Lebanese TV presenter, television personality and celebrity journalist Raya Abi Rached has been an influential woman in the Arab world for a while now. Whether you know her from Arabs Got Talent or Scoop with Raya, her success has made her a personality to keep a very close eye on.
Four years ago, she started her journey with IWC Schaffhausen and became the brand’s ambassadress. Azyaamode had the opportunity to interview her and discover more about her career, her relationship with the brand and her interest in watches.
Could you tell our readers more about yourself?
First and foremost, I am a film buff. Cinema is what I love most. Even today, with all the celebrities I have interviewed, I still really enjoy going to the cinema to watch a beautiful movie and be very uplifted by it. People don’t really notice much of a difference between me as a presenter, and me as Raya, because when I’m on TV, I always try to be myself as much as I can. In a nutshell, I am a movie lover, a new mother, passionate about my career and a very simple person at heart. I remain very simple and I love that.
How did your journey with IWC Schaffhausen start?
It all started with me covering their events many years ago, while I would attend SIHH and I got to know the brand closely as a collector’s brand. Nowadays you hear a lot about it, but before, it was more known to the connoisseurs. People who collect watches know IWC very well. People who are flashy would probably mention other brands, but if you really know about watches, IWC is your go-to brand. That’s how I discovered IWC and to my delight they started supporting cinema. So, it automatically became a very honest and natural partnership between us, me as brand ambassador and IWC as a brand, because what they do is something I totally believe in. The stars that are brand ambassadors with them are stars that I interview for my show, and that I absolutely love. Cate Blanchett is the best example; she is their flagship brand ambassador and she is my and everyone’s favorite actress. Simply put, IWC supports cinema and I am a cinema girl, so it makes total sense.
As we all know, movies are your passion. So where do watches fit in your life?
After my relationship began with IWC, watches took a very special place in my life. I never used to look at watches, but now I do.
Due to your work, you’re a frequent traveller. That said, which IWC watch would you recommend to the hard-working, constantly traveling woman?
I am a big fan of the Portofino Midsize collection. It was the first line that featured watches set with diamonds. I have three of them, each one for a different occasion. One is a smoky color that I wear with more casual clothes, and this one I wear nearly every day because it works with everything, as it is elegant and not too extravagant. And I have got the big Midsize Moonphase in full gold, which I wear on very special occasions. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful one from their female collection, and if you really want to have a statement jewelry piece, this is it. They are also launching a new range of ladies watches for next season and I think it is going to be really great.
As a hard-working woman yourself, how do you balance between your career, being an IWC ambassadress and your family?
I had a baby at 39, and it wasn’t by mistake because I waited and I always knew it would be a big challenge. I live in London and I have to travel to the Middle East and to America for my job all the time. My baby is 5 months old now and I have to leave her very often. Of course, I have a rule: I do not leave her for more than 3 straight days. And if I have to be gone for longer, like I did for Arabs Got Talent two weeks ago, I take her with me. But it is extremely tough, because you get so attached. It is my child and the biggest gift I have, and yet, my career is also very important to me. It is never going to be easy, but I will do the best I can for both my career and my family.
Mirella Haddad
