EDITOR SINDHU NAIR

CHIEF FASHION CORRESPONDENT DEBRINA ALIYAH

SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS ABIGAIL MATHIAS
EZDHAR IBRAHIM ALI
AYSWARYA MURTHY
PHOTOGRAPHER ROB ALTAMIRANO
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR VENKAT REDDY
DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR HANAN ABU SIAM
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR AYUSH INDRAJITH
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER MAHESHWAR REDDY B
SENIOR MANAGER MARKETING FREDRICK ALPHONSO
MANAGER MARKETING SAKALA A. DEBRASS
ASSISTANT MANAGER MARKETING THOMAS JOSE
SENIOR MEDIA CONSULTANTS HASAN REKKAB
LYDIA YOUSSEF
MARKETING RESEARCH & SUPPORT EXECUTIVE KANWAL BALUCH
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT PRATAP CHANDRAN
SENIOR DISTRIBUTION EXECUTIVE BIKRAM SHRESTHA
DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT ARJUN TIMILSINA
BHIMAL RAI
BASANTHA. P
PUBLISHER AND EDITORINCHIEF YOUSUF JASSEM AL DARWISH
CHIEF EXECUTIVE SANDEEP SEHGAL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ALPANA ROY
VICE PRESIDENT RAVI RAMAN
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COMING UP
EVENTS OF THE MONTH
Miami Fashion Week - Swim
17th 21st July 2014
The Raleigh Hotel, Miami
Its right in the middle of the summer heat and
what better time for the Swimwear edition of
fashion week featuring cult favourites
including Clover Canyon and Wild Fox. Title
sponsor Mercedes Benz is also running a
special Instagram competition this season with
the hashtag #MBFWSwimstagram to find the
next big swimwear model. Check out the full
shows at mbfashionweek.com/Miami
Our bumper September issue comes rolling
with runway reports of the most influential
collections of Autumn Winter 2014 the
biggest trends, the hottest buys, and how to
wear them! Also, an exclusive look into the
glorious house of Fendi, the fashion
vanguards of fur. Image: MarquesAlmeida
AW14 (Daniel Sims, British Fashion Council).
G Talk
ur annual summer double issue in past years has often focused on the art of
travelling, dedicated to the exodus of the majority expatriate population who take
the opportunity to return home or to embark on worldly adventures. But as the
stars align (or should we say the moon) this year, the Holy month of Ramadan and
the much-looked forward to celebrations of Eid have kept many footed making
these two months in Doha unprecedentedly more lively and vibrant than before.
These festivities, as we all know now, call for a wardrobe change into the charming
world of kaftans and jalabiyas, for which, befittingly, we have curated this issue.
This shift has not gone unnoticed by the international fashion industry, what with
the growing influence of our market. DKNY launched their first ever regionalised
capsule collection especially for Ramadan and have cleverly harnessed the power
of social media with a campaign aptly called #DKNYRamadan. A hashtag is the
easiest way to get the story out, and with two regional fashion bloggers, Yalda
Golsharifi and Tamara Al-Gabbani as the face of the campaign, it is no wonder the
brand has gained rocket traction this month. Check out the appropriately modest
pieces worn by the bloggers in a special editorial shot by none other than Dubais
favourite Saeed Al-Khalifa in our special feature.
But of course, regional labels like Amal Azhari and Isabella Ferrera come into the
limelight for their colourful kaftans, while newcomer to Qatar, Rita Pateroni, offers
dreamy feminine pieces for the balmy evenings of Eid. And in preparation for the
new fall season in September, we posed the million-dollar question to two style
experts, How do you find your own sense of Style? Access, update or reinvent
the wheel completely as we move into the next fashion season. The rebirth comes
not only on the outside but also of growth from within, as our cover girl Amanda
Seyfried tells us about her road to independence and becoming a stronger woman.
From all of us at GLAM HQ, Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak!
EDITORS PICK
THE MUST-HAVE CLUTCH THIS
YEAR IS THE COLLABORATIVE
BRAINCHILD OF UAES
ACCESSORIES BRAND LAFSHAR
AND READY-TO-WEAR LABEL
MADIYAH AL SHARQI. THE TWO
EMERGING CREATIVES FROM THIS
REGION MARRIED THEIR
SIGNATURE AESTHETICS;
MADIYAHS MUTED PINK AND
CREAM SHADES AND LAFSHARS
SIGNATURE LOGO OF A CROSS
BETWEEN A SCARAB AND
DRAGON FLY RESULTING IN A
DUAL-COLOUR BOX CLUTCH
THAT CAN BE WORN ON BOTH
SIDES. AVAILABLE ON
WWW.LAFSHAR.COM FOR QR2,025.
