'Moroccan Holiday' by Steven Meisel

I came across this 'Moroccan Holiday' editorial by photographer Steven Meisel for the May 2009 issue of Vogue Italia and fell completely in love. I'm such a fan of the full bold colors used and I love the retro oriental look that is becoming more and more popular in mainstream media. This makes me all the more eager to plan my own 'Moroccan Holiday'! Check out my favorites from the editorial:

Myriam Fares-Al Gasayad... Arab Lady Gaga?

More so than the music in this video, I'm in LOVE with the outfits Myriam wore. She's grown as an artist and I think she's finally found a personality that suits her. Check out these dresses!! Do I sense an Arab Lady Gaga in the works? Fabulous!

Malaak Autumn/Winter 11/12... Heaven in an Abaya

 After a LOOONG hiatus, I'm back and ready to serve up some more fashion from the Middle East, and I want to start with a long overdue post about one of my favorite abaya labels, Malaak. Run by Dubai based designer Huda N., the label celebrates the fusion of regional and international culture that is Dubai. Taking the abaya and making it fashionable is a daunting task but Malaak does it gracefully and even exceeds expectation. Not only is there a natural mix of cultures in the designs but also a mix of times with a lot of the pieces having a very retro look while still being modern and dare I say sexy! From the drapery to the studs, every piece has its own unique feature. I'm particularly a fan of the 80's-esque blazers with the studded shoulders. Below are my favorites from Malaak's Autumn/Winter 2011-12 collection:

DARMAKI: The Middle East's Own Luxury Footwear Brand

The Middle East has yet another gem to add to its crown, it's very own homegrown luxury footwear designer! UK- based Sultan Al Darmaki, the Emirati designer behind the luxury footwear couturier, DARMAKI, combines cultural and artistic influences to create one of a kind designs. DARMAKI incorporates culture, high-end materials, superior Italian manufacturing, and attention to detail to create luxury footwear that makes the line a unique and viable contender in the international designer footwear market.

Sultan Al Darmaki follows the philosophy of Andre Perugia in believing that a woman's personality is revealed in her shoes. That being said, the ideal DARMAKI woman is elegant, sophisticated, and not afraid to experiment with her style. Each shoe in the collection exudes its own character that caters to a different type of woman. DARMAKI also expresses the creativity of the designer who uses different motifs, including Arabesque, while not sacrificing the femininity and sexiness of the shoes. To find out more about DARMAKI's A/W 2011 collection, check out the site here. 

In the meantime, here are some of my favorites:

NazCannon: Emirati Style Avant-Garde

 While in Dubai this past month I got the chance to take a look at the Spring/Summer 2011 collection of Emirati designer Nasser Mohammed Al Midfa, the driving force behind the menswear label NazCannon. I was simply blown away by the edginess of the pieces in the collection. It is not everyday that you see edgy and avant-garde fashion coming out of the label obsessed Emirates, but NazCannon breaks the mold by breathing fresh air into not only the Emirati menswear fashion scene, but also the international menswear fashion scene. His use of a range of silhouettes and dramatic draping techniques goes against the grain of many menswear designers who choose a more tailored and staid look for their collections. NazCannon's look is part punk, part chic, part rock n roll, and all original. I especially like the androgynous nature of many of the pieces as they would look equally as sexy on a girl as on a boy. If you want to check out all of NazCannon's looks, head to the boutique Bullets & Butterflies at the Mercato Mall in Dubai where his collection is sold exclusively. In the meantime, check out some of my favorites from his SS '11 Lookbook!!

Reemami S/S 2011: Color At the Fairground

As a fervent color-o-holic, any collection that makes extensive use of bold colors while not making their designs look clownish or kitschy is a winner for me. Reemami, a Dubai based fashion line owned and designed by Reema Al Banna, is one such label that I'm now in love with. Born and raised in Dubai with a background in graphic design, Reema is not afraid to use bold playful colors and designs that can be statement pieces for any girl. Her designs are for the young at heart who like to have fun with their wardrobe and don't take life too seriously.

These ethos are echoed in the campaign shots for Reemami which are shot at a fairground. How much more playful can you get?! The shoot really shows off the color and lifestyle of the ideal Reemami girl. Love, love love!

Erdem Spring/Summer 2011: What Spring Means To Me

 I am still in denial that it is cold outside here in New York City and am already looking forward to having picnics in Central Park, outdoor seating at restaurants, beautiful people, and blossoming flowers. Turkish-Canadian designer Erdem Moralioglu's Spring/Summer 2011 collection helps with that denial by providing me the release I need from the cold weather with a beautiful collection that embodies exactly what spring means to me. His pieces are light, playful, and exude springtime in every way from the lace embroidery down to the colorful flower prints. So while spring is taking its time getting to the city, I'll look at pictures of spring and Erdem's collection to get me through the harsh weather. Snow tomorrow? No big deal.

Check it: