Scene in Beirut...The Jacket

What do you think about her jacket?

Scene in Beirut...Fashionable Mom

I like to see mothers that haven't given up on themselves after raising kids. This beautiful mom was strutting down the streets of Downtown Beirut with such grace and poise that I had to stop her for a picture. Her look is so effortless but so well put together. Click for larger image.

Scene in Beirut...The Accessories

Spotted in Beirut Souks: This woman took a simple dress and made it into something more. The scarf, patterened stockings, and belt add just the right touch without being too much. Click image for a larger view.

Scene in Beirut...Sophisticated Soukman

I've decided to do something a little different and very exciting with this blog. I will be in Beirut, Lebanon until August and I've realized that the streets of the Middle East hold just as much style and sophistication as the rest of the world but unfortunately they have hardly been represented in world renowned street style blogs. This is why I have started a Middle Eastern street style aspect to my blog! The title for these street style posts will be "Scene in Beirut."

I'll be taking photos of the fashions I see on the streets of Beirut in particular and, hopefully, branching out later to other parts of the Middle East. 

Beirutis, put on your best heels and head to the streets for a photo!

The picture above is of a sophisticated gentleman I found in Beirut Souks. His style is simple, preppy, and well put together. He's found the perfect fit of jeans for his body type as well! Click on the picture for a larger more detailed image.

Qasimi Spring 2010: If Lady Gaga Wears it, it MUST be good!

Another Arab designer lands right on the mark! Maybe even past it! UAE designer Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the creative head behind the high end luxury label Qasimi, stuns with his Spring 2010 womenswear collection. “It’s based on Byzantine women who have been woken up from a crypt and hauled on to the catwalk” says Al Qasimi about the collection. And he sure did wake up some beautifully dressed women. The models strutted down the runway in armor-like gold encrusted boleros and flowing satin. For extra measure, Qasimi included ivory harem pants cum jodhpurs that would put all others to shame. The designer didn't shy away from bold colors either. He chose turquoise and tomato red. His architectural background showed in his preference for angular pieces and his drapery is inspiring.

Qasimi is new in the fashion game but his designs have already been worn by the likes of fashion maven Lady Gaga, who wore a Qasimi jacket in her performance of Just Dance at the V Festival in UK. He's also dressed it-girl Florence Welch. His career is definitely a promising one and it's great to see another designer from the Middle East blossom in the international fashion world.

Burberry Spring 2010: The Watson Two

Emma Watson strikes again! And this time in the company of her gorgeous brother, Alex Watson! The duo share the limelight in Burberry's most recent campaign. Both Watsons are the perfect face for the British brand's campaign and they take stunning photos together. Shot by Mario Testino, the campaign also features George Craig, Matt Gilmour, and Max Hurd. Burberry's style as always stays classic with tailored trench coats, fitted suits, and bags that would make any woman drool. And if you're not drooling over the bags and clothes, drool over the models!

Designer Thobes?

 Above: Television Producer  Tariq Edrees sporting Toby

I love it when designers take a traditional garment and make it glamorous. One brand, Toby, has done just that with its own unique take on the traditional men's garment of the Arab Gulf countries. For many men in the gulf countries, the thobe signifies a tie to their past that they are adamant about keeping. Many men take pride in wearing the traditional garment but for today's fashion conscious Arab youth, a little more sophistication and glamor is needed for them to sport the thobe proudly.

 As the brainchild of Saudi Arabian designer Hatem Al Akeel, Toby prides itself on producing thobes that merge the traditional with contemporary fashion elements. Toby creates pieces that are palatable to both Eastern and Western tastes and provides an opportunity for Arab youth in the gulf countries to express their individuality while holding on to their sartorial legacy. I want to buy a thobe now!

The designer:
Toby:

Diana Haddad: Ya 3aibo

I LOVE Diana Haddad's playfulness in this video! And I love that she does a full range of music, from khaleeji to dabke. Love her!
She's definitely one of the classier Arab female singers.

Can't Take it With You: Photographs of Muslims In America

Take a journey with photographer Omar Mullick as he reveals his seven years of documenting Muslims in America at Gallery FCB. Mullick's work entitled "Can't Take It With You: Photographs of Muslims in America 2002-2009" is a culmination of the many road trips he took throughout America to document the lives of Muslims. The exhibit shows a cross-section of America that is rarely uncovered. From Sufi gatherings to veiled music producers, Mullick "unveils" the Islam that is not shown in today's post-9/11 news, where war and extremism are always attached to Muslims. The exhibit opens with a reception on October 8th at 6pm, and ends on November 5th. Come out and support Omar Mullick's work! I will be there tomorrow!
Gallery FCB is located at 16 W. 23rd St.

The First New York Kurdish Film Festival: Cinema Across Borders

Save the date! The first ever Kurdish film festival in the U.S. will take place this October 21-25, 2009. The festival will showcase films and documentaries from the Kurdish Middle East as well as the Kurdish diaspora. This five day event will feature ten short films, a documentary, and eight feature films. It will also include discussions and a filmmaker's panel with respected Kurdish filmmakers from the Middle East and abroad. Through this festival, hopefully a better understanding of an often marginalized culture can be reached. It is time the Kurds had a voice!

All screenings will either take place at the NYU Cantor Film Center or the NYU Hagop Kevorkian Center. Visit the Arteeast website for more details and showtimes.