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GLAMSOCIAL MEDIA

Where are you headed this summer? In keeping with our travel special this issue, we want you take us along on your journey! Tweet, or post

photos of yourself with a copy of our magazine to our Instagram or Facebook pages with the

hashtag #summerglamqatar and stand a chance to be featured in our feedback section next

month! Be creative, lounge with us by the pool or take us on a hike up Machu Picchu!

COMING UP

EVENTS OF THE MONTHThe Mercedes-Benz

FashionWeek Amsterdam3 13 July 2015

A combination of fashion in downtown Amsterdam and catwalk presentations, this bi-annual event reaches out to both locals

and visitors. Embracing all fashion fans, Zalando presents 10 Days Downtown: 10 public downtown events organised at 10 cultural venues during a special fashion extravaganza. These unique events are

linked to cultural locations characteristic of Amsterdam and are all open to the public allowing a varied audience to

become acquainted with the diversity of Dutch fashion. Industry guests can experience catwalk shows at the

Westergasfabriek, which will offer the first glimpses of upcoming collections.

Our bumper September issue comes with runway reports of the most on-point

collections for Autumn /Winter 2015 the biggest trends, the hottest buys, and how to wear them! Image: Ashley Williams AW15 by

Shaun James Cox, British Fashion Council.

G TalkPre-fall collections, once regarded as trans-seasonal store fillers, have really come into their own as an important part of the fashion calendar. Even emerging designers from our region have begun producing for this gap season, an area previously dominated by the more well-heeled major labels for commercially-driven reasons. Within industry circles, it is a well-known fact that pre-fall looks generally stay on the retail floor longer than their more publicised spring and autumn cousins, but it also captures a profitable timing in the year when shoppers are more likely to splurge. When travel plans abound and the shift in seasons bring uncertain weathers, the need for a versatile and functional wardrobe arises.

And nothing is more functional yet stylish than a sturdy pair of culottes, the key to this seasons biggest trends. Cleverly hemmed above the ankles, they are great for traversing the streets of the urban city or the sandy beach, wherever your choice of retreat. Take a cue from our in-depth pre-fall feature on what to wear with culottes, and find inspiration on where to holiday in our travel round-up that comes complete with a must-pack list. this month, the Saudi designer Nora Al Shaikh regales us with tales of her honeymoon to Bora Bora Island through a mid-season collection that is femininely chic, while the creative director of Aspinal London, Mariya Dykalo, shares why Porto Montenegro is a favourite summer hotspot.

For Eid, brighten up the festive spirit with pastel interpretations of the new label HZ by Hissa, a homegrown brand of three Qatari sisters. Designed by Hissa, the youngest of the trio who is also a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, the label is another testament to the bourgeoning fashion scene that we are committed to developing and supporting. And if you are still looking for the best presents to impress, weve got an Eid gift guide that will surely clinch the deal.

EID MUBARAK, AND SEE YOU IN AUTUMN.

EDITORS PICK

QATARI DESIGNER ALIYA AL OBAIDLY LAUNCHES HER NEW COLLECTION, THAHAB, WHICH MEANS GOLD IN ARABIC. INSPIRED BY THE DESERT AND THE SUN, ALIYA EXPLORES THE JUXTAPOSITION BETWEEN MINIMALISM AND TRADITION. THAHAB IS NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT JO LA MODE IN ROYAL PLAZA.

12 \ TRENDS

SAVE1 Cropped trousers, QR146, Zara, Villaggio Mall.2 White jumpsuit, QR247, H&M, Villaggio Mall.3 Knitted cardigan, QR165, H&M, Villaggio Mall.4 Striped cotton dress, QR149, Old Navy, Gulf Mall.5 Colour block shorts, QR205, H&M, Villaggio Mall.6 Bell-sleeve top, QR 153, H&M, Villaggio Mall.

CREATURECOMFORT

Whether its for planning your vacation wardrobe or jazzing up your mid-

season sartorial slump, the pre-fall collections are enticingly exciting this year. Comfort is everything, with the classic culottes becoming a staple, be it in bold colours or sturdy fabrics, as long as it is a cropped hem. White is the preferred palette, with designers dishing out all-white dresses and suit

combinations. An oversized coat is necessary while travelling, but feel free to nip it in the waist with a thin belt to give shape to your silhouette. While it is easy to go overboard when it comes to fringes, just a dash of the detail to your garment nails the pre-fall brief.

On prints, stripes rule the day and dont be afraid to mix up the horizontal with the vertical for an eye-catching effect.

DEBRINA ALIYAH

SPLURGE1 Tribeca culottes, QR1,200, Raoul, Lagoona Mall.2 White dress, QR 1,735, Cushnie Et Ochs, The Outnet.3 Dallas dress, QR2,240, Raoul, Lagoona Mall.4 Kimono wrap jacket, QR2,820, Raoul, Lagoona Mall.5 Nairobi silk shorts, QR1,159, Totme, Net-A-Porter.6 Nairobi silk top, QR1,204, Totme, Net-A-Porter.

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JULY/AUGUST 2015GLAM / ON OUR

RADAR AN EDIT OF THINGS THAT ARE HOT NOWFONDAZIONE PRADA

The fusion of fashion and art continues to strengthen as luxury heritage brands lend their influences to promote artistic endeavours. The two-decade-old Fondazione Prada finally unveiled its new permanent venue in Milan, a transformational architectural project led by Rem Koolhaas, set in Largo Isarco in the south of Milan. Characterised by an articulated architectural configuration which combines seven existing buildings with three new structures (Podium, Cinema and Torre), the new venue is the result of the transformation of a distillery dating

back to the 1910s. It complements the foundations existing Venetian outpost in the 18th century Palazzo Ca Corner della Regina. Fondazione Prada was created to analyse present times through the staging of contemporary art exhibitions as well as architecture, cinema and philosophy projects. The diversity of the new spaces has become the incentive to develop an experimental, stimulating programme in which different languages and disciplines, though independent from each other, coexist in order and activate an ever-changing, evolving, intellectual process.

The quirky portrayals and interpretations of the fashion world by artist Tiffany Cooper come to life in a mini-collection of ready-to-wear and accessories for Karl Lagerfeld this summer. Tiffanys signature brand of warm-hearted humour captures moments of Karl and his

famous pet cat, Choupette, on a summer road trip. Ive been looking for a way to portray Karl for a long time. Then, a year ago, I finally found it. Choupette naturally became the humoristic

foil to Karls false severity, explains Tiffany. The definitive features of her role model, as she

calls Lagerfeld, presents him bedecked in a leather biker jacket and jeans. Cotton beach bags, PVC

shopping bags, printed slip-ons, caps and jewellery complete the tongue-in-cheek collection.

