Category — Fashion

image by Bride Maldives

A phone call from a good friend compelled us to sit in front of the telly to watch the anticipated Maldivian Fashion week last Tuesday, but as the live telecast continued in its rather slow pace we waited impatiently for the show to end. As we had posted before the Fashion week was focused entirely on one brand and that was ‘Truly Maldives’ three collections of resort wear, evening wear and color mix was designed by Aishath Ali – the designer who is mostly known for Mariyam Waheeda’s outfits for the Friday show Heyyanbo on MNBC1. The show was indeed highly anticipated, and why not, after all it was a showcase of Maldivian talent! However, presenting the collection of only one designer is a high-risk endeavor as the exhibition of the nation’s fashion talent rests upon Aishath Ali’s petite shoulders. As the Maldivian mannequins sashayed down a white narrow carpet (instead of a customary catwalk) in front of less than 100 guests the collection seemed to start off in a promising manner with the resort wear in pastel colors. It was published that the outfits would be about presenting a ‘piece of Maldives’ and the designer had indeed made an attempt to reflect Maldives with some outfits imitating the designs of thundu kunaa, the libaas and the Maldivian underwaterlife.Though, after the first three outfits the charm of the first round of collection seemed to wane as it continued in its unimpressive beat with mainly loose silhouettes that seemed to befit ‘expecting’ mothers. Further on, ‘luxury’ – an element that normally epitomizes resort wear was almost non-existent.

Remixed local songs boomed in the background and around 20 models who changed into their evening wear came strutting down in purples and lemon yellows – a palette that seemed to have continued to the third collection (color mix) as well. Did the models forget their accessories like clutches and shoes for their evening? Lacking completeness without the full exhibition of accessories was a flagrant error for the brand. Perhaps the feet could have been interestingly accessorized with anklets to rule out the no-shoes-zone that the brand was trying to portray. The continuity of the same color palette for ‘color mix’ was ideal, though it lacked the zing to entice the audience of a fashion week. It is always tricky to play with too many colors and Truly Maldives, with inspirations from dhigu hedhun and libaas pattern cuttings paired with the motley matched colors had a lack of aesthetic quality, giving the effect of rag-doll patchwork; a style that was obviously reminiscent of the Bangkok/Indian flea market kurthees – perhaps a better remake of the style could have worked. The amateur hand painted designs in tint-less colors made us wince every time-a blatant misstep for a fashion exhibition that had to showcase craftsmanship. The use of bottled fabric colors perhaps did not give justice to the intricate traditional designs found in Maldivian craftsmanship of stone and wood carvings.

At the end of the show the designer looked relieved as she made her appearance in a dhiguhedhun that she herself designed, we sincerely believe that only a few designers like Aishath Ali would have the courage to debut solo for the first fashion week, in a fast-paced fashion world where harsh critics would most likely label the collection as ‘amateur’ and ‘worse than a student’s fashion show’. We sure hope to see more of  Truly Maldives designs and wish Aishath Ali all the best in future! We hope to see more designers next year and who knows?  Maldivians are talented and skilled, there could be an undiscovered fashion designer in this small community to challenge Asia’s if not the world’s fashion creators! That faint glimmer of hope still shines.

images par Millzero Nishan & Bride Maldives

  It’s been really long since I had proper internet connection after my move to another area in the crowded concrete jungle of male’…and unfortunately, I’m pretty much cut-off from the rest of the world as I still have no proper internet access. This post my dear readers, has been long overdue, so let’s continue with it shall we! We (Maldivians especially) know about our pocket sized Mollywood’s annual bash called “Maldivian film awards”, a rather unsuccessful but steadily improving awards ceremony. This event has also been a platform that had showcased one of fashion’s faux pas, and here we are (again) to celebrate and mock at the dreadful costume parade – though the difference this year is that FAMUSHU will inspect and take a closer look at the outfits as fashion police! And we will fashionably twist the utterly disastrous outfits of Mollywood ‘stars’ in our stylish blender and juice out some lip-smacking cocktails of gowns for those actresses!