32 \
SAVE
VS
SPLURGE
SAVE
1 Die-Cut backpack, QR195.
2 Floral Print Top, QR115.
3 Kimono with pockets, QR125
4 Polo Tee, QR125
5 Leather-look shorts, QR175
All items available from
Stradivarius, Villaggio Mall and
Landmark Mall.
SPLURGE
1 Maia leather shorts, QR3,366, Acne
Studios, Net A Porter.
2 Aliosha Backpack Carreaux Calf
Multicolor, QR10,372, Christian
Louboutin, Villaggio Mall.
3 Mesh T-Shirt, QR2,081, Neil Barett,
Net A Porter.
4 Carolina Kimono, QR1408, Rabens
Saloner, Question-Air.com
5 Printed Cotton Blend Tee, QR563,
Chloe boutique, Porto Arabia.
1
2
1
4
The bells have rung and school is definitely out.
Summer calls for a chance to get moving outdoors
whether in the mangroves of Qatar or the rustic streets
of South East Asia. There has never been a more
fun time to be carrying a backpack without looking
nerdy, with its revival on the catwalk in all colours and
embellishments. Get tough in a pair of leather shorts
with this seasons sports-inspired tees that will keep you
chic and comfortable even if you are hiking the hills. A
dash of print and a kimono-cut outer piece will add a
touch of femininity to the hip look.
TOO
COOL
FOR SCHOOL
3
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5
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3
5
MONI & J
It has been a busy summer for Manar Laktineh and things have really
just begun. The Kuwaiti designer behind the cult handbag brand Moni &
J was nominated as a finalist in the prestigious 8th Annual Independent
Handbag Designer Awards in New York. The labels signature piece, the
Marshal Bag, competed in the Best Handbag in Overall Style and Design
category. The bag was designed to elevate your daily outfit to the next
level. We added metal epaulet parts to turn it from classic to edgy, she
explains. The bag grew so popular that it has been spotted on many of the
regions fashion set. And while in the Big Apple, Moni & J won the love
of the press and buyers with its cheeky yet functional offerings that get
updated every season in new materials and colours. We are constantly
inspired by the beautiful things we see daily and of course designers with
their own distinct touches like Alexander McQueen, Manar says. Moni &
J is now available at Per Lei Couture boutique, Porto Arabia.
AN EDIT OF THINGS THAT ARE HOT NOW
MESSIKA PARIS
Honouring her familys legacy, Valerie Messika set about establishing
her own touch in the world of fine jewellery about a decade ago.
Her venture, Messika Paris, has since grown to be a purveyor of
contemporary fine jewellery with a special focus on diamonds, an ode to
the designers father, Andre Messika, who is one of the most respected
diamond dealers in the world. Valerie sets the essence of her brand
of bringing a modern finish to highlight the innate beauty of quality
stones, like the innovative shapes of the Skinny Collection. Using unique
arrangement of nano-springs, the diamond strands become flexible,
allowing the pieces to adapt to the wearers individual comfort. The
classic collar and chokers from this collection make for a refreshing
take because of their ability to adapt to the wearers neck. This season,
Messika Paris also released the Faith collection to celebrate the holy
month of Ramadan get yours from Ali bin Ali jewellery showrooms.
1Front cover of the The Legendary
Images book. 2Inez Van Lamsweerde
and Vinoodh Matadin, 2012; Dress from
the Fall 2012 Prt--Porter collection in
the Hall of Mirrors at the Chteau de
Versailles; Inez van Lamsweerde and
Vinoodh Matadin. 3Norman Parkinson,
1950; Mozart dress, SpringSummer
1950 Haute Couture collection,
Verticale line; Copyright Norman
Parkinson Ltd/Courtesy Norman
Parkinson Archive. 4Paolo Roversi,
2013; Silhouettes from the Autumn
Winter 2013 Haute Couture collection;
Paolo Roversi/Art+Commerce.
5Patrick Demarchelier, 2007; Jacket
from the Ko-Ko-San silhouette,
SpringSummer 2007 Haute Couture
collection; Patrick Demarchelier.
