Jan 27, 2012

Spring/Summer 2012 Trend Watch: Gatsby Girl: 1920s Fashion









Take inspiration from the Jazz Age and glamour of The Great Gatsby (from the 1970s adaptation)










1920s fashion

Armani Exchange nylon stocking
$20 - armaniexchange.com

Dune t strap heels
£54 - johnlewis.com

Sondra Roberts vintage clutch
$188 - stefanibags.com

Tahitian pearl necklace
£225 - houseoffraser.co.uk




1920s fashion

Galliano dropwaist dress
£235 - flannelsfashion.com

Emilio Cavallini seamed hosiery
£2.70 - debenhams.com

Miss Selfridge crochet shoes
$80 - missselfridge.com

Jon Richard pink jewelry
£35 - debenhams.com

Forzieri south sea pearl earrings
$1,194 - forzieri.com




1920s fashion

Theyskens theory pleated skirt
$751 - my-wardrobe.com

L Autre Chose sand pump
$315 - stylebop.com

Tahitian pearl jewelry
$84,160 - barneys.com




1920s fashion

Marni floral blouse
£122 - theoutnet.com

Dorothy Perkins long skirt
$21 - dorothyperkins.com

Prada low heels
$342 - bluefly.com

Cultured pearl necklace
$165 - jcpenney.com

Givenchy post earrings
$32 - nordstrom.com

Jan 26, 2012

TOUJOURI Flagship Finally To Open!



After a long wait, and a lot of hard work, in just two days - yes, two days, Doha-based fashion designer Lama El Moatassem's label Toujouri will be officially opening its very first flagship store in The Pearl Qatar!


Toujouri founder and designer Lama El Moatassem


The Toujouri flagship, located in Parcel 1 of The Pearl Qatar, was designed by world-renowned architect Peter Marino - the same man who designed the flagships of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior as well as other big haute couture houses.

Everything about the store compliments the name of the brand - Toujouri means "chest" in Arabic. The entrance is a facade of a traditional wooden Arabic chest with giant brass studs, while the interiors are more simple and elegant, in modern neutrals and white, allowing the beautiful jewel toned and embellished clothes to sparkle and speak for themselves. You truly feel as if you are inside a giant treasure box, surrounded by all these opulent clothes which are almost like jewels.

Of the new flagship store, Peter Marino says, “We looked to the designer's unique iconography when designing Toujouri, and tried to reflect it in the store's architecture. That, combined with elements of the Qatari landscape, informed the store's overall design.”

"Emphasis on detail, texture and a hand-done effect is evident everywhere, from the marble floor to the hand-customised seating, the lighting and hand-painted screens which enhance the sensation of an evolving space.  This focus and enabling the environment to showcase garments as jewellery, making everything feel exquisite and inviting while enriching the shopping experience, communicates cleverly what Toujouri is about," says Lama.


 Be sure to pay Toujouri a visit next time you are down at The Pearl!

From the SS12 collection



From the SS12 collection

Jan 12, 2012

More UNDER YOUR ABAYA - inspired art!












I'm so in love with these pieces of graphic art created by LA-based graphic designer and student Jill Zachman, inspired by UNDER YOUR ABAYA, and the style-conscious women who wear the abaya and the hijab!

Here is what Jill told me about her work:


"When in Istanbul a few years ago, I noticed how fashionably dressed some of the Muslim women were.  I have since traveled to many places around the world and noticed the same thing.  I have photographed some of these fashionistas and created graphic designs based on them as part of my course work.  However, finding Under Your Abaya inspired me to develop a series of graphic designs telling a story about who women are, figuratively, under their abayas.  As a non-Muslim I think it is important for westerners to see beyond their cultural fears and biases when seeing Muslims.  The designs are my small part in educating westerners."


It is awesome to find non-Muslims like Jill who recognize how stylish and fashion-conscious many abaya and hijab wearers are! 


LEMUDA.COM: The countdown to the launch begins!







"Fashion fades, style remains" is one of my favorite style quotes from Coco Chanel and it's also the mantra of the Middle East's newest online luxury shopping boutique, LEMUDA.COM

Lemuda promises to be one online shopping portal that will enable you to truly create your own unique style by picking, and mixing and matching, pieces from their selection of high-end, world famous designers and easy-to-wear brands. Their online catalogue of products promises to be vast, updated weekly, and more importantly in with all the latest trends.

You will find clothing, shoes, accessories, sunglasses and jewelry from all your favorite big brands like Fendi, Just Cavalli, Lanvin, Etro, Celine, Valentino, Gucci and much more!


All customers within the Middle East can expect their orders to be delivered to them via express delivery within 3-4 days depending on your location.


In addition to that, Lemuda will be offering weekly special time-limited sales on women’s clothing, men’s shoes and clothes, children’s wear and toys, home-design and beauty products, coupons, travel and much more. There's something for everyone!

With just a few days to go until this new shopping experience launches online, Lemuda is offering a 10% discount to anyone who registers on the website now! Registration is free.


To check out the website, click here.


Don't forget to "like" their Facebook page too!




Here are a few of my favorite picks, available soon on LEMUDA.COM:






Swoon-worthy clutches!







Celine. Chic sunglasses to protect your eyes from the GCC sun are an essential. 









Everybody's been lusting over these Miu Mius!







Lanvin ballerina flats? YES PLEASE!

Jan 11, 2012

Sale at Impression Boutique!






Be sure to head down to Impression Boutique at The Pearl Qatar (Parcel 1) to bag yourself a bargain during their 30% sale which begins today and ends on January 26, 2012.

The sale includes selected items from all my favorite brands like Sass & Bide, Tibi, Nancy von Ostren, Darmaki, Noir, JCDC, Marcus Lupfer, House of Harlow, Bibhu Mohaparta and Ruthie Davis. 

Jan 1, 2012

STYLE CONFESSIONS with Impression Boutique!



I was given the great opportunity of collaborating with Impression Boutique to make a short video clip called "Style Confessions" where I pick my five top lust-worthy items from the boutique. 

Watch and enjoy!