Niuma: Oh lovely Niuma! The actress who today, is known for shaving her hair off for an infamous Mollywood movie! The reigning queen of our small film industry we see that you wanted to wear red to this special event; but darling, the gown you are wearing is nothing close to make you look like a star! The bright red is impeccable for an evening event but how about choosing a gown that looks less of a disaster and one that looks sleek and sophisticated? Niuma, we FAMUSHU suggests that you opt the loveliness of simplicity! You are a mature and smart lady – and such a lady would need to show her sophistication through a simple, modern and elegant number!

Ellie Saab - Naeem Khan

This rich red Ellie Saab gown from his fall RTW 2011 is beautifully embroidered yet does not look overdone! It’s the kind of gown that a mature smart actress is fit for! Niu, the frumpy frilled tail of carnival-de-disaster have got to GO! FAMUSHU also suggests: this lovely, modern yet glamorous gown by Naeem Khan! This silver number will give the impression of a slim silhouette and is a hundred times chic and modern than that red-isaster!

Darling! Rio Carnival is in Brazil NOT in Maldives! It’s high time that the poofed-up-goofof style went out the window! FAMUSHU knows that you want to look like a glam doll and you certainly have a great figure to carry off a fine gown, so show it off with chic style – Not clown work that mocks your natural beauty! FAMUSHU has a Fashionable platter of modern gowns for you: Reem Acra’s (fall RTW 2011) glamorous gown that fades from a blue to metallic tones of gold and copper is just parfait for you! It accentuates your figure with it’s sleek finish. A simple yet glamorous outfit that a star like you truly deserves! Or how about our second option? We see that you want to flaunt your toned legs , why not choose a style comme Isaac Mizrahi’s short blue number (as we also figure that you wanted to wear a blue tone for the night) This outfit is simplicity and youth put forward in a chic parcel!

Reem Acra - Isaac Mizrahi

Huyam:

Ah! Such innocent beauty is like a rare gem, Huyam you definitely look better compared to the rest of the star invitees! Your simple outfit goes along with your inner loveliness. Though, might we suggest an outfit that puts in the star quality… a bit subtly ofcourse: to compliment your fine figure a dress as such of Naeem Khan’s silver embroidered black dress is parfait! Or the dress from  Pucci’s RTW 2011 collection will make you look slim, sultry and is suitable for a glamorous occasion.

Reem Acra - Pucci

Sheila:The words just hardly roll out of our tongues! You have officially become a national fashion disaster! Your gown (or whatever it was meant to be) looks like as if a humongous purple volcano exploded spewting rainbows and dull plastic flowers everywhere! Clearly you are glowing with your pregnancy and we express our heartfelt congratulations to you! But Sheila you need to be saved! A charming and talented actress like you needs to be FAMUSHION-ed! Thus modern yet elegant evening attire would suit you the most! Naeem Khan’s sophisticated elegance is ideal! This black short dress is just chic and finely hides away your belly – and black is ideal for evenings! Or have a look at Naeem Khan’s embroidered gown! So darling you have got to burn that purple dress!

Naeem Khan

Kiddy, you certainly love kids but it does not mean you have to dress like one! You are a gorgeous, talented and mature woman – show it! Take a look at Balmain’s resort collection 2012 , simple yet strong. For the powerful performance you gave during the show, you could have chosen an interesting jacket like that of Balmain’s latest resort collection paired with polished leggings. If you wanted to bring a more feminine appearance the monochrome dress by Versace’s recent resort collection is fantastic! And for the evening you could have ditched that silver jacket and tiered white dress for a black high-fashion number by Balmain. It’s a common misunderstanding that more volume hides away the flab; when in fact the more simple silhouettes make the figure look slim. Darling, let us suggest this beautiful silver embroidered Naeem Khan’s design – it’s modern and says ‘glamour’ in a subtle and sultry way.

