of healthy food delivery service Mama Rita which brings home-cooked meals directly to your door.
I don’t really have a set time that I wake up every day. If I don’t have meetings, I like to sleep in as I’m usually up late the night before, sometimes till 4-5am working. My creative ideas come at night when there are no distractions, calls or meetings.
Waking up, checking my emails and messages, replying to things from bed, showering and heading out to meetings. I like to listen to podcasts as I’m getting ready. I don’t have to drink coffee or tea in the morning…I can just start my day as I am.
I work as a brand ambassador and model for several brands, so we usually have brand and content meetings to discuss photoshoots and new agreements. I also sit on the UNICEF leadership circle for the Middle East, so I’m responsible for bringing new ideas, creating awareness and fundraising for the organisation. My mother and I have also just launched a food brand called ‘Mama Rita’ available to order on demand, so I oversee all activities from marketing to operations and brand development.
No two days are the same in my life which is what I love. Sometimes I wake up and have 13 back-to-back meetings and calls for Mama Rita but a quiet “fashion day”, and other days I could be really busy with content to create for fashion, photoshoots, appearances.
I like to keep it very simple – jeans and a black top when I’m working. I don’t like to think about what to wear so I don’t consume brain power on small decisions. When I have important meetings, I’m always in heels, a beautiful pair of statement earrings and blazer. Simplicity is key. I like to be a blank canvas when people look at me and not be distracted with what I’m wearing but listen to what I’m saying.
I love to have a really good base, clear skin and matte finish. Then I add a light rosy cheek, a rosy lip liner to match and mascara. I put a slight shimmer on top of my eyelids to give a glow without going heavy on an eyeshadow.
I consider myself fortunate to be able to turn both my mother’s and my passion for food into a business so we’re always eating! I’m usually ordering from Mama Rita - the homemade shawarma marinated overnight, the chicken potato with mushrooms and garlic or a nice pasta like the nouille which is a fettuccine with a very light white sauce and nutmeg are all amazing.
I created my own dream jobs which never feel like work, as cliché as that sounds. There is no way someone like me can work all day, have dinner and a social life, then work into the night and sometimes see the sunrise whilst still working and be happy if what they’re doing isn’t their passion. What I love is that I’m able to work in both fashion, philanthropy and food all at the same time. I’m able to alternate my interests and passions constantly.
I enjoy everything because I look at the big picture.
Take a Himalayan pink salt bath or sit on the couch to unwind.
My family.
Make sure I talk to someone.
An actress.