TIFFANY COOPER FOR KARL LAGERFELD

NUDES COLLECTION

RITA ORA DRAGON PACK

A nude pump with a red sole is unmistakably a Christian Louboutin shoe, a colour combination made iconic when it was first launched in the summer of 2013. This year, the shoemaker reintroduces the Nudes Collection with a capsule of four additional classic and season shoe styles, each available in five different shades of nude. In celebration of every skin colour, the spectrum of nude shades range from fair to rich chestnut. Nude is not a colour, its a

concept, Christian says. The 2015 collection includes four new styles, Iriza, So Kate, Deepik and Dorissima. The Deepik flaunts a curved upper and a wavy mirage heel, the Dorissima is a single sole pump with a heart-shaped toe box and thin heel. By elongating the legs and complementing a womans silhouette, the nude shade conveys fluidity, versatility and the allure of the female body, an ongoing inspiration for the shoemaker.

The wildly successful collaboration between popstar Rita Ora and Adidas Originals has kept fans on their toes as they

eagerly await every new pack that is gradually released throughout each season. This summer has seen Rita delve into icons of futuristic x-rays, mysterious smoke, pop art, and most recently, Asian symbols. The Dragon Pack takes

the Western basketball-inspired silhouettes of generous vests and shorts and gives it a fiery Asian treatment in

vibrant, dragon prints. The mood board was inspired by Rita, who has long been drawn to the energy and power symbolised by the dragon in Asian culture. Conveyed in prints of fire reds and flame yellows, the collection is a bridge between Western style and Eastern culture. The

collection extends to the Superstar sneakers. Our favourite piece from the collection has got to be the elongated vest

that will serve as a pretty dress for summer days.

15

CHRISTOPHER KANE

This collection is a diverse look at autumnal dressing, highlighted by the designers eye for detail and mastery in

motifs. The designer opened with a patent leather biker jacket with Mongolian wool and uses leather across dark tailoring and

dresses and separates as asymmetric patches and closures. Using an origami technique to create cut-outs of solid pink,

Christophers signature one-colour lace then comes to play as a series of floral panels and patchworks of rectangular forms. Accessory highlights include crocodile shoulder bags with a

chunky plastic clip, worn with a fur coat and luxe striped leather gloves. Footwear includes twisted minimalist sandals,

flat biker boots and patent slippers, decorated with embroidered bands.

THE ROW

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsens core label brings forth knits, cashmere coats, and cut-off culottes as the core of this collection.

With no prints, the focus is on the pure, yet sombre palette of solid tones, from biscuit and sand to olive greens, blues, mauve

and deep orange-red. A series of draped robes, eschewing lapels and collars, solidify the sisters signature aesthetics, including a series of minimalist raincoats. There are also surfing references,

from wetsuit-style zippers and stitching, to bonded neoprene-style backings to fabrics, while more obvious luxury comes in the form of fur wraps, suede and astrakhan coats, as

well as sharp tailored separates. Bags are mostly simple, in natural tones, apart from a bright, metallic patent python model, paired

with some long silk smock eveningwear.

PRE-FALL 2015A TRIBUTE TO THE 70S, ROCK AND ROLL AESTHETICS, AND A STURDY PAIR

OF CULOTTES, WILL SET YOU ON YOUR MERRY WAY THIS MID-SEASON.

TRENDS / 21

CHLO

Clare Waight Keller unveils a dreamy 70s rock-inspired collection of military buttons on flat-fronted wide-legged trousers, 70s tailored

jackets and rich fabrics ranging from colourful tweeds, houndstooth, Art Nouveau floral brocade and broderie anglaise, to metallic floral

embroidery, as well as oversized blanket coats in picnic rug plaids.We were looking at the glam rock of David Bowie and Marc Bolan, mixed

with the softer side of Kate Bush, says Clare. Kate came from a dreamy countryside idyll to the grunge of the city -- but always kicked

around in her brothers coats and leather jackets. There were a few sporty touches, like the gray marl jogging bottoms and python bags, and a hint of late summer with lighter dresses in caramel coloured floral detailing. slingbacks added another country girl touch, along

with some rock n roll paisley, quilted leather jackets and patchwork shearlings. Another key theme was the abundance of warm knits,

which came enriched with grey cashmere or ribbed velvet.

CHANEL

Chanels annual pre-fall extravaganza took place at Schloss Leopoldskron, a palace in the snowy Austrian city of Salzburg.

Set in the castles elaborate fantasy land, the collection was fixed on central European colours and motifs (the Lederhosen made plenty of trips down the runway), which then travelled through time from Rococo frock coats to more modern biker

jackets, and ruffled collars. The classic Chanel tweed jacket was reinterpreted la Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with gold piping

instead of lapels. Patent leather touches contrasted with dresses in broderie anglaise fastened with black silk bows, quilted

details, pleats, and loads of Tyrolean florals which appeared both as rustic appliqu and intarsia knits. With over eighty

looks, there were also plenty of mens pieces in the collection.

22

PROENZA SCHOULER

Designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez worked on an extension of their summer collection for pre-fall. The duo set about continuing to explore the code of classic American sportswear with

plenty of references to menswear tailoring, through tweed and plaid. Other key themes included oversized coating and knitwear, a variety of pleats and wide-leg pants, and detailed embroidered patterns instead

of prints. Gone were summers python and patent leather, and some of the more overtly sporty elements were replaced with tiered and

quilted dresses, shaggy wool coats, ribbed knit dresses and a series of asymmetric tunic tops with geometric prints or plaid. Shoes featured the brands woven leather technique in monochrome colour palettes

and peep-toe sandal or boot styles, while accessories were focused on plush crocodile backpacks, with contrasting metallic hardware.

EMPORIO ARMANI

The Italian house plays with proportions, in a mostly red and blue colour palette, and serves up plenty of

mid-length skirts alongside a choice selection of ample trousers cut at the shin. These are paired with small tailored jackets: some with short sleeves cut at

t-shirt length, thick t-shirts working in place of blazers, and dyed furs. The evening looks are all about baring the arms and legs. Fabrics include warm wools, knits and colourful jacquards, mixed with technical fabrics including an ikat printed nylon and leather. Footwear include lace-ups inspired by mens shoes, which come in a choice of velvet finish or clear plastic, crocodile

high-heeled stilettos and biker boots.

