Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Egypt gets its first luxury shopping website!



What do you get when you put 'coterie' and 'boutique' together? COTERIQUE!

Ever thought about how hard it is to shop for designer items in Egypt? Or the hassle of tracking your online orders? You're not the only one, because Dana Khater was thinking the same thing when she started Coterique, Egypt's first high-end shopping website.

The 20-year-old Economics student at AUC started VITRINA, the first fashion magazine at AUC and soon enough she got the idea for Coterique.

"Nothing is tailored to Middle Eastern taste," explains Dana, "Websites like Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi know that the Middle East is a lucrative region yet they do nothing about it." 

"There are some extremely talented Middle Eastern designers on par with Alex Wang but with nowhere to show their designs except for boutiques in their cities. They never get the kind of reach that only a few like Elie Saab got."

Dana decided to start a high-end fashion website for the Middle East that's beautifully curated with styling as the backbone of the site. The website offers a luxurious experience; from invitations, to the customer service you get over the phone or through social media, to the packaging. And most important, to integrate designers from the Middle East such as Kage, Madiyah Al Sharqi and Essa.

Coterique provides customers with a personal stylist via Skype or over the phone to personalize their order. They'll be revealing a gift selection option in time for Xmas shopping, so stay tuned! :)





Thursday, December 5, 2013

The New H&M Sport Collection

The new H&M Sport: an expanded concept with focus on performance, fit and function 

Swedish retail giant H&M announced the evolution and growth of its H&M Sport concept in January 2014. The new H&M Sport will offer greater choice and new designs for more sporting activities, reflecting the increasingly active lifestyles of women, men and children.

The collection has been designed with input from world-class professional athletes from the Swedish Olympic team, placing the emphasis on performance, with a natural instinct for fashion. In addition to the new visual identity, H&M Sport will also get its own dedicated area in selected stores.

“The new H&M Sport is so exciting, especially with the expert input from athletes from the Swedish Olympic team. Sport and fitness is becoming an increasingly important part of all of our lifestyles, and the new H&M Sport is there to help you look and feel great,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Head of Design at H&M.

The women's collection offers pieces for multiple disciplines. That means running clothes for whatever the weather, with a windproof and water-repellent running jacket along with all other running needs; athletic quick-dry pieces for workouts; loose and comfortable garments for body and mind activities such as yoga, and protective fleece jackets and water-repellent bottoms for those who love the outdoors. Functionality and comfort are key to the design and so is colour which comes in a wide palette.






Monday, November 4, 2013

The Rumors are Confirmed!



Nicholas Ghesquiere Officially Named Creative Director of Louis Vuitton

The industry favorite replaces Marc Jacobs, who showed his final collection for the French house during Paris Fashion Week, the same day he officially announced his departure. 

Although Ghesquiere's placement seems quick and decisive, insiders have been murmuring about this current round of musical chairs, which began with Ghesquiere exiting Balenciaga in November 2012 and the soon-after naming of Alexander Wang as his replacement, for months. 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Isabel Marant for H&M - The Lookbook

Yesterday, Isabel Marant hosted a party celebrating the collaboration in her native Paris, and the collection certainly does not diasappoint.

In the lookbook, Alek Wek, Lou Doillon, Milla Jovovich and Constance Jablonski model pieces that echo Marant's Parisian bohemian aesthetic perfectly. An embellished trophy jacket is worn with leather cropped trousers; a loose peasant top with printed jeans; and mannish outerwear with white trousers and slouchy boots with fringed detailing. Below are some of my favorite pieces.

Start making your wishlist now, before the collection lands in stores on November 14. 






Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Kate Moss is Back!


So Kate Moss is really back - and I'm not just talking about her Topshop collection (post coming up about that). Today it was announced that Kate will be joining British Vogue as a contributing fashion editor.

"I am absolutely delighted that Kate is going to work with us in this new role," said Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. "Her undoubtedly brilliant sense of style, depth of fashion knowledge, and understanding of what makes a wonderful image will be exciting to see used in the pages of British Vogue. I am really looking forward to working with her on ideas."

