A Fashion journal of an aspiring Fashion Designer

Salut everyone, I  recently bought this lovely pair of nude coloured shoes and they are absolutely lovely. The nude / pale colour trend is very popular this season and I have already written a post on it with some pics of designers collections from the fashion weeks.  This time I’m posting about the shoes which are following the same palette. Interesting isn’t it?

here’s a picture of my new pair

new shoes in pale skin tone

Donc, I have been hunting down some samples of shoes from the runway of this spring summer 2010, to show you guys. All in pales and cream tones and georgeous designs that one cannot resist. They are lovely to wear and one fact that actually goes along with the colour is that they give the impression of a ‘long leg’ (now, who could resist this?! )  Wear those shoes with denim jeans or jet black pencil skirts and you will look longer ‘cos there is no black full stop ( i mean a black shoe ) chopping off the length of your legs. In other words, the nude shoes brings the effect of legs that are going on and on..

Alors,  feast your eyes to these yummy shoes. All images sourced from style.com

Bottega Veneta spring 2010

Donna Karan spring 2010

Jonathan Saunders spring 2010

Missoni spring 2010

Karl Lagerfeld spring 2010

a pale turned to white and looks like an inspiration of the indian sandal - Marc Jacobs spring 2010

Skin coloured shoes from Emilio Pucci spring 2010

Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2010

Narciso Rodriguez spring 2010

Now, boys did you think I would leave you out?  Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors had showed the trend on men’s shoes too

Michael Kors spring 2010

Marc by Marc Jacobs spring 2010

Marc by Marc Jacobs spring 2010

Girls here are some more from the nude/pale trend

Versace spring 2010

Christopher Kane spring 2010

Nina Ricci spring 2010

Nina Ricci spring 2010

Classic wedge shoes with a pale colour cordination - Ralph Lauren spring 2010

Ralph Lauren spring 2010

a little bit quirky on - Jean Paul Gaultier spring 2010

Carolina Herrera spring 2010

Christian Dior spring 2010

bonne journée everyone and i hope you will try this trend

1:   It’s the skin tone

Nudes and pale shades dominate the colour palette of the spring summer 2010 runways . Designers like Bottega Veneta went for a complete nude/pale palette for their spring collection though giving shocks of bright colors on the garments creating a sophisticated and simple look. In fact, a number of collections in this season has been seen playing the same pattern of using bright coloured pieces embosed on a pale colour.

all images sourced from style.com

Fendi spring summer 2010

Gabriele Colangelo spring summer 2010 - the one shoulder trend is a little too old now, but this one by Colangelo is a refreshingly soft take on the trend

Fendi spring summer 2010

Bottega Veneta 2010 - the complete collection was based on pale colours and this piece is especially very elegant and feminine with a hint of a masculine wrap around karate style belt

Nude colours on Dolce and Gabbana spring summer 2010

Bruno Pieters 2010 - pure loveliness

Bottega Veneta spring summer 2010 - shocks of bright colours combined with pale skin tones gives a modern sophistication

Emilio Pucci spring summer 2010

Etro spring summer 2010 - play of colours on pale skin tone

a fashionable take on a sailor's uniform

I got an invitation for a reception at the French navy ship BCR Somme last Monday and it was one of the best experiences ever. As an étudiante studying in Alliance Française in Male’ I was thrilled to meet the captain and the rest of the ship crew members. It had rained earlier in the day and the sea was a little rough , making it difficult to get aboard on the ladder (and I was hoping I won’t slip and fall into the sea and be in an embarassing situation). So , I was relieved to be safely onboard and was greeted by the ship captain clad in white uniform and a big warm smile: “Bonsoir et bien-venue à notre bâteau”, he greeted.  We moved on to the area where all the guests were drinking juices and eating small crispy biscuits decorated with cheese and cherries.  With our French language teacher  and a lieutenant as our tour guide we explored the ship, going through the maze like corridors and climbing the steel ladders to new compartments. As we stood at the bridge of the ship with the windy breeze blowing gently against us, we saw the small Male’ at a distance; lit beautifully with its city lights against the cramped buildings and the mosque standing grand and golden. It was a wonderful feeling and I wondered what it would be like to be a sailor and be away from home. As we had to go back to Male’ in our speed boat, I felt like staying a little longer  and I also realised how much more of French I still needed to learn, hehe. This is definitely one of the most memorable experiences ever. C’est certainement une des expériences les plus mémorables.

An old pair of unfortunate black skinnies had come my way sometime ago on a dreary rainy day in Male’, its original jet black was faded a little and it had a white spot on one of the legs, looked liked it was scratched there. I took it happily though, had in mind thousands of experiments to do with it and my hands were already itching to take up the jeans and turn it into something different (the DIY DNA in me shook up inside, the very moment I saw the jeans). So the next morning on an empty stomach, though feeling a high boost of adrenaline, I was at full swing DIY-ing the jeans. What were my equipments this time? – I was armed with an old brush, a bleach bottle and a pair of rubber gloves. I wanted to let the imagination and the bleach take its own artistic pattern over the jeans. It created a rhythm and a flow that looked like floral faunas or as of an alien flora species found amidst a space venture through an unknown planet – that’s what I love about bleaching and tie dying; they create patterns that are out of the world and the more you experiment with it the more there is to see.