TRENDS / 23

JASON WU

Jason goes back to on autumnal elegance with a typically Boss-like minimalism (Jason is also the creative director of Hugo Boss), mixed

in with his own signature touches of glamorous metallic. Fabrics include warm double-faced cashmere and leather pulled into a mixture of tightly-tailored dresses and coats, belted at the

waist, some featuring asymmetric folds and contrast lapels. Coats are worn with roll-neck sweaters while highlights include a dark tuxedo with wide-leg pants and an abstract metallic closure, a

similarly shaped jumpsuit in rich wool, as well as a slinky spaghetti strap gown with stunning geometric lines of embroidery. The

accessories come in bottle green, which contrast with the neutral tones of most of the collection, while footwear includes plenty of

pairs of minimalist high-heeled sandals.

MULBERRY

Mulberry looks to traditional English countryside houses for inspiration, with key motifs of autumnal countryside scenes,

Georgian houses, and countryside cottage prints, as well as an oak leaf print which draws from William Morris and his Arts and Crafts movement. Shapes are oversized with long pleated leather skirts,

loosely tailored culottes and blazers, and more asymmetric pleats on the hips, which unveil print and colour. The palette is reminiscent of the Georgian-era, from powder blue and sandstone pink, to an Earl

Grey tone, which play off against classic neutrals and a red brick hue. All the shoes are worn with contrasting bobby socks, and the key

styles include a reworking of the classic loafer, as well as high-heel Chelsea boots, and almond-toed ankle boots. Highlights from the

accessories include deep burgundy ostrich leather bags and clutches.

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DONNA KARAN

It is all about the modern New York vibe as the legendary designer explores two themes: a sexy, slick, black leather take on military chic, and an experiment with fabrics and cuts. Tailored army coats come in neoprene-bonded jersey, and the material also appears in a series of dresses and separates. There is also a plethora of round retro-military buttons, a trending detail this

season, in mixed metals. Silk shirts are split open, and combined with slick tailoring, including generous culottes and satin

peep-toe platforms. Other highlights include kimono-style tops tucked into high-waisted skirts, while a crisp and crinkled

bomber jacket and a check jacquard adds more texture to the mix, as does the semi-sheer silk of the skirts.

GUCCI

Frida Giannini decided to go hunting around in the bourgeois soul of the woman. The journey revolved around plenty of fur,

including a woven goat jacket, shearling outerwear with Mongolian lamb on the neckline, and fox-fur patchwork jackets.

Menswear-inspired tailoring in tweed, herringbone and geometric jacquards are worn with wide-leg culottes, knee-length skirts,

and silk blouses with waistlines pulled in and sleeves puffed out. The 70s-inspired looks continue with suede and leather pieces, and mohair, merino and alpaca knitwear. Colours include brick red, burgundy, apricot, and dark orange, along with pink, blue, and ivy green and are complemented by charcoal, black, and camel neutrals. The key footwear look is the python stiletto,

which is also reimagined as flat, point-toe brogues.

TRENDS / 25

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

This collection, signifying the end and the beginning of an era, is the last collection that the late Dominican-American designer had

a hand in creating. It is Oscars final collection before his death, which is finished by the new creative director Peter Copping, and represents the link between the old and the new at the esteemed

brand. That duality is present in the silhouettes and feel of the clothes, moving from minimalist daywear to extravagant, but

subtle eveningwear. The former is presented in solid, neutral tones, with only a few guipure lace pieces breaking up the colour

blocking. The eveningwear includes elaborately worked fabrics of lace with contrasting colour embroidery and floral prints. One key theme tying it all together is the collections interest in asymmetry,

with off-centre ruffles adding a touch of the unexpected.

ERDEM

Erdem Moralioglu, served up a 1960s inspired collection, mixing grey wool coats and dresses with lace-effect detailing, iris print

dresses, silk pieces with floral embroidery and this seasons apparent must-have, a flat-front, wide-leg pair of pants.

Eveningwear options ranged from shorter cocktail frocks to long floating silk gowns, all cut tight to the body, as were the two-coloured diamond patterned pieces in lace. Crystal

embellishment was another fun touch, with some patterned sparkle added to leather pieces and jacquard fabrics. All those

ladylike dresses were offset by the masculine touch of flat decorated brogues, while other footwear included two-tone,

t-bar pointed sandals with chunky heels.

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J.W. ANDERSON

J.W. Anderson finds inspiration in the spirit of French insouciance, dubbing his pre-fall collection as a wardrobe for the intellectually independent. After successfully reigniting the fire at Loewe as the Spanish brands creative director, the

designer showed off his growing confidence with leather, presenting soft dresses and coats in the material, with fun

oversized decorative buttons. Bold shapes included high-waisted pants, 1970s-style prints and asymmetric belted

details. The warm winter and autumnal tones of the palette were matched with plush velvet, corduroy, faux fur, and covetable shearling coats. Footwear was also a mix of

in-your-face and quiet refinement, with patchwork loafersin suede and patent materials with a chunky heel.

MARNI

Consuelo Castiglioni goes eclectic by looking to the clash of 1970s prints and designs for her forward-thinking new collection at Marni.

Asymmetrical touches to skirts and patterns designed to evoke Suzan Frecons paintings, are eye-catching as are the colour-block dresses and coloured furs inspired by artist Nick Caves tactile sound suits. Patterned socks are worn with footwear, which is focused on mule

sandals, boots with sculptural heels, and running shoes in geometric prints. There are also some subtle elements including solid smock

tops, military felts, quilted nylons, leather, rib knits and smooth flared pants. Chunky leather envelope belts are worn high on the waist, accompanied with gloves. Glamour came from Asian-inspired silk

floral looks and dash of crystal embellishment on gowns. The dense color palette mixes the somber and the occasionally electric through

a range of neutrals, greens, blues and reds.

TRENDS / 27

GIAMBA

For Giambattista Vallis first pre-fall showing for his new youth-oriented diffusion line Giamba, the designer went with

a continuation of the themes unveiled during the brands debut collection. Shoes switched between peep-toe platform sandals and cool printed slip-on skate shoes, worn with dark

black lace tights. Giambattistas Twiggy-esque baby-doll dresses in lace and 1960s florals were at the heart of things, joined by Art Nouveau-style prints, brocade, chunky knits, hearts, and

satin bows. While the silhouettes were clean, this collection is all about decoration with even the tailoring appearing with

prints. Outerwear included parkas, Mongolian wool coats and other shearling pieces, as well as dyed furs. The colour palette

opened with soft pastel pinks, before moving on to richer classically autumnal mustard, burgundy and khaki shades.