As if 33 covers on the title wasn’t enough, Moss’ first story will be in the upcoming Spring issue. It’s really not that far off considering some of our favorite editors (Carine Roitfeld, Grace Coddington) modeled before moving on to the biggest fashion magazines in the business.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Alexander Wang Spring 2014


The minimalism trend is taking over New York Fashion Week. Alexander Wang, the one designer who has embraced minimalism for several seasons presented his Spring 2014 collection with androgynous styles of open button-up tees and jumpsuits modified as dresses.

The color palette this season is understated with black and white and other neutral hues.
Wang also showcases a graphic pattern of his logo replicated on tops and belts as well as cheeky shirts that read “Parental Advisory Explicit Content” across the models’ chest.

  
  
  
  
  
  





Friday, August 30, 2013

VMAs 2013 - The Good, The Bad and The What Were You Thinking?


Taylor Swift in Herve Leger
Taylor Swift looked amazing in a figure-hugging Herve Leger floor-length gown.. Probably my favorite look. She later took home the award for Best Female Video.

Katy Perry in Emanuel Ungaro
Katy Perry wore a skin-tight animal-inspired dress straight off the Emanuel Ungaro runway. Katy, you could have done better..


Miley Cyrus in Dolce & Gabbana
Apparently, Miley wanted to go as a Mariachi band member? The outfit was a Dolce & Gabbana design.
I don't really know what she was thinking, or what happened to her hair.. Not even going to comment on her performance later that night. 


Selena Gomez in Versace
Not sure how I feel about this one.. Kind of feels like someone attached her and tore down half her dress?




Ciara in Givenchy
Uhm.. no.


Lady Gaga in Prabal Gurung 
Lady Gaga wore a flattering Prabal Gurung look on the red carpet before taking the stage. Of course this was followed by multiple crazy costume changes on stage. Gaga ended the night wearing just three seashells and string. Literally.


Erin Wasson
Model Erin Wasson showed off her figure in a body baring dress... or should we say sheer sheath?


Rita Ora in Alexandre Vauthier
Rita Ora wore a feathered long-sleeved Alexandre Vauthier gown on the red carpet, and I have to say I hate it.


Shailene Woodley
VMA presenter Shailene Woodley bared her midriff and her abs on the red carpet. I love the skirt! 


Jennifer Hudson in Dior 
Jennifer Hudson was all smiles in a Dior top and skirt



Iggy Azalea in Emilio Pucci
Rapper Iggy Azalea matched her hair to her Emilio Pucci sheer gown


Allison Williams in Valentino
"Girls" star Allison Williams looked amazing in a long-sleeved Valentino dress.


Melanie Iglesias
"Girl Code" actress Melanie Iglesias turned heads in a daring purple gown



Ashanti
In case the plunging neckline and thigh-high slit on Ashanti's dress weren't enough, the singer was sure to show off even more skin by pulling her dress aside on the red carpet.



Coco Rocha in Fausto Puglisi


Model Coca Rocha kept it simple on the red carpet in an embellished Fausto Puglisi jacket and skinny pants to complete her punk look.




Ariana Grande in Kenley Collins


"The Way" singer Ariana Grande showed off her sweet side in a floral Kenley Collins dress.



Holland Roden in Naeem Khan
Holland Roden donned an elegant look from the Naeem Khan 2014 Resort collection




Saturday, August 17, 2013

Frasier Sterling Jewelry

So today I decided to share with you a jewelry line that immediately became a personal favorite. Frasier Sterling Jewelry is designed by the very talented Frasier Lipton. 

It's a beautiful boho chic line that is perfect for layering or wearing alone. Seen on celebrities including Alessandra Ambrosio, Jessica Alba and Vanessa Hudgens, the mix of shells, beads, and stones is simply gorgeous. Head over to Frasier Sterling Jewelry to check out the beautiful pieces. Here are some of my favorites.

PS: Stay tuned for a giveaway soon! :)






Alessandra Ambrosio in Frasier Sterling