Dubai-based Dima Ayad, is a young Lebanese fashion designer. She established her eponymous label in April 2010. Her clothes, which have been featured on the pages of ELLE Arabia, Grazia Middle East, OK!, Hello! and Ahlan!, are a celebration of the female form. Her Autumn Winter 2011 collection was shown off-schedule at London Fashion Week, which led to her nomination as Best Regional Designer at the Grazia Middle East Style Awards 2011, designing a capsule Prom collection for Saks Fifth Avenue and a Ramadan AbayaCollection for Harvey Nichols Dubai.
How to Start Your Own Fashion Label: London College of Fashion (Toby Meadows)
The last day of Fashion Forward and I got to attend some great shows; Tresors Sauvages, Amira Haroon, Zayan the Label, Amato and Ayesha Depala. It was a fun fashion filled 3 days and am so glad I got to attend the very first one. I am looking forward to the next one later this year in October, it can only get better! Read the rest of this entry »
In September 2009, fashion designer, Lama El-Moatassem, launches Toujouri’s first collection, after studying at London’s Central St Martins, London College of Fashion and working for international design houses such as Chloe.
Aesthetic interpretations of travel and culture, vintage textiles, embroideries, brocades and modern design inspire her. Read the rest of this entry »
Middle Eastern Fashion: An Identity in the Making- Panel Discussion
I was off to a fresh start at Day 2 of Fashion Forward and was ready for as much fashion dosage as I could get! It was hard to limit myself to a few number of shows and panel discussions as I had baby duty as well, but better some than none at all eh! I go to attend the Middle Eastern Fashion: Identity in the Making panel discussion which was very interesting and they tapped on to a lot of interesting points. I wish I got the chance to bring up the point of modest/conservative fashion for the majority of women in our region; next time. Read the rest of this entry »
Zayan Ghandour was born in Beirut, Lebanon. She began designing limited edition one-off T-shirts while writing for the Daily Star newspaper (an affiliate of the Herald Tribune), before moving to Dubai in 2000 and retailing at one of the most prominent multi-brand boutiques.
Fashion Forward kicked off to a great start! The buzz and the excitement was felt by everyone. It was a whole three days of fashion frenzy and I loved every minute of it. I landed on the day it started so I didn’t get to attend the earlier shows and had to settle my little bubba in before heading to the event. I missed Emperor 1688 because I was a couple of minutes late, but that gave me the chance to explore the venue and be prepared for the next day. The line up for the Essa show was crazy and although it got off to a late start it was a great a show! I have to say though the highlight of the night was getting to meet the ever so sweet and down to earth Blogger Ascia. I was very impressed with the whole set up and kudos to those who worked soo hard getting the whole event up and running! By far this event can compete with any international fashion event; and it will only get better. Am looking forward to Fashion Forwad later this year in October. There are loads of pics to come for the following days so stay tuned for Fashion Forward Photo Diary Day 2 and 3. Read the rest of this entry »
April has been quite a busy month with lots of traveling, which means a lot of blogging catching up to do. Earlier this month we (@BahrainBloggers) were invited by the owner of Trousseau to have afternoon tea, scones and cake at the delightful store tucked away in Al Aali mall. Walking into the shop you are greeted with a beautiful aroma of candles, french perfume and music . Whether you’re a new bride, looking to furnish your home, looking for a gift or just love pretty things you will adore Trousseau and all it has to offer. They stock gorgeous luxurious linen which are ideal for hospital stays when baby is born. Owner Nancy and daughter Fadia Al Zain have given Trousseau that personal touch and are in tune with the needs of their customers. Everything in the store is handpicked and has a beautiful story behind the products. Even the candles are all vegetable based with lead free wicks for a non toxic ambience in your home. You can be sure to see Nancy there when you visit and be greeted with her warm southern hospitality. Within the store is a little quaint tea room that serves an assortment of teas, coffees and absolutely delicious mouth watering cakes, scones and sandwiches. A great little quiet place to catch up with friends and treat yourself to some affordable luxury.
For more on Trousseau you can find them
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trousseau.bahrain
Twitter/Instagram: @Trousseau_bh
ASOS Maxi Dress With 70′s Cape Neck Detail
ASOS Trousers with Elastic Waistband in Abstract Print
ASOS Maxi T-Shirt Dress With Lace Overlay
ASOS Trousers in Spot Print with Contrast Panel
Vila Bleach Spot Denim Shirt
River Island Drape Trouser In Moroccan Print
We all love to have pretty polished nails but deep down we all know they can’t be great for the nails or the constant exposure to the manicurists. Wojciech Inglot, founder of Inglot Cosmetics was a chemist and entrepreneur who tried to come up with a more nontoxic alternative to traditional nail polish. Little did he realize he tapped on to a whole new market unintentionally. Sadly Inglot passed away end of Feb to truly see the magnitude reaction his invention has stirred. Inglot created a breathable polish that allows air and moisture to reach the nail bed. His product uses a polymer similar to contact lenses, which allows the nails to breathe. The nail polish is known as O2M ( Oxygen & Moisture). This is super exciting news for us muslim women who would love to wear nailpolish but avoid doing so due to water not reaching the nail bed at times of wudhu (ablution). Ablution is something muslim women do five times a day before praying. This is a healthy, non toxic breathable solution that has tapped into a massive niche in the beauty industry! Muslim women started grabbing these off the shelves in November when Islamic scholar Mustafa Umar decided to research whether the product was consistent with Islamic law. He wrote about the way he tested the O2M polish on his blog.
This is what he wrote:
One of my students decided to perform a test to see whether or not water actually seeped through when using the Inglot O2M nail polish. As a test case, she applied standard pink nail polish and purple O2M on a coffee filter and allowed both to dry. She then placed another coffee filter below the painted one, squeezed two drops of water over the polish, and applied some pressure with her finger. After about ten seconds it was clear that the water was prevented from seeping through [even to the back side of the first filter] on the standard polish but clearly went through the O2M and even wet the second filter. This is sufficient to show that the claims made by the manufacturer are correct and water does indeed permeate through to the nail.
How exciting is this!!! (happy dance).. Below are the colours available, the image on the right are the summer 2013 colours.
Now all I have to do is get my hands on them and stock up!!
It’s April and countdown to two fabulous things!! One being my birthday and the next only the biggest thing to hit the fashion scene in Dubai!! Fashion Forward is a fashion platform for Dubai and the Middle East — a fashion movement which provides a platform and a progressive direction for fashion in the region. This is the first time that collections from more than 14 of the region’s most sought-after designers will be shown in one location. FFWD will include catwalk presentations by established and emerging designers in the Middle East, there will be a Fashion Forum – an educational module to foster industry discussion, and an awards programme to recognize regional pioneers. You will also be able to grab some gorgeous accessories, scarves, jewelry and so much more at the FFWD Pop Up Store. Fashion Forward is a biannual event delivered by Brag,marketing agency. By hosting a series of forums with global role models and industry experts, FFWD aims to be a dynamic and ongoing platform that highlights strengths, inspires and nurtures industry growth and its wealth of talent, with the ultimate goal of driving forward the entire fashion industry in the region.
If this has got your fashion juices flowing then head straight to Fashion Forward to get more information.
FFWD’s first edition will take place from 26-29 April 2013.
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