VALENTINO

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli serve up anenormous ninety-seven-looks collection featuring the Italian houses trademark romanticism and love of detail. This seasons

Valentino girl is all about escapism, with wide range of shapes and decorative touches inspired by the bohemian spirit, and the

aesthetic patchwork of women like Celia Birtwell, Gloria Vanderbilt and Giosetta Fioroni. The brand worked with esteemed British

printmaker, Birtwell, on the prints, intarsia, and embellishments, which were inspired by Botticellis Primavera. The designers also

borrowed from the red heart motifs designed by the Italian artist Giosetta Fioroni. The shapes are classic and sleek with finishes and decorations that include floral and studded versions of the brands

old V logo from 1968, retro pop color blocking, mirror embellishment, camouflage print, brocaded butterflies and denim.

28

COSTUME NATIONAL

Creative director Ennio Capasa was asked by the contemporary artist Marina Abramovic, to contribute to the recent Art of

Elysium gala in Los Angeles, with the events Heaven theme giving form to his latest collection. Ennio presents a series of fur

and leather looks with fringed accessories, and slim tailored leather pants with a slight flare. This is worn with suede biker

jackets, a black feather skirt, sleek silk jumpsuits and dresses with a sporty zip. The California desert hippie vibe comes through in flowing gowns and separates, adding to the dreamlike feel of the

collection, apparently inspired by the idea of angels that have fallen onto a hangar roof in LA. The labels signature menswear

elements are present through striped suiting, velvet tuxedos, and shimmering ties and cuffs inspired by masculine business classics.

KENZO

Kenzo goes tribal in a collection packed with wild texture and colour. Carol Lim and Humberto Leon play with the idea of individuality as a community, modern tribalism, and the

concept of cult symbolism and spiritual signs. Plenty of pieces sport warm Inuit-style hoods, with outerwear including

orange wool melton trenches with blanket stitch details. There is also denim, faux fur jacquards, hand-painted and laser-cut shearling, as well as graphic knots used as an extra detail to draw the eye. The symbolism is apparent with monochrome

baggy tailoring and jumpsuits covered in hieroglyphics, which contrast with the flowing solid military green and prisoner orange colours of the silk pieces. For accessories, rain boots

and fur clogs are paired with studded bags.

TRENDS / 29

BOTTEGA VENETA

While colours tend to come alive in fashion for summer, for creative director Tomas Maier, it is during this season

that he most appreciates the vibrant shades. I like colours in the early fall, not so much in the spring.

Its in the early fall where you start to need them, he says. With a cheerful palette of orange, yellow, green and violet, he presents a collection of simple silhouettes that is highlighted through its play of colours. A day silk dress

comes alive through paint-splash patterns, while a spray-painted and acid-washed effect brightens up the

pieces. Motifs and patterns are loud, yet just appropriate enough for day-to-day wear. A classic repertoire of flats

and conservative pumps finishes the looks.

DIOR

Unveiling his collection in the ever-intriguing city of Tokyo, Raf Simons cites the movie Blade Runner as his inspiration.

The fashion-forward attitude of the Japanese has long made the country a sartorial playground for many designers, and Raf presents looks that are bold and futuristic enough to fit

the citys identity. An interplay of colours, patterns and textures, Raf layers leather-embroidered wool and fur

dresses over sequined turtlenecks with sweater dresses that are sculpted and manipulated. Knee-high platform boots come in bold colours, while Diors Bar silhouette gets a variety of reinterpretations. Futuristic geometric prints embolden Diors current range of IT bags, including the

Diorama, which finds a metallic shell this season.

Turkish designer, Tuvana Bykinar Demir, imparted a moment of style into the 550-year history

of Istanbuls legendary Grand Bazaar. For the first time ever, the Grand Bazaar opened its historic

doors for a fashion show with Tuvana presenting her inaugural couture collection, aptly titled Golden Bazaar, as part of her label Tuvanam. The collection

tells the story of a city that is home to the oldest bazaar in the world, where seasons are defined by the wind that blows from the northeast or the southeast, and

where women who love sunrises and sunsets roam. I wanted it to be romantic, decisive, adventurous and

fearless, the designer says. Tuvana took us to a time that smells of sandalwood, with her unmatched haute couture dream made of gold dusted French lace and

rich embroidery, which becomes more mysterious and sophisticated with transparent pieces. The pieces

brought out the best of Tuvanams signature aesthetics of rich embellishments in copper, pearl, stone, and aged gold. The fashion show was accompanied by a

narrative by Hacer Yeni, who penned a story inspired by the Grand Bazaar, and Atelier Rebul, who designed

a perfume exclusively for the fashion show.

GOLDEN BAZAAR

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TRENDS / 31

FOR DAD

Misbaha with diamonds and black onyx detailing, Mouawad, Lagoona Mall.

FOR SIS

Kaftan, Emilio Pucci,Net-A-Porter.

FOR MUM

Fish brooch with diamonds, emerald and sapphire, The Art Jewel, Cindy Chao.

FOR BEST FRIEND

Allegra bracelet, De Grisogono,Alfardan Jewellery.

FOR AUNT

Swan earrings, Messika Joaillerie,Ali bin Ali Jewellery.

FOR BEST FRIEND

Lego Clutch, Chanel,The Luxury Closet.

FOR BRO

Gold pen, Mouawad,Lagoona Mall.

FOR SIS

Lace motif overlay dress,BCBG, Lagoona Mall.

FOR YOUNG ONES

Domo Arigato backpack,Marc by Marc Jacobs, Lagoona Mall.

WHATGIVES?SPREAD THE CHEER OF THE SEASON WITH GIFT IDEAS THAT WILL MAKE THIS EID

LUXURIOUSLY CHIC.

32

THE RIGHT FOUNDATION GARMENTS FOR TRAVELLING ARE CRITICAL. NOT ONLY DO THEY KEEP YOU

COOL AND COMFORTABLE, THEY COMPLEMENT YOUR CAREFULLY SELECTED HOLIDAY OUTFITS.

CHANTELLES TOP TRAVEL PICKS WILL HELP YOU PACK THE PERFECT UNDERWEAR, SEEING YOU THROUGH

THE HOLIDAYS- FROM AIRPORT TO AEROBICS.

TRAVEL LINGERIE

TRENDS / 33

Top PicksIllusion is a daily fashion line, made from very visual graphic lace, inspired by Manhattans architecture. The Spacer Bra, made of breathable material, is very comfortable- perfect for the plane and great fun in vibrant Curacao.

Irresistible is a soft second skin with designs that are elegant and feminine, yet invisible. The strapless bra in mellow Dune is a great option for daytime and

will work with strapless dresses of any shade. You cant go wrong with this one!

Chantelles Sports Bra is designed for exercising in style, as well as comfort, thanks to an attractive silhouette, wide-padded straps, soft wire seams and breathable fabrics. Hit the gym in Flamme red. Who said you cant be stylish and work out at the same time?