DIOR: THE LEGENDARY IMAGES,
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHERS
AND DIOR
After past exhibitions that examined the
relationships of Dior with art, celebrities,
and cinema, the 2014 installment
looks at the role of photographers in
creating the vision of the house that
contributes to its global success. The
exhibition focuses on the photographers
eye, the resulting portraits of Diors
style and the construction of the Dior
image in a selection of two hundred
photographs accompanied by sixty
haute couture dresses. There are also
archival documents that illustrate the
collaboration between the house and its
artistic directors as well as more than
eighty stellar photographers from the mid
20th to the early 21st centuries. In the
early post-war years, Richard Avedon,
Horst P. Horst and Clifford Coffin were
among the first to establish the visual
style of Dior, a style laterdeveloped by
the likes of Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton
and more recently Patrick Demarchelier
and Bruce Weber. The exhibition runs
until 21 September at the Christian Dior
Museum in Normandy. A book of the
same name to immortalise the exhibition
is also now available.
2
3
4
5
1
34 \ TRENDS
TRENDS / 35
JUDITH HOBBY CLOTHINGS BRAND NEW FUSION
Dubais favourite comfort casual label Judith Hobby Clothing has upped the ante with
a new collection of accessories that are entirely environmentally friendly. The line,
called Fusion, features pieces that are made from natural and biodegradable material
including bone, horn, wood, shell and brass. This unique selection of materials results
in an interesting line of accessories that has a funky tribal vibe reminiscent of ancient
times where these materials were first used across many cultures as symbols of power
and good fortune. As the materials all naturally sourced, each piece is unique with little
natural imperfections that make it all so covetable as a one-of-a-kind piece. The line
starts from QR350 and is available from www.judithhobbyclothing.com
VALENTINO GARAVANI ROUGE
ABSOLUTE SIGNATURE
This highly customisable collection has
been all the rage this spring and the
fiery red theme continues into summer.
The capsule collection of accessories
featuring the Valentino Red interlaced
with scarlet and ruby red comprises of
bags, shoes, small leather goods and
eyewear, all featuring three removable and
customisable studs. Valentino has gone a
step further by offering twenty-six English
letters and eight unique symbols that can
be purchased separately to be used to
truly make the accessories your own. The
collection is an extension of Valentinos
dedication to craftsmanship all leather
goods are hand-finished. Valentino
boutique is at Villaggio Mall.
FASHION / 39
Fashions bad boy Philipp Plein has not only arrived
in Qatar, but he has done in style by launching his
new boutique at the most prominent storefront view
of the promenade of Porto Arabia, The Pearl Qatar.
The designers eponymous label is well-known for its
panache towards rock and roll aesthetics, anchored
by its signature embellished skull design. Edgy and
wildly modern collections aside, the label strives for
something beyond just the clothes; We are all about
selling a lifestyle. Theres only so much innovation
that can happen but it is the values of the Philipp
Plein persona that are important, the designer
explains. And the essence is much embraced in the
brands famous fashion week productions, which in
the past have included performances by Rita Ora,
Grace Jones and Iggy Azalea. The performers
themselves are women who have succeeded by
being unique, and Philipp likes to cast women of all
shapes and sizes as his runway models. The
vivacious spirit of his collections has been
well-received in Dubai despite the notions of a more
conservative market and Philipp is confident that his
new Qatar boutique will be successful. I have a lot
of Middle Eastern clients who come to our stores
around the world when they travel. I think we live in
such a global world now where styles and cultures
are interconnected and it is no longer appropriate to
just categorise people according to where they live,
Philipp says. The boutique, represented by Ali bin Ali
Group, is located at La Croisette 6, Porto Arabia and
debuts with the AW2014 collection. DEBRINA ALIYAH
IN
PLEIN
LANGUAGE
40 \ EID CHIC
ALL THE STYLE NOTES YOU
NEED FOR A FASHIONABLY
CHIC FESTIVE SEASON.
THE
FACTOR
Make your Fendi 2Jours and 3Jours
bag truly yours with the Fendi Style
Me personalisation that is now
available in Arabic especially for
Ramadan and Eid. Drop by the
boutique at Villaggio Mall and you
can have your initials in Arabic
done on the spot on any of the
multi-coloured tags of your choice.
For an extra touch of glamour, get
your hands on one of the miniature
mink pompoms to jazz up your bag.