Naeem Khan - Balmain

Balmain - Versace

We know that you know “your way” and perhaps there are only a few anchors in Maldives who know their way when it comes to fashion and clothing. You have a distinct style and we see that you always put an effort to be more presentable for the telly (though at times the outfits are overdone) For the awards you wore this simple black number beaded in silver to bring a bit of an Indian influence. FAMUSHU suggests that you could have worn a more modern outfit as well. Dear, we see that you like to pepper your outfits with Indian hints and you have repeated the style a lot , so how about changing styles and bringing in a variety? Perhaps a dress like that of Stella McCartney’s RTW 2011 could be ideal. It is modern and effortless, sometimes keeping aside the heavy embroidery and all the glitz is a bon idée  Versace’s jacket and dress from their recent resort collection would also make an impression by making you stand out from the crowd as the cool cat you are!

Stella McCartney - Versace

Oh wait a minute are we at the red light zone or at the real Maldives film Awards ? Perhaps our little starlet lost her way? Dear, you surely are on FAMUSHU’s black list! That outfit is such a catastrophe! You need to be FAMUSHION-IZED; that tint-less dull pink in that silhouette is cheap looking and you need to attend ‘starlets-finishing-school’ to learn how to pose as a real star ! What is that a curtain behind you? And did you just pin up your grandmother’s home-made zelebi’s? Sigh…and your cheap accessories! Alright, so let’s quickly get down to business – we believe that you wanted to flaunt your figure and legs most importantly, so we suggest this black dress by Alan Schwartz, beautiful elegant draping with beaded shoulders! Just lip-smacking good eh? Or something like that of Donna Karan’s , darling dressing up fashionably does not mean you have to look cheap! Being chic and classy respectfully and carrying it off in such a manner is what it’s all about…too.

Alan Schwartz - Donna Karan

Yana,I bet you melted many hearts in Maldives as well! Looking lovely as ever and with that chic haircut Your dress with that simple embroidered butterfly is simply lovely. One does not have to be a fashion police to single you out as the ‘different one’ from the rest of the fashion-disaster crowd. As a model, actress and VJ we know that you have a busy schedule and work out often to keep the slim figure; for this ceremony we know that you wore this loose fitting dress to bring out a sense of effortlessness and because you were visiting one of the world’s most adored vacation spots – But we think you could have pulled off a dress that looks effortless yet would make you stand out more! Reem Acra’s black simple design is fit for a beauty queen like you. Willow’s nude dress is also quite a stand out that is finely tailored, with a chic sense of effortlessness and will show off your slim waist in a relaxed way of course!

Reem Acra - Willow

Mizu,that’s the Rio Carnival again! The colourful floats just keep coming through! This talented RJ and now a VJ as well is one of those few who have the attractive combo of beauty with brains. Though Mizu that outfit for such an occasion is a disaster! It looks like as if somebody just randomly sewed on to you a bunch of cheap blue flags! Darling, first of all, you prefer blue for the night, but there are several others who chose the same colour as well! Thus, making your outfit stand out (even if it’s blue) is the ultimate goal! An electric blue number by Farah Angsana is lovely as you will surely agree! This number is simple and oozes sultry appeal, the black beaded jacket has a finesse unlike any seen in our country. Adding on delicate details is much more attractive than that frumpy trail of flags! Reem Acra once again nails it with this gown – it is not blue but a different more rich colour- look at the sleeves beautifully beaded as if it is part of the skin!