Vous & Moi is an ultra-feminine line with smooth fabrics and finishes, inspired by

the traditional Chantelle girdles. The memory foam adapts to your shape to ensure the perfect fit. Great for an afternoon tea or sightseeing, it gives that holiday feeling in Flamingo!

Merci combines everyday lace with fashion- a geometric look that features foliage over stripes. The soft, flat lace makes it incredibly comfortable to wear, as well as looking great. Try the push-up bra in vibrant Citrus for the perfect dinner date outfit!

WanderStyle

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Switch off and relax with a journey away from the city. Immerse yourself in local culture, rediscover Mother Nature or kick back for some festive fun with our guide on where to go and what to pack.

Etro for Net-A-Porter

FOCUS / 35

With its own vibrant house reef close to the shore, and a number of wonderful dive sites near the island, Baros is a great diving and snorkelling location for travellers looking to get close to nature. Combined with the resorts Maldivian hospitality, you will experience immersing yourself in island life and ocean exploration. Go on a snorkelling safari

tour with qualified marine biologists to learn about the unique ecosystem of the Indian Ocean, try your hand at traditional line fishing, take advantage of the beautiful sunsets and indulge in some relaxing yoga. The resort also offers private spa treatments and sailing yacht journeys experiences that are complemented by the tropical islands charm.

BAROS MALDIVES

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Blossom kaftan, OTT,Per Lei Couture.

Natures Divide crop top, Clover Canyon, WEST L.A.

Printed kaftan,Etro, Net-A-Porter.

International carry-on, Tumi, The Gate Mall.

Gancino Chic watch, Salvatore Ferragamo, The Gate Mall.

Solar Gel nail varnish, Kinetics.

Malhia bandeau swimsuit,Chantelle.

Crystal token earrings,Lele Sadoughi, Per Lei Couture.

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Summer is festival season in Malta, with some of the most exciting European cultural events taking place on the island, including the first edition of the Valletta Film Festival in June and the world-famous Malta Jazz Festival which will take place from 16 to 19 July. The Corinthia is located next to the Presidential Palace making it a great starting point to explore the island that is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites- the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples and the

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. The historical sites are surrounded by the islands golden and red sands, blue lagoons, rocks, and inland seas. The Maltese waters are amongst the clearest in the world, housing a variety of reefs, creeks, and natural harbours. The resort is also home to Villa Corinthia and The Rickshaw Restaurant, which are two of the islands favourite restaurants, as well as the Athenaeum Spa, a centre designed for the harmonisation of mind and body.

CORINTHIA PALACE HOTEL & SPA MALTA

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Cotton shirt dress,Delpozo, Net-A-Porter.

Gladiator sandal, Stuart Weitzman, The Gate Mall.

Bronzer, Paese.

Duomtre watch, Jaeger-Lecoultre,Al Majed Jewellery.

Carolina Herrera summer capsule collection.

Bryant backpack,Tumi, The Gate Mall.

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Go for an unconventional summer experience by hopping on board Alila Purnama, a liveaboard Phinisi ship. Handcrafted in the traditional style of a Phinisi, as used by the Bugis seafarers from south Sulawesi in Indonesia, the ship has five en-suite rooms accommodating up to ten people. Alila Purnama also has its own fully licensed PADI dive centre, spa therapist and plenty of space for

wining, dining and relaxing, while enjoying the sea breeze. Alila has tailored expeditions to visit Komodo Island and Raja Ampat which takes up to a week of sailing or you can design your own route depending on availability. The ship also offers limited couple packages on selected dates which allow you to experience a journey without having to book the whole vessel.

ALILA PURNAMA

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Colour Dream watch,Franck Muller, Villaggio Mall.

Frances woven straw hat,Eugenia Kim, The Outnet.

Saddle dot-printed barrel bag, Coach.

Bamboo Powder, Paese.

Navy dress, Totme, Net-A-Porter.

Striped bikini,Heidi Klein, The Outnet.

Samara pareo, LemLem, The Outnet.

Karlito scarf, Fendi, Villaggio Mall.

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The 2015 Sporting Summer Monte-Carlo Festival will be opened by pop music icons Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on 4 July. This special engagement is part of a series of presentations that celebrate their critically-acclaimed collaborative jazz album Cheek To Cheek. Renowned composer, singer, actor, author, and social activist, Sting, will take to the stage at the Monaco Red Cross Gala on 25 July 2015. All-time American legends Lenny Kravitz and Carlos Santana, as well as Lebanese superstar Haifa Wehbe,

are also among the headlining acts at the festival this year. A new act has been created for this years celebrations, Jake and Elwood of The Blues Brothers story. This beautiful show is a tribute to Afro-American music, reuniting dancers and singers celebrating Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and James Brown, who all starred in the original Blues Brothers movie. The Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort will be offering special packages for guests attending the festival in conjunction with the hotels tenth anniversary.

MONACO

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Colour-block bikini,Tatjana Anika.

Cape Cod Zebra Pegasus watch,Herms, Porto Arabia.

Leather slip on, Santoni,Porto Arabia.

Play H8 headphones,Bang & Olufsen, Lagoona Mall.

Silk tulle gown, Delpozo,Net-A-Porter.

Rialto bag, Bottega Veneta,Villaggio Mall.

Karlito shopping bag,Fendi, Villaggio Mall.

Gitana cascading chain sandal, Gianvito Rossi, Fifty One East.

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SHOPAHOLICS SOLUTION

IF YOU ARE HEADING TO EVERYBODYS FAVOURITE DESTINATION, LONDON, HIT UP THESE THREE RETAIL STORES TO FIND THE LATEST

IN EMERGING DESIGNERS AND OFF-KILTER DESIGNS.

DOVERSTREET MARKET

The Comme des Garons-owned multistorey, multibrand store is tucked away on Dover Street in Soho, just around the corner from The Ritz and The Royal Academy of Arts. Regular collections at the store include Brit stars Christopher Kane and J.W. Anderson, as well as international designers like Azzedine Alaa, while the location frequently plays host to pop-ups. The top of the store also features an outpost of the famed Parisian coffee and lunch spot Rose Bakery.www.doverstreetmarket.com17-18 Dover Street, W1S 4LT

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BROWNSJoan and Sidney Burstein bought their first shop in 1970, and the store has since expanded throughout five townhouses on South Molton street into one of the citys best fashion emporiums. The mens designers include some of the biggest luxury labels out there- such as Saint Laurent, Louboutin and Lanvin, alongside emerging talents like James Long. Women can shop brands like Valentino, Dries Van Noten and Balenciaga.www.brownsfashion.com24-27 South Molton Street, W1K 5RD

LN-CCLate Night Chameleon Caf mixes

music, books and lots of fashion in a design-led space (which had its reopening earlier this month

after being refurbished). The store is open 7 days a week, but

on an appointment-only basis, so youll have to book ahead. Once youre in, you can browse mens

collections from ACNE to Y-3 and womens brands including Damir

Doma, Lanvin, and Givenchy. Its also worth checking out the

high-fidelity audio products from family-owned, Brooklyn-built headphones company Grado.

www.ln-cc.com18 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EZ

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The multi-faceted Liya Kebede who wears the hats of model,

philanthropist, actress and fashion designer, is truly using her influence

to make an impact on the world.

