Nå ja, dummies, dummies... Jeg nægter at kalde os det, men med alle øjne igen rettet mod Donald Trump, er Melania også under lup og topper listen over de trending emner på Google. Med andre ord: Vi vil vide alt om Melania. For hvordan er det for hende at være FLOTUS til en mand, der er blevet dømt for upassende opførsel? Med andre kvinder altså. Under jeres ægteskab. Hvem er Melania? Melania Trump, født som Melania Knavs den 26. april 1970 i Novo Mesto, Slovenien (dengang Jugoslavien), voksede op i en arbejderfamilie. Hendes interesse for mode opstod tidligt. Hendes far, Viktor Knavs, var bilimportør, og hendes mor, Amalija Knavs, arbejdede som modedesigner. Så grundlaget for smag og stil blev lagt tidligt. Melania talte slovensk som barn, men lærte senere også tysk, fransk og engelsk. Hun begyndte at arbejde som model, da hun var 16 år. Ikke bare en dum brunette Melania studerede arkitektur og design på Universitetet i Ljubljana. Hun afsluttede dog ikke sin uddannelse, da hendes modelkarriere tog fart. Jeg syntes tidligere, hun var utrolig smuk – du kan selv søge på billeder af Melania fra dengang. Hun flyttede til Milano og Paris, hvor hun arbejdede for store mærker. Patrick Demarchelier opdagede hende, hvilket banede vejen for optrædener i Vogue, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar og Sports Illustrated. I 1990’erne flyttede hun til New York, hvor hun – som du allerede kan gætte – mødte Donald Trump. Mel og Don På det tidspunkt var Donald Trump blevet skilt fra sin anden kone, Marla Maples. Melania og Donald giftede sig den 22. januar 2005 i Mar-a-Lago, Donalds ejendom i Palm Beach, Florida. Melania var 35 år gammel, og Donald var 58. En søn Melania og Donald har et barn sammen: Barron William Trump, født den 20. marts 2006. Barron er Donalds femte barn, og de forsøger at holde ham væk fra rampelyset så meget som muligt. Der er blevet hvisket, at Barron måske er autistisk, og at tumulten omkring hans far har en negativ indvirkning på ham. Meget tæt på Barron Melania har altid sagt, at hun har et tæt forhold til sin søn. I interviews understreger hun ofte, at moderskab er hendes prioritet. Under sin tid som First Lady beskyttede hun Barron så meget som muligt fra medierne. Hun og Donald besluttede endda, at Barron ikke skulle bo i Hvidt Hus, men i New York, for at give ham en "normal" barndom. Mode og mærker Melania Trump vælger ofte klassiske, luksuriøse mærker. Hun bliver ofte set i designs fra: Ralph Lauren: Tidløse, formelle stilarter, herunder outfits til officielle begivenheder. Christian Dior: For eksempel den smukke dragt til indvielsen – meget Jackie Kennedy. Giambattista Valli Dolce & Gabbana Vil hun blive restylet igen? Melania elsker kunst, mode og arkitektur. Som First Lady kastede hun sig over at restyle interiøret i 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue i Washington. De fejltrin Melanias fejltagelser er ikke så store som hendes mands, men der er et par: Plagiatskandale (2016): Under den Republikanske Nationale Konvent blev hendes tale anklaget for at være plagieret, da dele af den var meget lig Michelle Obamas tale fra 2008. "I really don't care, do u?"-jakken (2018): Hun bar denne under et besøg hos migranters børn på grænsen. Hun sagde senere, at det var en erklæring mod falske nyheder, men det var ikke en særlig klog beslutning. Passiv rolle: Hun blev ofte kritiseret for sin begrænsede offentlige involvering under Donalds præsidentskab. Hvad er der i sparegrisen? Melania Trump har opbygget en betydelig personlig formue, delvist gennem sit modelarbejde, sine forretninger og sit ægteskab med Donald Trump. Hendes formue anslås at være mellem 50 og 70 millioner euro.By May-Britt Mobach
A good fragrance is like an invisible tailored suit. It makes everything just a bit more seductive, confident, and more attractive. On the flip side, it can also miss the mark entirely. I still remember my first kiss and the bucket of Cacharel that the guy had poured over himself. To me, that scent lingered in my nose for days, and no, it didn’t make me want more. I believe I was wearing Anais Anais or LouLou (C’est moi, remember?) so I wasn’t much better. Luckily, we evolve, and so do our perfumes. Here’s the top 10 of the best men’s perfumes. 1. Dior Sauvage – The Classic with a Bite We can’t deny it. Dior Sauvage has been a favorite for years, and for good reason. Fresh, spicy, a bit wild (as the name suggests), and irresistibly masculine. Perfect for the guy who attends meetings in the morning and dives into a bar in the evening. And the ideal face for it? Johnny Depp. I believe he once disappeared for a week when interviews with beauty journalists from all over the world were scheduled. Typical case of living the brand. 