Exclusive Preview of Mademoiselle Collection by Poca & Poca

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Hafsa

Recently featured as a “Line We Love” on Savoir Flair, Poca & Poca’s Summer 2011 collection has been a big hit amongst style connoisseurs in Dubai. Designer Karolina Gniewek was officially introduced to the city’s fashion scene at an event held by The Fashion Network at Bambah Boutique earlier this month, where guests loved her pieces—especially the layered cotton shorts and white jumpsuit with ruffles!

Now, only two weeks later, the Polish designer has unveiled her Mademoiselle Collection, which was shown at an exclusive preview last night. The event was hosted by Karolina herself, along with Dora Peric, founder of The Fashion Network.

pocapoca

The Mademoiselle collection is elegant, graceful, bold and stylish. Exaggerated palazzo pants and jumpsuits with delicate pleating, sheer overlays, satin cuffs and dainty round buttons, in deep shades of navy, purple, fuschia, emerald, black and champagne, were hung on racks around O-Concept Boutique in Jumeirah, where the pieces are available for sale.

Two of my favourite jumpsuits included a button-down long-sleeved champagne piece, and a similar style in black, but with buttons in the back instead of the front, and with a sheer sweetheart neck:

Stock is limited, so if you’re looking to stand out at the next evening event with a classy but unique outfit, visit O-Concept Boutique (located behind The One and near Saladicious in Jumeirah 1) and pick up a gorgeous piece from the Poca & Poca Mademoiselle Collection!

Lookbook photos courtesy of Poca & Poca

Jumpsuit of the Day: Issa F/W 2011 at London Fashion Week

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Hafsa

Designer Daniella Issa Helayel presented the Issa Fall/Winter 2011 collection at London Fashion Week in February. Lots of eyes were fixed on the runway, as the brand gained worldwide recognition after Kate Middleton donned an Issa design when announcing her engagement to Prince William!

The collection featured a mixture of prints and colours. The designer used some unique draping techniques on two elegant jumpsuits (featured earlier this month) that were part of the F/W collection, in addition to this navy swirl-printed piece, paired with a layered gold necklace and dark red pointed heels. The over-sized black furry hat gives a Russian street-chic vibe to the overall runway look.

View more of the Issa F/W 2011 RTW collection here.

PLUS- the London fashion house has confirmed its participation the Bras for a Cause Middle East competition, which promotes breast cancer awareness in this region. It will be interesting to see how the unky prints, bold colours and sophisticated yet funky cuts of Issa will appear on a bra or t-shirt! Visit Fustany.com to stay up to date with details about the competition and how and when to vote for your favourite designs.

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Currently Craving: Chic Cases by Diane Von Furstenberg at Boutique 1

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Hafsa

Schools and universities may just be coming to an end now, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start back-to-school shopping for some trendy and chic accessories for your electronics and school supplies. Graduated and working? Not a problem! These accessories will add some character to your everyday office materials.

Carry your laptop in style! This laptop case will protect your computer, and is so much more preferable than the laptop cases in store, that are either too drab and boring, or too neon and tacky. The golden tassel adds a stylish accent. It’s on sale now for ~~AED 687~~ AED 481!

This matching phone case will hold an iPhone or a Blackberry. A perfect case for those who don’t like to dress their phones in rubber skins, or plastic or metal covers. It’s on sale now for ~~AED 295~~ AED 207!

Lastly, this pencil case can hold anything from pens and markers, to makeup and cosmetics. The zip closure is decorated with a golden tassel, matching with the one on the laptop case pictured above! It’s on sale now for ~~AED 230~~ AED 161!

Visit Boutique1.com to view more Diane Von Furstenberg items available for purchase.

Photos courtesy of Boutique 1

The Clock Ticks for Designers Participating in “Bras For A Cause” Middle East

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Hafsa

June 26th is the final deadline for participants submitting designs for the “Bras for a Cause” Middle East Design Competition. Organizers of the competition, One Wig Stand and Fustany.com, have reported that they’ve received some great designs. For the rest of us, we have a little more than a week to get inspired, and get sketching.