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STYLE

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Since 2005, she has been the World Healths Organisations Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, which complements the Liya Kebede Foundation, whose

mission is to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality in Ethiopia and around the world. Liya Kebede is also the founder of Lemlem, a clothing line to promote and preserve the art of traditional weaving in Ethiopia.

As the new face of The Outnets high summer campaign that features a wardrobe of 17 limited-edition styles, including pieces from Lemlem, Liya speaks about her philanthropic work and her idea of a perfect getaway.

You travel a lot. Where are your favorite destinations? Liya: I love, love, love Turkey. I think Istanbul is incredibly magical. The south of France, Positano, all those places I love it! I also just did Bali, which was incredible. I went there after seeingthis is totally cheesy but Im going to say itafter seeing Eat Pray Love! I was like, I need to go to Bali. I need to experience that! It wasnt the exact same, but it is really, really beautiful and picturesque.

what are the pieces that you always wear? Liya: A lot of t-shirts, a lot of white, and then my essentials, like summer pants. Im quite casual. Flats, shorts I take a lot of Lemlem stuff.

You live in New York. Where do you go to take a mini-vacation when you need some time out? Liya: Im testing it out a little bit. With the kids, weve gone to Connecticut a little bit, the Hamptons sometimes. I think with New York, its hard you almost need to get on a plane. I dont know the north [of the state] much, but people tend to like it.

We cover the whole world and especially African countries, where maternal mortality

is the highest during pregnancy.

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Do you have any style icons? Liya: I think I learned a lot on the job. Working with designers and stylists and watching closely how they put things together its amazing! Were so lucky to have free education on set. I really learnt everything on the job.

Do you have any favourite trends in fashion right now? Liya: I find jewellery is really getting interesting. Its getting its own moment. I feel like were really pushing it and its becoming intimate and personal, but then really bold at the same time. Its taking on its own life I had never noticed it before and now its become so modern and so cool - I like that. I used to be scared of jewellery because it was so big, and now, even if its big, its cooler, it feels like less of a show.

How does it feel now that Lemlem is in its eighth year? Liya: It feels crazy, I cant believe weve

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been doing it for that long! I feel like we definitely started something its a trend, which is really interesting. People are looking at Africa and thats really cool that was kind of the point. All these people who are doing arts and craftsy things are now looking at this and going, Ohhh, interesting. It has empowered and given ideas to a lot of small brands in Africa, and that was the whole point in a way, so its really nice.

Did you ever foresee how much of an impact it would have? Liya: I didnt realise what it could become! I kind of jumped into it and saw a need and then it was, OK, well theres a solution. It was for kids initially because I thought Id love my kids to wear something that was handmade in Ethiopia, but then we were designing things that we wanted to wear! And all the moms were saying the same thing too, so now it totally makes sense that its a womens line.

Whats the creative design process behind

each collection? Liya: We have a design team I dont really do the designing. We go to Ethiopia at different times, and then we sit around in our New York City offices and break everything down. Everybody goes at different times and sort of checks it out.

Where would you like to see the brand go in the future? Liya: I think its a lifestyle brand and wed like to see it in every category and really become a staple. We are definitely looking into growing it and adding more categories, and playing around with non-handmade things, too, which is kind of a new direction for us. Were exploring other cities in Africa to make things, which is really exciting, growing on that level.

Its exciting but pioneering a little bit, too, which is always fun.

How do you combine the Liya Kebede Foundation with Lemlem? Liya: Theyre completely separate. I dont really combine them but well do a lot of promotional things around Lemlem for the foundation or collaborate on Mothers Day for something. On the Lemlem website, theres a link, but thats the only way theyre connected for now.

Tell us about your work with the World Health Organisation and how that led to the foundation. Liya: They were looking for somebody to talk about maternal health, and they had read somewhere that I wanted to involve

It has empowered and given ideas to a lot of small brands in Africa, and that was the

whole point in a way, so its really nice.

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myself in something. They saw that I was from Ethiopia, which made total sense, and I had my kids already in New York and everything. I thought it would be a perfect match, so I worked with them for a few years. But it was mostly awareness-raising, and what kept happening was that when I was doing interviews, people would ask, How can I get involved? and I didnt have a solution for them, because the WHO doesnt work with individuals. I spoke with them and thats when the foundation started.

How can people get involved? Liya: On one side, its mostly donations and fundraising, and the other side is about helping us raise awareness. We did a social media campaign with Doutzen [Kroes] and Coco Rocha when they were pregnant, so we could think about other mothers who might not have the same possibilities and advantages and opportunities. It was amazing how the messaging got out there.

Youve also helped open maternal health clinics. Is it an ultimate goal of the foundation to open more? Liya: Its not ultimate, but it is part of the projects that we want to support; it just makes sense. On a small scale you see the impact it has on the community. A lot of women have delivered there safely, so its quite rewarding. Its tiny, but its still that x number of women and those babies that are born and are okay. And that means

something.

What do you consider the main work of the foundation? Liya: The foundation has an awareness arm and a project arm. On the awareness side, we make sure that we cover the whole world and especially African countries, where maternal mortality is the highest during pregnancy and childbirth. We want to make a lot of noise and do a lot of campaigns and social media around it. Its almost like marketing the cause to put it in front of peoples noses, so that theyre aware, and local governments are aware, that make it a priority.

Is the cause as dear to you, now that your children are growing up? Liya: I think its as important. The idea that every time youre pregnant, you have

heads wrapped around it. My daughter loves fashion, but I want them to see what happens more with the creative process. Its not easy, though, because they just want to be on their electronics! Theyre like, When is this done? Lets go home!. They do their own bake sales for Unicef and its nice that theyre aware of that side of the world. I think that as they grow, it will be more in their mind.