Farah Angsana - Reem Acra

Oh Rishmy, you hope to follow the Carnival trend eh? That pointless fringe of strings look like a worn out dangling mop and that red belt is cheaply put together! We just don’t gather what the whole point of your outfit is! It just does not make any sense! Rishmy, you could dance away those miserable fringes in one of your videos on the beach but not for an awards ceremony! Darling you are a versatile actress, dancer, choreographer , multi-talented, this does not mean you have to pull of all your strings ! ;D  Put an effort to be more presentable, with a gown like that of Oscar de la Renta, this simple evening gown in a rich red maroon with the sheer shoal-like fabric draped around the shoulders is elegant. Or this Ralph Lauren black gown perhaps. Keep it simple and you’ll be more attractive!

Oscar de la Renta - Ralph Lauren

 Is this a microscopic view of a rare species of green fungi?? Seriously! What were you thinking dear! That just can’t walk down the red carpet! And what are those…imitating green roses? That dress is way too cheap! For an evening event, is this what you thought was best… bright green? You need serious FAMUSHION-IZING! We know that you have tried to bring out something unique to show off to the audience, but that…is not going to get you “oooh” and “aahhs” instead “What tha !!” or mocking laughs! Now darling, you would not want to be the laughing stock of the crowd eh? How about wearing something more like a draped gown comme Ellie Saab, ahh just the beauty of the colour is breathtaking, it looks elegantly captivating. You could pair such a gown with some unique jewelry, like an intricately woven necklace in a metallic tone such as rose gold or copper and a cuff bracelet to go with it. However, if you want frills then you can go for a more toned-down style such as Reem Acra’s black gown. You can wear frills but be gentle with it! :- )

Ellie Saab - Reem Acra

Alas, to  sign off from this time’s FAMUSHU fashion police we hope you had a great time reading this post and hope that it has somehow helped the glamour crowd of Maldives to think twice before dressing up! Alors hope to come back again with some juicy blends and black list some more celebrities! Till then Adios!

Photo credits of Maldivian Film Awards: Mauroof Khaleel

Other images par Style.com

xoxo

An impressive number of over 200 designers presented their resort collections this year; there was lace, prints, hot colors and florals (to name a few of the significant themes this year) it seemed like a neatly packed chocolate box filled with a delectable variety to choose from! The very bright rainbow colored dresses at the opening of this post are that of Christopher Kane resort 2012 (ofcourse not to forget, the illustration is done by hand and with pencil colors!). Kane’s collection was more exploratory as the style presented was meant to stand-out from the crowd, rather than having a rich relaxed aura which is the root style of resort collections. His collection seemed to transport one into a futuristic world of robo-humans, thus the sketch with two half human robots… navigating (perhaps?):P. Kane and his sister Tammy Kane were both behind this “Taste the rainbow” collection, and promises that “There’s something here for the fashion girl, for the office girl, and the older woman. We’ve really had a chance to think about doing all of that now.” Vogue.com

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Givenchy

Who said wearing prints from H to T (head to toe) is archaic? This time, designers such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Phillip Lim hope to dress the ladies in bold yet intricate prints. There’s a new sophisticated air about wearing prints and perhaps Stella McCartney epitomizes this theme with her mirrored images print on shirts and sleek cropped trousers.

Stella McCartney

Thakoon

As if directly implying that resort wear are all about the sun and sea, this year rays of pale yellow brightens up collections  by Thakoon and Emilio Pucci.

Michael Kors

Alexander Wang

And the bright and bold dresses by Michael Kors and Alexander Wang imitated scuba suits – perfect to splash in some sophistication into the wardrobe!

Mulberry

Balenciaga

And while cruising, perhaps the perfect accessory would be a visor, most commonly related to sports like tennis and golf this accessory has now become a must have fashionable item to sport on a luxury cruise!

Pucci

Christian Dior

One word:Hot pink! Compliment the bright and bold outfits or a simpler floral number with a hot pink show stealer! One could just stand there drooling over this sizzling number by Emilio Pucci.

Laced - Lanvin

Laced - Alberta ferretti

Here are a few other pics from this year’s resort collection.