Arushi Coutures
Ramadan collection
of kaftans hit the
sweet notes with
shades of greens in
silk chiffon while the
Jalabiyas collection
goes luxurious with
silk cashmere and
Moroccan
hand-dyed crepe.
The crme de la
crme piece from
the collection is a
unique kaftan made
of cream French
lace, perfect for Eid
celebration itself.
Escape to faraway lands
with destination-inspired
scarves and cover-ups from
Athena Procopiou. The
London-based label
specialises in soft-to-touch
quality cashmere, cotton,
silk and modal fabrics that
are Italian-made. Shop the
Muscat Nightfall kaftan and
The Pilgrimage scarf on
shop.athenaprocopiou.com
The Satin Gold Alligator Bracelet from
Kenneth Jay Lane and the Petunia
Pequeno Earrings from Italian label
Dopodomani are all the statement pieces
you need to finish your festive look. The
bracelet is plated in 22karat gold while
the earrings feature Swarovski crystals in
a vintage charm. Get them from the online
accessories portal, www.esswara.com
Bint Thani releases The 7+
Styles Turban collection
which plays with the
combinations of design, fabric
and colour. The same turban
can be created in seven
different variants; matt versus
shiny satin, and palette of
colours including lime yellow
and pale turquoise for a highly
personalised head piece.
Photos by Saeed Khalifa.
Feminine and flowing
silhouettes from the
Alice & Olivia summer
pieces make for a great
modern take on the
kaftan and the jalabiya.
A major plus point is
the pop of colours that
will peek out from
under your abaya when
you are walking down
the street!
EID CHIC / 41
Go all black to contrast your
colourful festive dresses with
Crucianis Black Block bags.
A dark repertoire done in
saffiano leather with enamel
detailing, the bags come in
variants including Standard
Queen, Royal to the Marilyn
bag, and the Princess.
Brighten up the abaya during
Ramadan with dashes of polka
dots a sure-fire way to put a
smile on your face. Cult
accessories brand Hogan
released a capsule collection
designed by stylist and editor
Katie Grand called Love,
featuring signature shapes from
Hogan plastered with polka dots.
Reminiscent of prayer beads, the statement
necklace piece and tasseled bracelets from
Italian house Rosantica adds an Oriental element.
All Rosantica pieces are handmade in their
Milanese workshop using a blend of traditional
and modern techniques. These pieces are
available at Etoile boutique, Dubai.
42 \ EID CHIC
Fanilla Couture
brings pop art to
their latest tees,
giving the Middle
Eastern treatment to
classic Renaissance
paintings and
highlighting the
traditional women of
the desert. Shop
fanillacouture.
tumblr.com for the
casual option
during Eid.
Heres an alternative to the
hand henna the hand
bracelet. Gaydamak, the
pioneers of this very chic
jewellery has just landed in
the Middle East and their
intricate motifs are sure to
light up your hands for
evening occasions.
These fun rainbow
colour leather
pieces make for
good gifts for the
young ones. Fresh
from the newly
introduced Lacoste
leather collection
for summer 2014,
the range includes
wallets, totes, gym
bags and covers for
tech gadgets.
EID CHIC / 43
The ever classic Van Cleef Arpels
jewellery house launches the
Cosmos collection that explores the
delicate influences of nature with
blooming flowers. The pieces feature
four heart-shaped petals motif in the
materials of mother-of-pearl, pink
gold, onyx and white gold.
One of the
trendiest ways to
stay modest this
season is the ball
gown skirt. Ingie
Paris does a
shimmering gold
number for their
pre-fall collection
while Poca Poca
goes for the
stripey effect.
From their summer
catwalk presentation,
Valentino brings to life
the Valentino Garavani
Horoscope necklace
collection which makes
for personalised presents
for different horoscope
signs. The necklaces are
in brass with satinized
gold finishing. Valentino
boutique is located
Villaggio Mall.
44 \ EID CHIC
Buttery soft Aladdin slippers from Lanvin hit all
the right spots especially when you are visiting
friends and family during Eid. Available in
various leathers, the sparkly gradient shades
are part of the brands summer focus. Finish the
look with a Kiss necklace to spread the festive
cheer. Lanvin boutique is located Villaggio Mall.
Keep your hands lightweight and
swap the bag for a clutch. As an
extension of your outfit,
accessorise with box-style pieces
like the Kayu Katherine Shell
Clutch and the Skalidi Leather
and Wood Asymmetrical Clutch.