After the bleach, a good wash and dry I slashed a few cuts across the knees with a scissor and let the threads around it come out stubbornly. I have a complete satisfaction after it was done. Bleached and tie-dyed denims are the recent hype around the fashion cities, though it’s something rare to see in Male’ of course which results in the same “What the?!” stares when I walk down the street. I suppose I look like half of an African Wild dog to them running back and forth. Or maybe I look like I’ve got white paint accidently splattered all over my lovely jeans. Oh chier!

ah the african wild dogs fur...reminds of the bleached patterns on my jeans, non?

image via kruger2crayons.com

my bleached denims

If you happen to have any plans of Do-It-Yourself for your old jeans pairs and tees even, then you should go for it. Being a little different from the rest of the crowd is no harm of course.

Bonne journée

Fashion’s night out is pretty similar to a biig melting pot of  fashion. Organised by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and launched by Vogue, FNO’s where a lot of shopping, parties and most of all designers meet designers and where new possible business partnerships are to be initiated (am so wishing i was there ). It is also seen as a CFDA move to make the best out of the world recession. I know dears, i should have at least put up this post before September 10th.  Sorry about the delay but if you want to learn more about Fashion’s Night Out then click here.

image via fashion plate

bonne journee

my old vogue magazines

Ok, so here’s the Big Q: how many of you had seen the movie “Devil wears Prada”? Well, I’m pretty sure most of you must have seen the movie based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger (a former assistant of Anna Wintour).  But this September the real devil is out in flesh – straight from the core of Vogue US head office. Just when you thought that you were safe eh?

The documentary by R.J Cutler ‘An experience he describes as “hell”’ –according to dazed digital is to be premiered around selected cities this month.

“The September Issue” brings to public eye what was unseen before, to be scrutinized, criticized or hailed by an eager audience. The Vogue editor of 20 years for the fashion bible – Anna Wintour and her most trusted work colleague and creative director Grace Coddington will be seen preparing for the much awaited September Issue of Vogue magazine.  Why is the September issue so anticipated? Well, here’s the thing: the Vogue issues every month and in a yearly cycle there’s always one issue that is especially anticipated more than the others- this time it’s the issue of September.  The word has gotten around that the documentary shows a clear portrayal of the ruthless ‘ice princess’, but also shows a more mellow side of Anna as being a mother to her daughter, a sister and daughter to the former editor of Evening Standard. The relationship with creative director Grace Coddington who has been working alongside Anna for 20 years is also explored in the movie and though Grace is seen as a softer considerate character compared to the frosty ice princess -the difference in characteristics hardly hinder their work instead the result of their team effort is interestingly successful.

Thus it’s said that the September issue is more about work; about the ways individuals compete with, grate against and inspire one another in the workplace.

Like it or Hate it. “September issue” is a list topper of must-see fashion films, a film about Anna Wintour’s influence in the making of Vogue and Fashion itself and about the hardworking, dedicated and creative team behind her: this is one movie that cannot be missed indeed.

Anna Wintour: "You aren't a bad person because you wear Carolina Herrera or J. Brand jeans."

notebook doodles

silvers and sketches

Silver has made a comeback as the ‘it’ accessory with a zest of rock n’ roll in it this time, dominating the accessories of fashion houses like Gucci, Balmain and Roberto Cavalli with their jackets and handbags being adorned with hardware studs. Silver studs (also seen in Bronze/gold) seem to overthrow any other metallic form of adornment; studs have been seen in forms of pyramids, conical and round, blinging bags, clutches shoes bracelets and belts. Plus the increase of DIY (the ‘DIY DNA‘ found in many of us – the tendency to change the original product one has by adding new ornaments to it) has brought this current trend into a bigger focus.  For a most part silver accessories like that of chains with army tags, rings with eagle talons and earrings in a more goth-influence is now highly fashionable. Further on, the silver studs and rocker chic jewellery is apt and wearer-friendly for all ages (but if worn sensibly and not over-do i.e.). I have posted images of some accessories in silvers and studs. Plus, I was doing some doodling inspired by the trend (the doodling is less of a doodle and more of careful shading though) so they are posted for you all to see.

image via closet couture

image via polyvore.com

eddie borgo bracelets

image via chictopia.com

earring wiht skull from chictopia

image via chictopia.com

stepehen webster ring

image via dress on fire

Balmain studded dress

image via chictopia

original sin bracelet

image via purseblog.com

bally-studded-top-handle

image via jak and jil

givenchy haute couture in paris fashion week-one of the most amazing shows

image via jak and jil

a pair of jimmy choo's that are absolutely fabulous

image via trendmill.com

a studded black number that jessica biel wore

image via chictopia

image via chictopia

by bird skulls

image via polyvore.com

studded gladiator sandals

image via polyvore.com

image via polyvore.com

a studded variety

image via polyvore.com

studded belt

A couple more notebook doodles-inspired by the stud trend

spike-studded and black - a more gothic twist

a scaly reptilian skin with spikes - from another dimension

Hope this post will inspire to bring some silver studs or silver jewellery into your wardrobe (goes for guys and girls )