Color blocking - Proenza Schouler

Color blocking - Bottega Veneta

Boxy vest - Phillip Lim

Boxy vest - Acne

Images via fashionologie.  All of you who are cruising the hot spots around the world: Have fun - fashionably! xoxo

I felt a twinge of excitement when I saw the news on Bride Maldives about a “Maldivian Fashion week” to be held July this year. A fashion design brand called ‘Truly Maldives’ will be the only designer to present three collections in this show– wonder how that makes a ‘fashion week’!. ‘Truly Maldives’ outfits have been regularly seen on the infamous Maldivian variety show “Heyyanbo”. For more info about the fashion week click link. Ah! Isn’t it lovely to fantasize about a dream that cannot be realized? A fashion week in the Maldives is indeed a thrilling concept to an unaware stranger, but maybe this dream could be a probable disaster if realized. The Maldives surely encompasses of creative skilled individuals, many of whom are skilled professionals in their respective fields. A lack of institutions for the creative arts has obstructed and at times killed the chances for talented individuals to nurture their talent and institutionalize their creativity; to put an aesthetic value into their work and make it profound and rich. True one does not need an institution to be outstanding BUT it is essential to be guided and be acquainted with the fundamental basics before executing one’s work – by which an institution becomes necessary..  Bride Maldives could have encouraged sponsoring an institution for designers rather than a pointless fashion show. Does Bride Maldives wish to give a platform for so-called ‘designers’?  Is fashion showcasing skimpy clothing or a mash of everything bizarre? Well, this is why we need an institution before leaping onto a fashion week! Battling to survive an unstable market is the story of many creative artists and artisans in the Maldives; many have failed and vowed never to persevere in the arts; a determined few persist with only loss and hardly any profit generated from their work. Our small community of self taught tailors, who with their little knowledge of fashion design has put up many boutiques around the small island capital Male’; these tailors who in turn flip their coats to change into ‘fashion’ designers for make-shift fashion shows execute designs that could have an outstanding concept but rarely executed with class. Let’s look into the pro models runway shows shall we, how many of the designers I wonder have ever executed a design that takes in the elements of rhythm, balance and creativity– or in short applies the fundamentals of art and design?? One does not have to be a fashion designer to see a 5 ft small catastrophe walking down the runway, wearing a jumble of plasticines, cords tangled everywhere, crushed foil, and god-knows-what mixed and thrown to make an atrocious ‘costume’ – and ah! Let’s not talk about the makeup and hair – a perfect match for a disaster! However, this is just a small speck of the bigger picture. Every industry evolves with a lumpish start (If I might say); thus there is hope for these talented tailors and seamstresses, as they could evolve and work on producing quality designs that actually have an aesthetic value in it, BUT what will they do once they do want to exhibit and most of all SELL their work? Is there a market for couture here in the Maldives? Do they have clients: If not the Maldivians then the millions of flocking tourists? But in their vacation would they invest on a Maldivian small timer? Has anyone given it a thought that we do not have an industry of clothing, fabric and textile developers and that we are hardly independent as we resource material from our neighboring countries to produce designs. And yet we are ready to compete with the Paris, Milan and New York fashion weeks? Seriously!? And starting off with just one designer to represent the talented designers of our country?We barely have any answers to these issues and yet we are diving into the unknown with a “Maldivian Fashion week” – couldn’t this be banana skin for Maldivian fashion?But perhaps there is a bleak light of hope; which at the moment, is slightly fading with the rising economic crisis as well; Spending on clothes has become a secondary option rather than a necessary indulgence! An insignificant fleck of an idea could be the beginning of greater things isn’t it? Hopefully, this fashion week will expand into bringing creative professional work onto an influential platform and will help to maintain design standards with room to explore and be creative as well, qui sait? And hopefully an institution for fashion arts and design will be established to brew better designers who know the essence of what fashion design is –as that is what we really need to start off  with and not a platform to exhibit the low quality ‘costumes’ !