The Kayu clutch features a
mother of pearl effect with suede
lining while the Skalidi number
can be transformed into a cross
body with a detachable bronze
chain. Both the pieces are
available from www.zahrart.com
QELA brings the traditional mashrabiya motif to
their signature Lulu clutch and Nasheet wallet
this summer. A perfect homage to the Qatari
culture, these pieces make for great gifts.
Have some fun with the
charms on your bracelet and
mix it up every day of Ramadan
with different combinations
from Pandora. The brand has
just released a mix of
flamboyant colours, intriguing
patterns and mystical motifs
for a truly customisable look.
Get them from Fifty One East
at City Center Mall, Moderna at
The Centre or the Pandora
boutique at Lagoona Mall.
EID CHIC / 45
TRENDING WITH
EXPERIMENTATION
AMAL AZHARI
Vibrant and pulsating with life, the colours and prints on the Amal Azhari kaftans are so
mesmerising we could hardly take our eyes off them. The pieces are perfect accompaniments this
season whether for celebrating the Holy Month and Eid or a beachside summer escapade. Marketing
wiz turned designer Amal Azhari began making kaftans and bags in 2005 and quickly gained
success following her presentation at Paris Fashion Week the year after. As her collections debut in
Qatar this season at Per Lei Couture boutique, we caught up with the designer on a 101 to her work.
46 \ EID CHIC
INSPIRATIONS
AND DESIGN
In my creations, I strive to fuse
elements of civilizations and
cultures from all around the globe.
Everything I encounter inspires
me in ways I cant explain. I look
upon my family and home as the
primary sources of inspiration,
especially when I retire to do my
study late into the night. I jot
down all sorts of ideas and
thoughts in my notepad which I
keep close all the time. My latest
collection, Wind, is inspired by the
desert, the golden sands and
dunes. It is a piece of art full of
vivid eye-catching colors that
reflect a spirit full of life and joy. It
is a fusion between the bohemian
style and an easy-going pattern,
giving a feminine aura. Wind was
mostly made of three types of
fabrics with Indian designs,
manufactured from cotton, silk
and chiffon transparent fabrics.
EID CHIC / 47
48 \ EID CHIC
HISTORY
Ever since I was a child, I used to
frequently head down to our
family-owned sandy beach resort
in north Lebanon, wearing puffy
loose clothes, which earned me
the nickname the tanned
gypsy. The turning point in my
career took place whilst I was
attending an event in southern
France, where I wore for the very
first time, an abaya of my own
design. I received compliments
and praise which gave me the
push I needed to actively start
designing my own collection.
THE MIDDLE
EASTERN MUSE
Middle Eastern women have a
unique aura, an air that stands
out from other women
elsewhere. Arab women are
stylish, love fashion, and always
strive to better themselves. This
sense of self-worth motivates
me in designing pieces that
reflect these characteristics. As
a muse, the Arab woman
inspires me to stay innovative,
to constantly aim to raise the
bar in my next collection.
EID CHIC / 49
DKNY LAUNCHES
THE BRANDS FIRST
REGIONALISED
CAMPAIGN FOR
SUMMER 2014 IN
CELEBRATION OF THE
HOLY MONTH. THE
SUMMER CAPSULE
COLLECTION INCLUDES
A SELECTION OF ITEMS
THAT REPRESENT
DKNYS STRIKING
COLOR PALETTE AND
KEY LOOKS FOR THE
SEASON.THE CAMPAIGN
FEATURES MIDDLE EAST
SOCIAL MEDIA ICONS,
YALDA GOLSHARIFI AND
TAMARA AL GABBANI TO
FURTHER REACH OUT
TO FASHION FORWARD
COMMUNITIES IN THIS
REGION ON A MORE
PERSONALISED LEVEL.
Photographer: Saeed Al Khalifa
Makeup: Revlon Middle East
Hairstylist: Ricci Capricci Beauty Salon
RAMADAN
CAPSULE
COLLECTION
2014
DKNY
50 \
EID CHIC / 51
52 \ EID CHIC
DKNY boutique
is located
at Lagoona Mall.
EID CHIC / 53
54 \ EID CHIC
DETAILED HAND WOVEN EMBROIDERY AND
THICK-SET FABRICS SET THE TONE FOR THE
LAVISH COLLECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN A
STAPLE FROM THE LABEL ISABELLA FERRERA
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
The name evokes a Mediterranean charm representing the heritage of the labels
designer Hania Nasreddin who has now finally decided to call Qatar home. Her
collection has become a familiar go-to for elaborate and decorative kaftans and
jalabiyas with the local fashion set every piece is unique with its handmade
elements making it a keepsake piece for the next generation.
