Anyone for a Banana? Emirates Woman & Banana Republic Event in Dubai 2010

All Photos Taken by Bruce Strickland    

When it comes to quality clothing, casual style and a relaxed fit, Banana Republic has always been my first choice. The fact that you can look great in affordable, quality clothing is the best part about the Banana Republic label.

Last week, while I was running around “The City of Lights” in the cold during Paris Fashion Week, the Dubai’s It Girl team was invited to see the newest Banana Republic collection styled by the Emirates Woman fashion team, in sunny Dubai.

Emirates Woman Magazine and Banana Republic (Dubai Mall) did a wonderful job creating an event that was a complete success! All guests were given a 20% discount coupon upon entering the boutique; waiters and waitresses walked around serving complimentary hors d'oeuvre and tasty beverages while everyone happily shopped and looked at the beautiful male and female models wearing Banana Republic Spring/Summers 2010 outfits around the store. The presentation, given by the EW fashion team, was fun and informative.

Thanks for the invite EW! It was a first class affair.

Tc,

Nia B

Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé in NEW video "Telephone"

Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé Telephone Video Premiere

Director: Jonas Åkerlund

This nine minute and thirty-two second epic video is the latest release by the Gaga Queen herself, featuring songstress Beyoncé. This is the second time that these top female vocal artists were involved in a musical collaboration. I believe this song will be as successful as the first song “Video Phone”, but I’m certain that these two will be heavily scrutinized for some of the scenes in the "Telephone" video. You be the judge!

However critical some will be, I must admit (once I got over the ranuchiness), that I loved the cartoony over the top fashion costumes (fun), as well as, the “Thelma and Louise” reference of two outlaw girls on the run. The choreography was hot, and the dialog between characters was comedic.

So, as you can tell, I obviously like the song, but what I really want to know is what your think of this latest video drop! Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us :)…and don’t forget to "Tell’m I told you!"

Tc,

Nia B

John Galliano - Paris Fashion Week A/W 2010-2011 with Nia B - Day 6

My Personal Invitation!

Below is a slideshow of photos taken by my friend, Leah Grant,

who acted as my photographer during the Galliano show.

Sorry that I took so long to post this on my blog, but I have been bombarded with taking mid-terms this week! I am tired, tired, tired! I can’t wait to get back to Dubai this week and relax on the beach!

It has been a dream come true to have been invited to some of the most fabulous runway shoes this A/W 2010-2011 Paris Fashion Week. Of course, Galliano was the highlight of all the fashion shows I attended. He is a pure creator of imagination and should always be thought of as one the greatest designers of our time.

Funny enough, this was supposed to be the season for Ready-to-Wear; however, I’m not sure John Galliano got the memo! lol His showcase was over the top as usual, with all the couture extremes attached. The “Ghetto Geisha” hair styles and the gigantic Afghani hats, which the model wore, were outrageous. Some of the clothing looked like it could have been worn by the Pirates of the Caribbean and others reminded me of the costumes that the Harlem Renaissance female performers would wear, like Josephine Baker in the 1920 to 1940’s period.

Over all, I enjoyed watching this fanciful collection and all the mix of delightful fabrics. I know I could rock the skirt with the belts resting around thighs, as well as some of those tailored blazers with the fur sleeves. It was all so surreal, exciting and energetic and the models were stunning! I was just glad to be a part of it, and it didn’t hurt that I was sitting right across for “The Queen” herself, Anna Wintour! Wow…what an experience!

Hey fashion lovers; I can’t wait to hear what you have to say! All comments are always a joy to read…oh, and don’t forget to “tell’m I told you!”

Tc,
Nia B

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