So how about storing away those pretty dresses and ruffled floral skirts in a dark corner in your wardrobe? And instead indulge in the current masculine trends? Refreshing and relaxed! This year’s Festival de Cannes had its most fashion forward celebrities sporting the ‘shorts suit’…yes girls, the combination of a tailored chic suit and a finely cropped pair of shorts combo is called a “shorts suit” – though this look shows off a masculine element, the shorts suit is full on feminine; mostly because of  the shorts! Oh yes! The shorts give the suit a whole new twist and one that fully enables a man to explore a ladies leg too!

Model Eva Herzigova in Cannes 2011 sporting the current trend

lovely Kate Bosworth

Fashionable Olivia Palermo's 2009 shorts suit was memorable!

Chloë Sevigny in Chloé shorts suit

Blake Lively of Gossip Girl in a tres court shorts suit

Alexa Chung looks chic in monochrome

It is high time to sideline those tights and jeggings that were so tight that they cut into your skin! Relax people, loosen up a bit. Let the cloth move around your legs and let your skin breathe! Comfortable and chic, the voluminous trousers are in trend, Amen! Layering with oversized crisp shirts and cotton floor length tapered trousers is about staying one fashion notch ahead.

Michael Kors

Margaret Howell S/S 2011

Jaeger London S/S 2011

Thomas Maier's taperd loose trousers for Bottega Veneta S/S 2011

Sonia Rykiel S/S 2011

The currently hot flatforms are perfect to pull off those floor grazing trousers or the très court shorts to dramatize the length of your legs. This quirky little sister of platform shoes “flat form” as you see gets its name for its flat sole. To me they are reminiscent of the 60’s, would have been a parfait match for Mondrian mini dresses. Chanel, Prada, Derek Lam and Michael Kors are some of the brands who sported the flatforms in their latest fashion week collections.

Michael Kors S/S 2011

Chanel's flatforms S/S 2011

Prada's flat form shoes S/S 2011

Michael Kors's perfect pair of sandal flat forms S/S 2011

Derek Lam's wooden flat forms

XOXO

images from here

Oui! C’est vrai! C’est le festival de Cannes où toutes les stars portent de jolie robes avec le bijou glacial et des smoking tuxedos. The festival will go on for ten days in the resort town of Cannes in South of France and it is a feast for the eyes for fashionistas, the fashion police and most of all for the fans. Fashion for relief a charity founded by model Naomi Campbell has organized several fashion shows with celebrities for different causes and has stated that they have raised around more than four and a half million dollars. This time in Cannes Naomi and fellow friend and editor of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani hosted a Fashion For Relief catwalk show on May 15 to help raise funds for victims of the recent earthquakes in Japan. Celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Karolina Kurkova and Yasmin Le Bon walked the runway in glamourous robes.

Model Ai Tominaga on the runway.

There was a bit of humor in the show when many celebrity models and actresses tripped and fell on the catwalk. Here top model Lindsay Wixon tripped&fell not only once but several times!

Jane Fonda and models cheer at the end of the show

Alors, as for the celebrities who walked the Cannes tapis rouge : I’ve picked some stylish celebrities for this post, check ‘em out

No Cannes festival is complete without the celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Rachel McAdams wearing an embroidered red silk organza and tulle dress by Marchesa, arrives for the screening of 'Midnight in Paris' and the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival with co-star Michael Sheen and director Woody Allen .

Diane Kruger at the 'Sleeping Beauty' premiere in a custom Calvin Klein Collection gold beaded dress, designed by Francisco Costa, the brand's creative director. Kruger is currently the face of Calvin Klein Beauty.

Cheryl Cole looked stunning in a white Stephane Rolande number with a plunging neckline

Tilda Swinton in custom made Haider Ackerman looks breathtakingly stunning!

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing wowed the crowds in an Oriental style strapless gown at the screening of 'Midnight in Paris' and the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

South Korean actress and model Gianna Jun en Ralph Lauren.

