The Queen of Knits, Sonia Rykiel, Has Done It Again! - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B - Day 6

My Personal slideshow below.
Slideshow photos taken by my friend Leah Grant

The "Queen of Knit", Sonia Rykiel, wows us again with her quirky sophisticated designs. This show was fun to watch. The big pompom balls, that the models wore to the side of their heads, were a bit distracting, but over all I really liked the line. The huge audience seemed to respond well to the collection, and I am happy to know that wearing knits can be fashionably fun to flaunt this coming Autumn/Winter season. By the way, Sonia Rykiel has a store in Dubai Mall, so the next time you visit, go and check out her boutique!

Thank you, Leah for taking photos for me at the Sonya Rykiel . We had a blast!

Tc,

Nia B

Andrew Gn - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B-Day 6

I almost did not make it to this show. It took me 30 minutes just to cross the street to the venue of the Andrew Gn show because of some marathon going on. I was frustrated, however once I made it inside, my frustration went right out the window. Andrew Gn party dresses were lovely. One after the other, these fabulous dresses kept appearing. I wanted every one of them! Hues of blue, grey and black seem to be this season’s preference of color. Unfortunately, I don’t have any fancy parties to go to aright now, but I can always dream of wearing one of Andrew Gn’s gorgeous dresses until an invitations come in.

Are you a fan of Andrew Gn? I love reading your comments, so let me know what you think! Tc, Nia B

Issey miyake - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B - Day 4

My Personal Invitation

Photos by Giovanni Giannoni

Issey Miyake has always been one of my dad’s favorite designers for men’s clothing, and now I have become a fan of his designs for women, as well. The runway show was simply extraordinary! I have never experienced anything like it before! The runway decoration was so inventive and captivating. Sitting there, I felt like I was part of an art installation, encapsulated in the mind of Dai Fujiwara himself! 

Dai Fujiwara’s RTW collection, for Issey Miyake, was inspired by mathematician William Thurston’s work on the Eight Geometries. How deep is that! The whole line was colorful, eclectic, wearable and truly meant for those without hang-ups about life! Every piece was uniquely put together, and can be mixed and matched perfectly with anything in your wardrobe. The tights and leggings were amazing, and I was completely inspired to add more bright colors to my outfits this winter, as well as the next.

I just loved it, loved it, and loved it!!! I can’t wait for this collection to hit Dubai.
Dai Fujiwara...you are brilliant!

Leave me a comment on what you think about this collection, and don’t forget to “Tell’m I told you!”

Tc,

Nia B

Damir Doma - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B - Day 2

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni

This was my first Paris runway show ever! I was so excited to have been invited to the Damir Doma show. The guests were stylish and unique, so I figured from the looks of the crowd, that the Damir event would be the same.

The opening of the show was a bit creepy, I must admit. As the strange haunting music began to play, the models began walking down the runway like they were in a trance. Their make-up was muted, the skin was dewy and pale, and the eye shadow was slightly smoky, making them appear sinister and angelic at the same time.

At first, while witnessing this unusual stage production, all I could do was think about the movie called, “Children of The Corn!” lol However, after getting over the initial scare of the beginnings, I was able to look past the darkness and see the work that went into making these unique cloths. The minimalist design, which loosely draped over the silhouettes of each model, was absolutely incredible. The mix of woven knits, sheers fabrics and cotton blends in black and shades of grays complemented the designer’s edgy garments, as well as gave the collection an over all conservative feel.

Used as an accessory, the hats worn by the models were a pleasant surprise. Each one made a strong statement of individuality, while the rest of the stylish esthetic had a clear order attached to it. As simple as these designs may have looked at first, each piece was artistically created with brilliance and incredible tailoring!

Thanks to Damir Doma, I have a new love for this type of fashion, which I will surely incorporate into my fall wardrobe…especially the hoddies!

Tc,

Nia B

Barbara Bui - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B - Day 3

Photos from New York online publication

The show, which I unofficially attended on Day 3, was the Barbara Bui show. I wasn’t even supposed to be there, but it just so happened that on this particular day, some students and I we were viewing a location for our senior fashion show, which was the same venue where the Barbara Bui runway show was taking place. How lucky was that? I even ran into a couple of editors from Dubai's Harper’s Bazaar Arabia magazine. What a coincidence!

Unfortunately, I did not stay for entire show because I had to run to another fashion event across town, but from what I did see, the clothes were phenomenal! I absolutely loved the leather garments and the thigh-high leather boots are to die for! I am not sure if I could ever where these clothes in Dubai because it’s not cold enough to do so, but I can definitely wear them in Paris! lol

Located above, are a few of my favorite items from the RTW A/W 2010 Barbara Bui collection, and a slide show for you to view of the entire collection. Enjoy, and let me know what you think by leaving your appreciated comments. xoxo

Nia B

Dubai Fashion Week A/W 2010 Emerging Talent Winners

Photo of the DFW Advisory Board Memebers and the Emerging Talent Winners

Photos by Imani

SPLASH Emerging Talent WINNERS ANNOUNCED

THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG DESIGNERS

Khalid Alhajri - Studio Kalid (Saudi Arabia)

Moza Al Mazrou – Gmaash (Emarati)

Banan Al Ryalat - Banan Al Ryalat (Jordanian)

Bisma Ahmed - B’ZMA (Pakistani)

My management team was present to witness these talented designers being chosen to display their designs at Dubai Fashion Week A/W 2010. There were initially 29 entries, which was reduced to fourteen finalists and only four were chosen to participate in the  runway show! It was a nail biting experience, but the judges, from the DFW advisory board, made it look easy. I can’t wait to see what these four designers will bring to DFW this season.