Inspirations
I was inspired by old Hollywood looks from the 1930s and nature. Some of the
pieces have a vintage feel, and some others have a fresh summery appeal. Having
grown up in Tangier, Morocco - a picturesque town with rich colours of the
ocean and nature made it easy to portray nature in my designs. Beauty is what
influences my work. I think the key thing for me is to be able to see beauty, and I
can see it in anything from nature, art, furniture; its pretty random.
Essence of the brand
I first designed my own kaftan when I was twelve. I went with my mom to pick
a fabric, and then I chose the style and embroidery. I never thought of it as
designing; in fact I thought it was a pretty normal thing to do until people started
asking me who made the kaftans I wore. The signature of the label is femininity,
and originality. The pieces are delicate, worldly, and they are very hard to imitate.
The fabric, the adornments of beads, lace, crystals, and motifs are from all over
the world so I like to think that each kaftan is your little own piece of everywhere.
Heritage
I am half Syrian, and a little bit of Eritrean and Saudi. I spent my childhood in
Morocco. My nationality is Italian, I was born in Milan, and having lived there for
a few years, I felt that I wanted to give the brand an Italian name. The kaftan is
more or less an Eastern dress and I did not want to limit my dresses to a particular
region. They are for everyone and I am from everywhere, so I wanted to give it a
Western name to attract a broader audience and to represent who I am.
Design Process
I have a small production, only one piece per style. Some pieces take up to
three months to be made. They are all handmade, and there are up to seven
people involved in the whole process. Then there are specialists who deal with
embroidery (tarz), and others who deal with beading. The sfifa is handmade by a
craftsman who only makes sfifas, and the belts are also made by a craftsman who
specially makes belts. Its a lengthy, delicate process, and you can see the ardour
on the pieces. All the pieces are made in Morocco, where they excel at this type of
handiwork in a way like no other place in the world.
Isabella Ferrera is available at Jo La Mode boutique, Royal Plaza.
BREAKING
BOUNDARIES
EID CHIC / 55
FASHION / 59
Heralding the unmistakably treasured Florentine craftsmanship, the self-taught designer Ermanno
Scervino brought forth a new touch to old couture, the sporty touch. Ermanno combined two of
his passions, the art of clothing and architecture to offer sporty couture styling based on
traditional silhouettes resulting in a collection of evening jackets, and fitted corsets that are
elegant yet contemporary. His initial works the technique he applied to sportswear - were so
well-received in Italy for it identified with the free-spirited and innovative needs of women at the
time. After setting up a series of workshops to form his atelier, he has sought to imprint the Made
in Florence concept as an integral part of his brands DNA. The house presented their latest
collection in Qatar to inaugurate the opening of its second Middle East boutique, that will focus
on both womenswear and kids collection. The Gulf countries are one of the most interesting
markets for the Maison, says Toni Scervino, CEO of the Ermanno Scervino Group. They are
looking for the authentic Made in Italy quality that we have never betrayed, in terms of both
materials and workmanship, and clearly also of style. We have a cultured, international clientele,
thats why Doha is a crucial step in our retail expansion. Ermanno Scervino is represented by Ali
bin Ali Group and the new boutique is located at Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. DEBRINA ALIYAH
LA DOLCE VITA
FASHION / 59
82 \
THE
MANISH
ARORA
KALEIDOSCOPE
I
n the midst of the explosion of colours
and candies that ran amok in the space
at The Closet, the reigning factor was
the unbelievably intricate and precise
beading details of Manish Aroras
work. The crme de la crme of the AW
2014 collection was the final piece on
the runway during the presentation at
Paris, a fully beaded fuchsia number
featuring cascading red waves. It was
the star piece during the trunk show, of course,
the modest silhouette a winner though definitely
not shy in the colour department.
Introducing the fall collection to Qatar,
a collection which can be best described as
electrifying and sugar-high inducing (all puns
intended), The Closet teamed up with Plush
Events to recreate a Willy Wonka-worthy
sugar wonderland. Candies designed from the
ornaments and embellishments on Manish
Aroras collection came to life, bringing a three-
BY DEBRINA ALIYAH
FASHION / 83
dimensional experience of the designers work.