Bonne journée everyone

The 80’s are back with a blast! Yes, Boys and girls this year the ruling trend in fashion is the denim shirt from the eighties. So take out that acid washed worn out blue denim shirt that was tucked into a dark corner of your mom’s closet. Hunt it down from thrift shops or vintage departments ‘cos it is high time that you fashionistas wore it What was once considered classic 80’s signature: the black leather pants/jackets and floral slip dresses worn with the blue denim shirts or the ripped jeans is now back in 2009 and it’s a big hit as a street style in the big fashionable capitals of London, Paris, Milan, Stockholm, Berlin and Tokyo. As I update myself through Vogue and blogs such as the Sartorialist and Bare Style the only pieces of clothing that keeps recurring in them is the denim shirt and the ripped jeans. Needless to say, they are the key pieces that everyone and anyone can wear, and it has an individual feel about it that is irresistible:). Match it with leather pants or black skinny jeans and a white tee –and look stunning!

image via Bare Style

image via Bare Style

This fresh revival of the denim does not leave out our boys. In fact, guys could wear the denims shirts in dark and ice blues. You could pull off the denim look by wearing the double denim: with a blue tone denim shirt and black denim jeans or an icy blue shirt with a darker navy pair of denim jeans.

image via ASOS Diesel Shighy Denim Shirt

image via ASOS Nudie Gunnar

Alors, I have been wearing the denim shirt for quite some time now, with a white tee and some chunky jewellery: if you want to give this look a try u can accessorize with silver, rusted gold or bronze necklaces. And I have been getting the ‘what-the?!’ stare when I am on the road ( I look like a blast from the past I think, hehe) but reviving our old mate the denim is quite something. Why don’t you give this trend a try?

found out this morning that my vintage denim was hanging outside!

blue denim shirt , black skinny jeans accessorized with a bronze chain

wore it with a fringe necklace i recently made

How often have you heard that phrase: “…the white sandy beaches” or “…the pearly white sand” when it comes to Maldivian tourism advertisements? Well, I can bet your bottom dollar that you must have heard them so often that it is now finely drilled into the brain. Anyway, I am about to bring up the same element again –Though, I am not about to prove how white the beaches of Maldives are. Have you ever heard of ‘Sand art’? Yes, that is my topic for this post. Today, artists don’t exactly restrict their mediums to oils and water colours instead there’s a variety of mediums for the modern artist and it is endless (they even use toilet paper and cow dung!!)  But no worries, sand art does not require smelly or sticky work, instead all the artist needs is a thin layer of fine sand and a light table to create amazing paintings that metamorphose into several artistic sceneries. Art has taken its many forms throughout the years and now it’s about experimenting on the wildest. Though, sand art can still be considered as an amateur form compared to the most bizarre– it too has its beauty when performed by a skilled artist.  A video of Kseniya Simonova’s winning sand art performance at a Ukrainian talent show is the talk of many sites, channels and YouTube now. Her one is more of a story teller than art; portraying a story at the time of WW2, with music at the background and lit candles on the stage creating an atmosphere that brought most of the female audience to tears. I however, love the sand art performances that present fantasy portrayals, with images that are reminiscent of dreams.

(So the ‘white sand’ of Maldives does come in handy after all eh?)  ;P

Some videos of sand art performances  Enjoy

I’m sure most of you would have seen on telly the sand art work for the animal planet

sand artist Robert Schinkel gives some amazing performances in this one

a japanese art

Kseniya Simonova’s moving presentation at the Ukraine talent show

"say miaow girls!"

Strangely, most women of Maldives choose to wear the burkhaa in a style that is paradoxical to what it is expected of burkhaa attire. Slim Pencil jeans, body-tight jersey tops, shiny accessories and a tight chiffon burkhaa around the head are ‘stylish’ according to them. But ‘stylish’ can be in a decent form too, like the Arabs or the Malaysians: they do dress fashionably and in a modern sense yet they do not look like they are going for a swim in their ‘burkini’. I believe that these Maldivian women should realize that the whole point of wearing a burkhaa and abiding to the Muslim dress-code is to cover the figure in a decent manner and not expose every curve of the female form in a body suit similar to the cat woman!

Above  are some decent burkhaa styles (pictures taken from Hegab-Rehab blog). I like the beige pants with the kaftan (ideal for work too). It is elegant and sophisticated, the black one suits well for evening occasions. Hegab-rehab blog has some really helpful uploads of how-to’s of wearing burkhaa with some of her own colour coordination’s for you girls. Check out the link