Congratulations and Good luck!

Fashion Designer Contest

If you love fashion and design, and think that you were “Born to Be” the next big thing in the fashion world, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t enter this exciting contest! Maybelline and DAS are not only giving the lucky winner $10,000 to jumpstart their fashion career, but the winner will also get a chance to intern for the UAE label, DAS. How phenomenal is that! I wish I could enter, but my drawing skills are a bit nonexistent…LOL.

Good luck to you all, who decide to enter. I look forward to wearing one of your fabulous creations some day! xoxo

Apply at www.maybellineborntobe.com  from March 15th, 2010

Burberry 3D A/W 2010 Runway Show Live in Dubai!

My Personal E-Invitation

Dubai Audience

Paris Audience

Actor Kate Hudson

Mary Kate Olsen

It is not everyday, that I get to attend a historical event. I am referring to the most spectacular event this year in Dubai thus far, which was the Burberry Prorsum Autumn Winter 2010 Women swear Show in 3D, broadcast on February 24th, 2010 at the Address Hotel, Dubai Mall.. It was a sight to see. I attended in Paris, while my management team was present at the show in Dubai, with all the other socialites and fashionistas from around the world.

I don’t think any of us have ever seen anything like it. The exclusive Dubai venue, attended by over 350 A-list guests, was fabulous! Before the event began, we were all handed Burberry cases with 3D glasses inside, then lead to a very stylish room and waited in anticipation for the Burberry Women’s Wear A/W “Live” in 3D show to begin. When lights went dim and the screen lit up, all faces were mesmerized by the models walking down the runway in the most fabulous clothing, as though they were really in the room with us! It was surreal.

The global fashion show, which physically took place at the Chelsea College of Art and Design in London, was attended by over 1000 guests including celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Kristen Stewart, and Mary Kate Olsen, to name a few. The 3D Burberry simulcast was custom designed by Christopher Bailey and held at five simultaneous private screening rooms around the world, which included Paris, New York, Dubai, Tokyo and Los Angeles live from London…and Dubai’s It Girl was there to witness it all!

I can’t wait for the next Burberry event. What will they come-up with next?

Thanks to the Dubai organizers, RR&Co, and Burberry for making this an event to remember for a lifetime!

And... don't forget to let me know what you think about the new Burberry Prorsum Colletion A/W 2010.

xoxo

JYK launches one-stop shop for Fashionistas in 2010

Local fashion designer Juhi Yasmeen Khan unveiled her flagship designer boutique on February 21st, 2010, JYK. Located in Al Mina Road, the boutique features nine established and upcoming designers, including Celebrity designer labels such as Shahid Afridi, Salma Khan, Sanskriti, Najibah Pandor, Mariam Al Mazro, Homa Qamar, Anam Sohail, Aartivijay Gupta and Ayesha Shiraz.

Bringing the best of the fashion world to one convenient location, the JYK boutique offers customers everything from ready-to-wear garments such as tunics, evening and cocktail dresses, to Indian and Pakistani ethnic wear for ladies and menin addition to local Abayas, Jalabiyas and select designer accessories. Shahid Afridi’s collection will be his first foray into the Gulf and is bound to be a hit with his loyal fans and followers.

The boutique will officially be open to the public on Saturday February 27th 2010, so don’t miss out on shopping at Dubai’s newest fashion venue, JYK!

Story Book Woods Women-Topshop Unique and Charles Anastase A/W 2010 at London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week designers are showing some very interesting creations this season. Themes like Fantasy, Grecian Goddess, Avatar, Schoolgirl, and Goth Queen can all be identified in this years A/W 2010 London catwalk shows. So, there is no surprise that Topshop Unique, along with designer Charles Anastase, followed in a stage theme of the “Story Book Woods Woman,” living during the time of global warming. In this runway fable, the models wore layers of oversized knits and coats, colorful skirts, and animal head dresses, which covered the top of styled matted hair.

Beyond all of the dramatic staging of a forest like environment and the strange appearance of the models─the clothing was fabulous! I loved the long leather swing vests, the thick thigh-high knitted socks, and the plethora of heavy wool coats, sweaters and jackets that came down the runway. However, my absolute favorite item from this line was the strapless leather dress! I will definitely add a couple of pieces from this youthful collection to my winter wardrobe. I think Charles Anastase has done a fabulous job, and I can’t wait for what Topshop Unique will come up with next season.

Tell'm I told you!

Nia B

xoxo