Voici une illustration que j’ai dessinée, inspiré par les beautés Cannes avec  des icy diamants.

an illustration inspired by the Cannes beauties

Till then A+ xoxo images par ici et ici

F/W RTW 2011

S/S RTW 2011

S/S RTW 2010

images via style.com

A long parade of slender models struts down the runway of Paris fashion week A/W 2012, wearing tailored outfits in a contemporary vibe and imitating a youthful carefree draping of fabric with modern cuts and crazy mashing of colors and textures; as the final model disappears a newbie to the fashion industry might expect a young designer in his/her 20’s to pop out eventually…but it is a confident lady in her 70’s with a shock of bright red hair -Vivienne Westwood – who takes her bow finally.  The designer who is aka the ‘queen of punk’ is still vivid in her career celebrating 40 years in the industry.   Westwood’s involvement in the punk era of the 1970’s and her infamous “World’s End” store in London (which she opened along with her then-husband Malcolm Mclaren) created a wild wave in the fashion industry, as she took her rebellious punk inspirations to the catwalks of London and Paris fashion weeks. Westwood’s rise to fame also attributed to the fact that she dressed the band members of Sex Pistols – during the period when Mclaren managed the popular band.

rough sketch of dame Vivienne Westwood

´She has since produced some of fashion’s most famous pieces (including the 1981 slouchy pirate boots still in production today, to the structured mini-crini of 1985), and been part of the industry’s most memorable moments – from Naomi Campbell falling from a pair of her towering purple platforms in 1994 to accepting her OBE from the Queen – while wearing no knickers. image via

Naomi's famous fall in Vivienne's 9 inch heels

Known for her empowering, uber-feminine shapes and signature tartan, she was this week named Britain’s Greatest British Fashion Designer in a poll conducted by Greenall, notching up 24 per cent of the public vote’. – Vogue uk

the queen of punk in 2009

Westwood is a huge inspiration to me her clothes are sensuous, humorous, rebellious and always makes a statement. She is not only a fashion designer but actively takes part to raise awareness regarding climate change. 70 years young, Vivienne Westwood, I really hope you keep doing what you do, keeping your fashion audience at the edge of their seats! And as long as the queen is in da house Punk is nevah gonna die

Happy Birthday Vivienne Westwood!!  xx

armani prive

As I stared into the jpeg images of the finely tailored garments of haute couture fashion week, I kept on sobbing inside for not being able to see the clothes for real, feel the richness of the fabric and the delicately made embroidery in my hands. This year, the haute couture fashion week presented a sense of elegant minimalism (a style which I greatly admire and follow in my designs) Designers like Stephane Rolande, Givenchy, Chanel and Valentino displayed minimalism – of course minimalism does not mean a shallow approach to design, especially in haute couture it is natural to expect excellence in design and great amount of craftsmanship.

stephane rolande

Thus the designers like Chanel and Stephane Rolande had beautiful gowns and coats: Karl Lagerfield used embroidery on the Chanel coats that were heavy with translucent crystal beads.  Stephane Rolande’s artistic gowns in beautiful earthy tones with huge sculptural brooches were breathtakingly beautiful. The most captivating show from the fashion week, to me was that of Armani Prive by Georgio Armani; there was fine tailoring and futuristic minimalism. The models looked like shiny elongated beetles with iridescent colors glistening on their handsomely tailored silhouettes.  Such beauty! His collection was so perfect! I just wish I could be in Armani’s fashion house, working with the team experiencing each step they take and how the tailors work on the garments, be part of the creative process!

Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier

Through the minimalistic collections in the fashion week, it was refreshing to see Galliano and Gaultier exhibit flamboyance through their collections. I was quite surprised and eager to see the garments that John Galliano presented for Christian Dior this year; as his inspiration was the great fashion illustrator Rene Gruau! Ah! Gruau is a pioneer in his field, his illustrations created history in fashion illustration and they still inspire young fashion illustrators (like me!)