In creating the collection, the designer had
bought generous bags of candies as ground work.
Combining the colourful and decadent world
of sweets with the brands equally off-kilter
aesthetics, the collection brims with wide-
sleeved sweatshirts, baggy sweatpants, puffy cape
coats, and generous full-skirts. The prints, of ice
creams, chocolate bars, and candy canes, extend
into a Christmas winter house and a fantasy space
universe. There were Oriental touches a kimono
neckline top and the ever-present obi-belt that
has been given a puffy touch.
The finishing touches to the collection were
our favourites, little gummy bear charms, cup
cake ear muffs, cherry on the top beanies, and
the cushiony soft high-top sneakers reminiscent
of our childhood teddy soft toy. David Martinez
from Blue Brush Studio worked his magic to
create coiled candies on the models hair and
mile-long rainbow eyelashes that fluttered
happily at the trunk show. Special guest at the
event, Kuwaiti celebrity beauty blogger Dala
AlDoud was absolutely fascinated by the candy
universe that Manish Arora had created for Fall.
I really love the colours. It is kind of crazy but it
is so covetable!
90 \ FASHION
THE
CHAMELEON
CITY
WILL YOU EVER GET ENOUGH OF ISTANBUL
AND ITS MYSTIC, WHEN EVERY PASSING DAY
HERALDS NEW DISCOVERIES THAT POINTS TO
A DEEPER PAST? THE RELENTLESS HISTORICAL
AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS THAT
CONTINUES TO THIS DAY PROMISES MORE
OBJECTS AND FINDS THAT DENOTES AN EVEN
OLDER CIVILIZATION IN THE CONTINENTS
HISTORY THAN WE ALREADY KNOW. CHANGE
HAS BEEN A SYNONYMOUS FACTOR FOR THE
CITY, AS IT SAW THE RISE AND FALL OF EMPIRES
AND NOW A CONVERGENCE INTO A GLOBAL
MEETING POINT BETWEEN THE EAST AND WEST.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY DEBRINA ALIYAH
TRAVEL / 91
the Bosphorus Bridge that connects the two continents, like
an invitation for lovers from two lands to meet, locals set up
fishing lines as a daily after-work ritual. As they wait patiently
for the catch of the day (if luck dictates), they banter and admire
the strait while tourists throng the walkway with cameras and
excited chatters. Istanbul is no stranger to the influx of travellers
curious to see the glory of the Islamic empire that blended
seamlessly into the Christian throne that they have taken over
from. But with its evolving historical landscape and the rise of its
own modern pop culture, the city beguiles visitors to return again
and again. It is like drinking from a cup that never ends.
Go deep into the heart of Sufism the defining spiritual
experience that is unique to Istanbul at the Hodja Pasha Dance
Theater. Once a day, the theater opens its doors for visitors to
experience the highly private Sema ceremony where men go
through a spiritual ascent of mind through the physical act of
whirling. It is a hypnotising sight and endears you to reflect
internally on your own state of mind. A spiritual journey later,
get familiar with the complex history of the Byzantine and
the Ottoman through the many monuments that were built to
awe, the Topkapi Palace, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, the Hagia
Sophia and the Basicilia Cistern. The city remains probably
the only place in the world to soak in the glory of the Islamic
civilization as the Topkapi Palace plays sentinel to the holy relics
of Prophet Muhammad himself.
The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market offer a treat to the
senses with a rainbow of colours, smells and tastes indulge in
a Simit (Turkish bagel) and Pide (flatbread) as you mime sign
language with street vendors to bring home Turkish delights
and exotic tea concoctions. For a slice of the hip Turkish culture
revolution, head on to Tunel and Karakoy for quaint cafes
and local boutiques designed by local artists. The Istanbul
Handicrafts Center, housed in a restored 17th Century madrasah
(school), is a gem for its hand-painted silk, ceramics, porcelain
and contemporary interpretation of ebru an age old Turkish
art form of marbled paper. Stay stylish into the evening and get
visual at 360, the much-lauded rooftop eatery with a complete
view of the city that specialises in some delicious Kibbe
meatballs.
For a final chance to soak in the magnificence of the city
from the inside and out, head upwards to the Eyup district, a
predominantly Muslim area that has long been used as a place of
burial. The calmness that envelopes the elevated area makes for a
quiet cup of Turkish coffee while you take in the almost bird's eye
view of the Golden Horn at the boutique cafes on the hill.
On