If you find yourself lacking inspiration or enthusiasm for the project, but really want to get involved and submit some sketches, try out Maya Zankoul‘s fun application on Fustany, to get your creative wheels turning. It walks you through shapes, colours, patterns and embellishments for your bra design. Take a look the design I came up with (It combines some of the same elements as my official entry for the competition, which I will be submitting later this week!):

Read about some of the big designers who are taking part in “Bras for a Cause” Middle East, and click here to learn about the members of the jury team, who will be evaluating the submitted designs.

You can also follow Bras for a Cause on Twitter, and like the official Facebook page for more information about the design competition.

Jumpsuit of the Day: Louis Vuitton Resort 2010

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Hafsa

Last Wednesday, guests (including actress Kirsten Dunst) flocked to The Four Seasons restaurant pool-side in New York City to view the Louis Vuitton Resort 2012 runway show. Vintage floral prints, along with hues of red and blue dominated the runway, which was created using real grass!

American model Arizona Muse evokes an 80s maritime vibe in this navy blue jumpsuit. She looks pretty and poised in the clean-cut, wide-legged, sleeveless garment, which is bold and refreshing with a column of big, white buttons leading up to a refined peter pan collar.

View more looks from the Louis Vuitton Resort 2012 collection here.

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Currently Craving: T-Shirt by √FML²

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Hafsa

I’ve had my eye on Qatar-based T-Shirt brand √FML² for a while now, but it seems that every time I fall in love with one of their designs, they sell out! The funky and innovative brand produces casual T-shirts displaying graphics of fashion icons such as Karl Lagerfeld, as well as staple high fashion pieces such as the classic Chanel bag and red-soled Christian Louboutins. Here’s one my favourite designs:

Founded by two students attending the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, the brand has been taking orders online via www.fml-2.tumblr.com. But the good news is, the T-shirts will now be available to shoppers living in Dubai! This morning, s*uce boutique confirmed that the shipment has arrived, and is set to be selling in stores by this weekend!

Photos courtesy of √FML²

Jumpsuit of the Day: Jessica Szohr in Alice & Olivia

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Hafsa

While her Gossip Girl co-stars dazzled in Michael Kors and Balmain, Jessica Szohr looked a little less glamorous in a jumpsuit by Stacey Bendet for Alice & Olivia, at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards held last week.

She should be admired for taking a risk with this busy paisley print, but perhaps it’s the not-so-vibrant monochrome palette that makes the piece seem more suitable for an afternoon lunch than a red carpet event.

The brand seems to be on its way to becoming a favourite for jumpsuits amongst celebrities of hit teen series. Only last month, AnnaLynne McCord from 90210 also chose to wear an Alice & Olivia jumpsuit on the red carpet.

Photos courtesy of Jason Merritt ,Getty Images North America

Accessories Trend: Turbans

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Hafsa

If you’re shopping on a budget and want to grab hold of this season’s hottest headwear, check out the “Turban in Big City” available on Modcloth.com.

Urban Turban

It’s chic, black and simple, perfect forthose willing to try out the trend while staying safe, without fear of committing a potential fashion faux pas. It’s like a hat, you can just slip it on–no complicated scarf-wrapping or tying needed. Not to mention it’s selling for only US $14.99.

View photographs of celebrities and models in turbans published on Nay’s Daily, the style blog of fashion-forward Emirati fashion student, Nadya Hasan. 🙂

Currently Craving: Paper Eyelashes

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Hafsa

Chinese paper brand Paperself came out with these intricate false eyelashes over a year ago, and I’m surprised that they haven’t become a big beauty hit with celebrities.

Paperself eyelashes are selling for US$15 online at Asos.com and in Dubai, paper eyelashes are available for purchase in six different designs at Bullets & Butterflies Boutique located on the ground floor of Mercato Shopping Mall.

Photos courtesy of Paperself

Jumpsuit of the Day: Issa at London Fashion Week

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Hafsa

The collection featured a mixture of prints and colours, and this jumpsuit style made an appearance on the catwalk in a rich, solid orange-chocolate shade, as well as in a funky black and white pattern. The garment’s elegant drapery, high boat-neck and long, flared pants combine together beautifully!

View more of the Issa F/W 2011 RTW collection here.

Photo courtesy of Style.com