2. Bleu de Chanel – Stylish in Every Season This is one of those scents that everyone likes. Really. Bleu de Chanel smells fresh with depth. Think citrus, wood, and a touch of mystery. You can immediately tell: this is someone with taste and a sense of timing. And David Beckham as the face of it. Even the smell of Brussels sprouts would seem appealing with this one. 3. Tom Ford Oud Wood – Luxury on a Silver Platter Want to make an impression? Then this is your ticket. Oud Wood is sultry, mysterious, and luxurious. This is not a scent for beginners. No, this is for the man who knows what he’s doing. 4. Acqua di Gio Profumo – Sultry, but Fresh We all know the original Acqua di Gio, but the Profumo variant is its more mature brother. A bit spicier, a little deeper, and just... manly. It’s like walking out of the sea in Sicily, with the sun on your skin and wet hair. Yes, hello. By the way, do you know how to pronounce it? I always thought it was “acqua die Gio” with emphasis on Gio. But it’s actually “Acqu di Gio” (Djo) with a short ‘o’ and emphasis on the ‘o’. It’s an abbreviation for Giorgio, not Gino or something. So, Djoh, that’s it. 5. Le Labo Santal 33 – Niche, but Next Level Sexy At one point, every woman in Amsterdam South and all the hipsters in Haarlem wore this. Can't really wear it anymore. Or at least, add some Molecule on top for refinement. For men, on the other hand, this is a delightful and original scent. Santal 33 by Le Labo. Be prepared for people to ask you what you're wearing. And those in the know will give you a pat on the back and a knowing wink. 6. Paco Rabanne Invictus – For the Man with Energy This scent is like riding in on a gladiator horse to your date. Fresh, powerful, a bit sweet, but with enough spice to stay mature. Invictus is popular, yes, but also for good reason. Especially in the summer, it’s an absolute winner. 7. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme – Date Night Guaranteed Success Sultry, spicy, sensual. This is your go-to for a night out. La Nuit de L’Homme is like a whisper in your neck, and with a little luck, it’ll turn into a long night with an ‘encore’. 8. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club – Like Rolling Out of New York This scent is like a cigar lounge in Brooklyn, with leather armchairs, dark rum, and jazz in the background. Jazz Club is warm, earthy, smoky – and just incredibly sexy. Perfect for fall or for men who want to exude that ‘vintage but classy’ vibe. That’s actually the idea behind Margiela’s scents; they don’t describe the fragrance, but the atmosphere they want to create with it. 9. Creed Aventus – For the Man Who Has His Affairs in Order This scent is an investment, but one that’s worth every penny. Creed Aventus is charisma in a bottle. Powerful, pineapple-like (yes really), woody, and above all: unmistakably self-assured. Wear this for an important meeting or first date – you’ll thank me later. 10. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb – The Name Says It All If you love spicy scents, then this is your holy grail. Spicebomb is explosive (haha yes, pun intended), intense, and spicy in a warm way. Think cinnamon, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for winter or when you really want to stand out. And that bottle is of course unmatched. I’m suddenly so curious about what perfume my date from back then is wearing now…By May-Britt Mobach
A good fragrance is like an invisible tailored suit. It makes everything just a bit more seductive, confident, and more attractive. On the flip side, it can also miss the mark entirely. I still remember my first kiss and the bucket of Cacharel that the guy had poured over himself. To me, that scent lingered in my nose for days, and no, it didn’t make me want more. I believe I was wearing Anais Anais or LouLou (C’est moi, remember?) so I wasn’t much better. Luckily, we evolve, and so do our perfumes. Here’s the top 10 of the best men’s perfumes. 1. Dior Sauvage – The Classic with a Bite We can’t deny it. Dior Sauvage has been a favorite for years, and for good reason. Fresh, spicy, a bit wild (as the name suggests), and irresistibly masculine. Perfect for the guy who attends meetings in the morning and dives into a bar in the evening. And the ideal face for it? Johnny Depp. I believe he once disappeared for a week when interviews with beauty journalists from all over the world were scheduled. Typical case of living the brand. 