What have been your pinch me moments? Liya: Finding out that Ive been doing the philanthropy work on maternal health for 10 years was kind of odd. Were writing a Huffington Post op-ed piece, and I was working with my executive director and she was like, Were going to celebrate your 10th year, and Im like, Wait, what?! Its kind of amazing and strange, you know?

to think about whether you live or die is an awful, awful scenario to be in for anybody, so if we can minimise that as much as possible, I think it would be nice. I dont know if it will ever be done its not a job where you can say, Okay, done so its really hard and its not an easy battle. I think the best we can do is make the most noise possible and make sure that people are really aware, because its not an issue that they really think about. If we can achieve that, then I think we will be in a good place.

Do your kids get involved at all in the foundation or in Lemlem? Liya: I want to involve them more actually. I dont think they have their

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ABOLD

PROLOGUEA MLANGE OF UNCONVENTIONAL SILHOUETTES,

CANDY COLOURS IN BLOCKS, AND SHARP TAILORING, FORMS THE PROLOGUE FOR THE LAUNCH OF

THE QATARI LABEL, HZ BY HISSA ZAINAL.

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

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Incubation Centers second intake of entrepreneurs. The time felt right and we decided to put together our efforts and experience, to bring the brand to life.

What is the story behind this launch collection? Prologue is a dramatically playful yet elegant ensemble, combining pastels with bold colours. True to HZs style, Prologue showcases timeless silhouettes inspired by geometric shapes and finished with quality craftsmanship.

Whats the design process like? We work with the best manufacturing units and suppliers in the region to ensure consistent high quality. We truly believe that high quality craftsmanship and material are key aspects for setting ourselves apart. The clothes were made in a regional boutique manufacturing unit. We opted to work with a manufacturing unit as opposed to local tailors, in order to provide our clients with garments that are finished using international

manufacturing standards. Combining that with carefully selected fabrics, we are proud to say that our garments are beautiful inside and out. We carefully choose our production partners to stay true to our own personal high quality standards.

Who is the woman you are designing for? The HZ woman stands out in a crowd. She is a trendsetter in her own right. She is graceful yet playful and she is true to her own style. HZs main goal is to provide women from this region with garments that are high in quality, but still cater to the regional needs of seasons, silhouettes and sizes. The brand follows local seasons such as Eids and national holidays, which ensures that our local and regional customers have their garments when they need them. Our online store ensures that our garments are available to international clients through international shipping.

Who or what influences your design work? Our creations are heavily inspired by architecture and geometric shapes. We look at international colour forecasting to make sure we stay current with our direction. We dont really care for trends, as we always strive to stay true to our philosophy of timeless silhouettes. For us, its all about flattering garments that bring out a womans natural beauty.

What do you think are the elements of the Middle Eastern woman that excite you? Middle Eastern ladies use clothing as a vehicle to express their unique personalities and individualism. There is an increase amongst Middle Eastern women in their desire to experiment with clothing and support young talent.

Arrivingmid-season, just in time for high summer and the festive Eid period, the collection nails the au courant fashion obsession with sculptural and architectural constructions in garment making. Aptly dubbing Roksanda and Delpozo as references, the trio of sisters behind HZ brings technical training in both fashion and graphic design to form a visionary eye for detail in their work.

The youngest of the sisters, Hissa, plays the creative director role for the label, having graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Fashion Design and Merchandising in 2011, while Ruda and Hend focus on the operational aspects of the fledgling brand. It is meant to be elegant, bold and daring, but is also mindful of the timeless sophistication of simplicity. We are international in look and feel, and still cater to the regional needs of seasons, silhouettes and sizes, Hend says. The sisters carry the torch in developing contemporary womenswear in the region, by focusing on offering a unique sense of style that is timeless and of high quality craftsmanship.

How did the label begin? Ever since graduating from VCU in 2011, Hissa wanted to create her own fashion label, but felt the need to gain experience before embarking on this journey. Her work at Qatar Museums as a merchandise designer provided her with invaluable experience in production and developing supplier relationships. She also realised that there was a great demand for the HZ style in the market, which was later confirmed by our customer validation research. The opportunity came when Hissa was invited to join Qatar Business

We dont really care for trends, as we always strive to stay true to

our philosophy of timeless silhouettes.

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The gorgeous and bubbly Mariya Dykalo was drawn to the English aesthetic and refined elegance of the luxury lifestyle brand Aspinal of London, when she began an internship some ten years ago. It was most definitely love at first sight as she never left, and in 2013, was appointed creative director for the brand a testament to her vision and passionate input to the process. Headquartered in West Sussex, Aspinals products are still lovingly handmade by leather craftsmen, yet offered at affordable prices. The brand is synonymous with beautiful leather accessories, stationery, and gifts, but it is Mariyas development of the handbag collections that has put the brand on the fashion radar. Over the last few years, we have really developed our handbag range. Womens and mens bags are now the brands fastest growing category,

she says. With names like Olivia Palermo and

Yasmin Sewell onboard, it is no wonder that Aspinal has caught the eye of the fashion set. Yasmins initial project of creating a bespoke Aspinal bag turned into a further collaboration of a mini-collection that will be out in stores in September. It was so exciting to see the bold approach Yasmin took with our product, the confidence to break up the panels and think about the three- dimensional form of a handbag with the same brave aesthetic she applies to the tre Ccile ready-to-wear, Mariya says, referring to Yasmins fashion label. The Oliva Palermo bag was designed with a conscious cause in mind the limited edition bag raised nearly QR170,000 for ADCAM (Asociacin de Desarrollo, Comercio Alternativo y Microcrdito) towards building a new school in Africa.

MODERNISING

HERITAGETHE VIBRANCY OF A QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH LIFESTYLE BRAND IS ELEVATED THROUGH ITS NEW

STRATEGIES AND COLLABORATIONS.

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

SPECIAL / 59

Travel is indeed a big part of the DNA of Aspinal of London. Mariya curates a travel collection from the brands beloved pieces.

I am looking forward to going to the Portofino Boat Show with my husband this summer. Its all about comfortable clothes with relaxed glamour - flat shoes for the day and a relaxed style handbag like the Aspinal duffle bag in navy or aqua. Either looks great with white dresses and Panama hats. For the evening, I always have a couple of pairs of stilettos and Aspinal clutch bags to up the glamour. Currently, we love holidaying with the family in Porto Montenegro, where we keep our boat in the harbour just outside fabulous Regent Hotel. The view is great, the weather is perfect and the people are very welcoming. Its our latest discovery and I usually take my Marylebone Light in monochrome, which I designed for a more relaxed and practical look. Its great just to throw it on your shoulder while you stroll through the airport and its perfect as a beach bag. It also sometimes becomes a baby bag! So versatile and perfect for family holiday or shopping, and still looks super chic. Every August I visit my family and friends in the Ukraine. I love my city Lviv, its like a mini Paris - beautiful ancient architecture full of history and memories from my childhood and student life. I usually throw my Aspinal Rucksack on my back and mini Sophia bag on the front, where I keep my passport and tickets. Sometimes on the plane it can get chilly, so I keep an Aspinal signature scarf in my bag to wrap around my neck if I feel the chill. My luggage is usually full of gifts for all my friends.