“The most dramatic effects were chiaroscuro—the interplay of light and shade, duplicating the wash of Gruau’s watercolors and the shadows of Irving Penn’s classic couture photography. Where it seemed that hand-painting fabric would have been the simplest way to achieve the desired result, Galliano and his studio used seven layers of tulle to create a shimmering depth of dégradé.” Style.com

Christian Dior and Ellie Saab

Galliano is also one of those designers who epitomize haute fashion! And as another exciting fashion week  ends, I just remembered all those designers who have exhibited on the haute couture runway –

I salute them all!

images from style.com and here

Hello everyone! Ah! Yes I am back again with some hot trendy news right off the fashion oven! This time the limelight is on the silk turban and turband!

worked on an illustration for the turban trend

(Please empathize with me on the amateur quality of this illustration, as this is the first time I’ve used adobe to color one of my works in detail) I always see the turban as an accessory synonymous with women who are confident and elegantly poised. I’ve posted here some pics from the recent runway collections and from the stylish streets of NYC and London. Pictures from here, here, here and here. Mind you, the runway and street pictures could be deceiving; the ladies could be all glowing wearing the turban/ turband but it is a difficult look to pull off, you need to accessorize carefully with the right garments, even tying the turban requires a bit of a skill and most of all… you’ve got to carry it well! You could donne a lovely balloon sleeve cotton shirt and black harem pants, accessorize your look with   a turban or turband and you will achieve a simple chic look! Before we get all carried away with turban styles let’s take a short trip down fashion’s memory lane. The turban is known as a classic piece in a woman’s wardrobe.  Paul Poiret (1879–1944), known for his exquisite designs, dressed women in elegant silks made them feel confident and beautiful; he often used the turban in his designs and j’adore his illustrations of Persian princesses in starlit nights…sigh!

pics from here, here and here. Turbans were a must-have accessory in the 70’s and the 80’s as well. So that’s it from here now, hope you will try out the turban! If you need help in styling a look with a turban don’t hesitate to bug me!

got hold of some vintage 70's magazines

Salut all my lovely fashionable Famushu readers !I’ve had some wild working weeks lately and finally got a day to sit down comfortably and post on my latest works. This time I’ve been inspired by the worn and torn look, It’s a simple DIY look that pretty much anybody can make (not to mention with the right tools and material). The torn and worn out look has been heightened  by Christophe Decarnin for his Balmain Spring Summer 2011 fashion collection.

Balmain Spring Summer 2011

Pics from style.com Inspired by the biker chick he created tee’s with torn holes that were held together by safety pins. There were bleached jeans and studs adorned the signature Balmain jackets.  Considering the economic situation affecting the fashion industry only a handful of designers have really experimented richly with their collections this year. Christophe Decarnin’s  exhibition was very similar to  last seasons Balmain collection and looking through them I felt like watching a movie that I have seen ten times; knowing ah! that’s what’s going to come next!.  However, the collection is safe enough to keep Balmain’s regular customers happy; and who could ignore those jackets which are to-die-for!

worn and torn look on white t-shirt

the torn t-shirt

silver and leather accessories with black skinny jeans

I’ve posted here my latest crazy work, it’s a torn look given to a white t-shirt that I sew. And believe me, the first reaction I get from many people are: “WTF is she wearing?!” This look is rebellious  and perhaps a viewer discrimination could be necessary  This is the kind of grunge /punk look that I love to wear when there aren’t any formal meetings to go to but to just hang out with friends and be oneself. Silver jewelry goes like bread and butter with this outfit and if one wants to extend the rebellious look they could try black leather skin tights with the t-shirt and wear killer heels with spikes or studs. Here are some additional varieties on this look from ASOS (was browsing through the site and these are the most kewl looks I noticed)all pics below by ASOS

Well, that’s it from here! Ta-ta for now !