2. Bleu de Chanel – Stylish in Every Season This is one of those scents that everyone likes. Really. Bleu de Chanel smells fresh with depth. Think citrus, wood, and a touch of mystery. You can immediately tell: this is someone with taste and a sense of timing. And David Beckham as the face of it. Even the smell of Brussels sprouts would seem appealing with this one. 3. Tom Ford Oud Wood – Luxury on a Silver Platter Want to make an impression? Then this is your ticket. Oud Wood is sultry, mysterious, and luxurious. This is not a scent for beginners. No, this is for the man who knows what he’s doing. 4. Acqua di Gio Profumo – Sultry, but Fresh We all know the original Acqua di Gio, but the Profumo variant is its more mature brother. A bit spicier, a little deeper, and just... manly. It’s like walking out of the sea in Sicily, with the sun on your skin and wet hair. Yes, hello. By the way, do you know how to pronounce it? I always thought it was “acqua die Gio” with emphasis on Gio. But it’s actually “Acqu di Gio” (Djo) with a short ‘o’ and emphasis on the ‘o’. It’s an abbreviation for Giorgio, not Gino or something. So, Djoh, that’s it. 5. Le Labo Santal 33 – Niche, but Next Level Sexy At one point, every woman in Amsterdam South and all the hipsters in Haarlem wore this. Can't really wear it anymore. Or at least, add some Molecule on top for refinement. For men, on the other hand, this is a delightful and original scent. Santal 33 by Le Labo. Be prepared for people to ask you what you're wearing. And those in the know will give you a pat on the back and a knowing wink. 6. Paco Rabanne Invictus – For the Man with Energy This scent is like riding in on a gladiator horse to your date. Fresh, powerful, a bit sweet, but with enough spice to stay mature. Invictus is popular, yes, but also for good reason. Especially in the summer, it’s an absolute winner. 7. Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme – Date Night Guaranteed Success Sultry, spicy, sensual. This is your go-to for a night out. La Nuit de L’Homme is like a whisper in your neck, and with a little luck, it’ll turn into a long night with an ‘encore’. 8. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club – Like Rolling Out of New York This scent is like a cigar lounge in Brooklyn, with leather armchairs, dark rum, and jazz in the background. Jazz Club is warm, earthy, smoky – and just incredibly sexy. Perfect for fall or for men who want to exude that ‘vintage but classy’ vibe. That’s actually the idea behind Margiela’s scents; they don’t describe the fragrance, but the atmosphere they want to create with it. 9. Creed Aventus – For the Man Who Has His Affairs in Order This scent is an investment, but one that’s worth every penny. Creed Aventus is charisma in a bottle. Powerful, pineapple-like (yes really), woody, and above all: unmistakably self-assured. Wear this for an important meeting or first date – you’ll thank me later. 10. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb – The Name Says It All If you love spicy scents, then this is your holy grail. Spicebomb is explosive (haha yes, pun intended), intense, and spicy in a warm way. Think cinnamon, tobacco, and a hint of vanilla. Perfect for winter or when you really want to stand out. And that bottle is of course unmatched. I’m suddenly so curious about what perfume my date from back then is wearing now…By May-Britt Mobach
The number of narcissists in leadership positions is disproportionately high. Not surprising, since they’re driven, lack empathy (meaning they can make drastic decisions without feeling bad about it), and they have such big egos that people are often more likely to promote them. So the chances that you currently have — or have had — a narcissistic manager are quite high. I personally found the narcissism checklist for managers extremely eye-opening. 1. They charm you The narcissistic manager will do everything in their power to make you like them. A narcissist wants to be admired and is clever enough to win you over by being charming and investing time in you. But be careful — this can change at any moment. 2. You’re either with them or against them A narcissistic boss might pull you completely into their inner circle and share everything with you, but the moment you criticize them or disappoint them in some way, it’s likely game over. For the narcissist, there is no middle ground: you’re either a friend or an enemy, nothing in between. 