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TRAVEL COLLECTION

A best-seller for Aspinal, the Travel Collection is a must for any organised traveller. I keep all my documents and

currency together, often multiple currencies if Im travelling around a lot

for work. I also have my passport wrapped in our navy nappa

raindrop-printed passport cover from the most recent SS15 collection. Its just a gorgeous print and the texture is really soft. I actively enjoy pulling it out of my bag at the airport and people always ask me about it. The final must-have item is a gorgeous pair of Aspinal personalised

luggage tags. If you have ever been unlucky enough to lose your luggage

while travelling, sometimes the tags are the only things that save you!

MARYLEBONE MIDI TOTE

I always travel with my Midi Marylebone tote which has

an integrated juice pack/charging station. Its like my

portable office!

MARYLEBONE IPAD COVER

I love my new Marylebone iPad Air cover as it comes with a notebook but also a cross body strap. As a working mum, anything being hands-free is a plus. Although I love my techie products, sometimes having a notepad and a traditional to-do list is much easier! It also means I can sketch on the go or as inspiration hits. But then I love having my iPad right next to the notepad so I can stay up to date with all things social media.

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THOSE FAMILIAR WITH RUSSIAN WILL RECOGNISE THE WORD KAMUSHKI, MEANING PRECIOUS

STONES. BUT IT MAKES FOR SOME PONDERING ON WHY TWO LIBYAN SISTERS CHOSE THE PHRASE AS THE NAME FOR THEIR FINE JEWELLERY LINE,

INSTEAD OF AN ARABIC ONE.

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

THETRAVELLING

SISTERS

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We dont want to tell people how to wear our pieces, but instead encourage freedom of expression through our

jewellery.

Theduo, Mariam and Dania Sawedeg, can hardly be defined by geographical boundaries, having grown up in Switzerland and embraced the art of travel at an early age. As a culmination of their experiences in continents apart, it was only natural that they picked a name that touched their hearts the most, regardless of its origins.

Just like their travels, Kamushki the label has begun to attract the attention of fans the world over. The quirky fishbone designs were spotted on American TV star Whitney Port and blogger Leandra Medine, and the likes of Rosemin Manji and Ascia AKF on our home front. The fun-sized and cute jewellery collection of 18-carat gold, detailed with precious gems, make for easy-to-wear options that appeal to women of any style, and is most definitely a convenient accessory for the travelling wardrobe. It was our mothers interest that sparked our desire to start a jewellery line. She always had a great love for beautiful jewellery which she collected from her travels around the world, says Mariam. We love looking through old photographs of her as she has great style.

The ethos of a fun, confident, chic, courageous and contemporary woman who is a risk taker, guides the philosophy of Kamushki, which is perhaps a reflection of the girls and their mothers adventurous spirits. With sound education

in different fields, (Dania in politics and communication and Mariam with an MBA in marketing, as well as jewellery design), the sisters finally put an idea to work of what they have always wanted to do. We are both obsessed with fine jewellery and we really wanted to represent our beautiful home country, Libya, in a good light, Mariam says.

The core of the labels design lies in paying homage to the sisters Libyan roots, while injecting influences of their experiences abroad. We are inspired not only by our own culture and heritage, but also other cultures around the world, says Dania. The signature fishbone motif from the Wishbone Collection is derived from a Libyan tradition which represents goodness, and is often interwoven into jewels to protect the wearer from the evil eye and bad energy. Weve given the tradition a modern update by incorporating it into 18-carat gold pendants, hand cuffs, ear cuffs and rings. The style is to inject fun and playfulness, Dania says. The Wishbone Collection is contemporary with accessory styles that are au courant, including knuckle rings.

With a Russian appellation, Arabian origins, and European influences, it only made sense that the sisters had to complete the world circle by getting the pieces made in Asia- Singapore to be specific.

After collecting photographs, notes and mementos from their travels, the brainstorming process begins where the sketching brings jewellery ideas to life.

Once this stage is done, we go through all the drawings to start editing and refining the ideas, eventually turning them into jewellery pieces that fit with the essence of Kamushki, says Mariam. Architecture, sports and wellness will feature strongly in the coming collections.

Kamushki has recently debuted at Dubais cult multi-brand retailer, S*uce, and the sisters are excited to present their works to the Middle Eastern woman. We represent a culture that not many know about. Its exciting to see how the world will respond, Mariam quips. In a region where accessories are a necessity in every womans wardrobe, Kamushki is certain to find its niche. We dont want to tell people how to wear our pieces, but instead encourage freedom of expression through our jewellery.

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TECHNICOLOUR

DreamingSAUDI DESIGNER NORA AL SHAIKH TAKES US ON A SPECIAL

PREVIEW OF HER NEW COLLECTION, BORA BORA, WHICH WILL BE LAUNCHED IN AUGUST WITH VINTAGE FASHION PURVEYOR,

CAMERON SILVER IN LOS ANGELES.The trans-seasonal collection is an extension of her namesake label that is fuelled by her love of

travel. Whether in London, New York or L.A., the designer is frequently inspired by architecture, art installations and people she encounters on the street. My approach to design is very personal and as a woman designing for women, I always have a confident, modern, cosmopolitan woman in mind when

creating a collection. I am proposing different looks that appeal to a diverse range of women with different lifestyles. As a Saudi designer, one of the most interesting aspects of my work is being able to

interact with women from different cultural backgrounds and to see how they wear my clothes.

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Travel has always fueled me creatively, and I took inspiration from my recent honeymoon on the island of Bora Bora. I began sketching the moment I arrived and a collection gradually emerged.

I was struck by the French Polynesian islands technicolour

landscape, with its saturated shades of emeralds, jades and

sapphires, as well as the earthier tones and textures of the sun-

bleached local architecture and white sandy beaches.

It felt like the right time to create clothes that bridge seasons, instead of being confined by them.

I also collected tiny seashells that fanned out into extraordinary shapes. Back at my studio, I explored construction and draping through a palette of soft, textured and plain organza, that flowed in delicate hues of peppermint, ivory, biscuit and periwinkle blue.

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The result is a trans-seasonal collection of comfortable, easy shapes, such as slouchy tops, airy dresses and palazzo pants for day, while for evening I combined origami pleats with soft draping.

I was in the mood for a softer, more relaxed attitude to

dressing, one which reflects Bora Boras laid-back attitude.