3. Zero empathy If you ask to start work an hour later because your boyfriend just broke up with you, or if you can’t come in because your child has to go to the hospital, the narcissist won’t show any understanding. Empathy simply isn’t in their vocabulary. 4. Belittling and excluding people I once had a manager who made a harsh joke, and when someone pointed out that there was a woman — me — in the room, he replied, “A woman? I only see May-Britt, but I wouldn’t call her a woman.” And trust me, that wasn’t meant as a joke. If I had seen the checklist back then, I might have found comfort in thinking the poor man just had a disorder. Narcissists love to play divide and conquer. They’ll form cliques, favor certain people, and make others look foolish. 5. Never owning up to mistakes and stealing ideas Had a brilliant idea in a meeting? There’s a good chance your boss will present it the next day as if it was their own. The good things always come from them, and they never make mistakes — or at least they’ll never admit to them. They’ll twist everything around to avoid any blame. 6. Constant ego polishing Talking about their successes, casually flashing their Rolex, maybe even “accidentally” leaving their banking app open on their desk. Their ego barely fits in the room — and sometimes it’s so overwhelming that you need to open a window just to breathe.By May-Britt Mobach
Yesterday I wrote the big narcissism checklist to find out whether your manager is a narcissist. Chances are you scored bingo (at least, ticked all the boxes), because the concentration of narcissism is high among people in leadership positions. If you’re dealing with one, it’s important to handle the situation wisely. Or consider looking for another job, because my motto is: better a good boss than a good job. 1. Carry him/her on a pedestal Your narcissistic boss has an unquenchable thirst for compliments. Give them—but in a way that works in your favor. With a compliment, you might be able to subtly point out what’s missing in the process without making him or her feel attacked. Because criticism? A narcissist doesn’t take that well, and before you know it, you’ll be placed in Camp Enemy. 2. Take notes and document things in emails Because narcissists have a tendency to twist and bend the truth just a little, it’s wise to document important matters. So take notes and put things in writing via email. If ever—hopefully not—a lawsuit comes up, you’ll have collected evidence, and it won’t just be your word against theirs. 3. Bring someone with you If you’re having a meeting, make sure someone else is present. That way, you have an additional witness. Alternatively, you could record the conversation—though I understand that might make you feel uncomfortable. 4. Try to maintain distance Even though you’ll occasionally need to toss the narcissist some bite-sized compliments, you should otherwise keep them at arm’s length. Don’t share too much about your personal life, because that makes you vulnerable. The narcissist isn’t interested in you and will only use that personal information to manipulate you into doing what he or she wants. So be careful. By May-Britt Mobach
Not every parent wins the award for Best Parent Alive, but if one of your parents is a narcissist, life can be really tough. How can you tell if a parent is a narcissist? Well, ask yourself these questions: My father/mother shows no interest in my problems. My father/mother mostly sees me as something decorative—nice to show off, but I shouldn’t be difficult, complicated, or time-consuming. My father/mother often makes me feel like I’m not good enough. My father/mother often makes me feel that their happiness depends on my achievements. My father/mother often reminds me of all they’ve sacrificed for me. I immediately think of the scene in *The Morning Show*, where Jennifer Aniston tells her daughter she was completely torn during childbirth and that her daughter should be more grateful for it. Did you feel like you were never good enough? Did your father or mother have a special preference for one of the children? If you answered “yes” to many of these questions, it’s very possible that your father or mother is a narcissist. It’s important to set clear boundaries because narcissists tend to overstep them. But you always have the right to protect and maintain your own limits. I would recommend, in cases of narcissism, seeking guidance from a therapist who can help you navigate this process. The key thing to know is that you cannot change someone else—but you are fully capable of taking control of your own life from this point forward.By May-Britt Mobach
