RED, GREEN & GOLD FOR CHRISTMAS

 There are several colors which are traditionally associated with Christmas. I like Red, Green and Gold. But why do I like them and what do the colors represent?

 Evergreen plants, like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and that winter wouldn't last forever!

 An early use of red at Christmas were the apples on the paradise tree. They represented the fall of Adam in the plays. 

 Red is also the color of Holly berries, which is said to represent the blood of Jesus when he died on the cross. 

 Red is also the color of Bishops robes. These would have been worn by St. Nicholas and then also became Santa's uniform!

  Gold is the color of the Sun and light - both very important in the dark winter. And both red and gold are the colors of fire that you need to keep you warm.

Gold was also one of the presents brought to the baby Jesus by one of the wise men and traditionally it's the color used to show the star that the wise men followed Silver is sometimes used instead of (or with) gold. But gold is a 'warmer' color.

HUSSEIN BAZAZA SS 2016 COLLECTION

Hussein Bazaza was born in Beirut, Lebanon on 18th July 1990. Having developed an appreciation of all artistic fields from an early age, including illustration and photography, he enrolled at ESMOD Beirut to study for a BA in Fashion Design and Pattern Making.

During his academic path, Hussein’s designs have been acknowledge by several awards, which include the Fashion Design Prize (Prix De Stylisme) for his graduation project in June 2011.

Graduating from his BA in 2011, Bazaza continued with an internship at Maison Rabih Kayrouz in Paris, and later worked for Elie Saab as a junior designer in Beirut, Lebanon. Hussein was invited to teach at ESMOD Beirut the Stylisme course for the fresh students.

Bazaza’sfirst collection in 2012 mapped out his signature style, he was selected by the Starch Foundation to launch his eponymous line of ready-to-wear. 

Hussein is known for drawing inspirations, where every cut reflects a different story, a personal emotion that creates a one-of-a-kind experience, fashion with a soul.

Hussein received the prestigious Elle Style Award “Best Upcoming Middle East Designer” in December 2013, unanimously voted by 44 global Elle editors.

In October 2014, Hussein Bazaza partnered with IWC Schaffhausen to exclusively showcase his Resort'15 collection with Adriana Lima, as a guest of honor.

In April 2015, Hussein was awarded with the “Best Emerging Designer” for The Middle East Fashion Awards 2015

THEY ARE LOOKING GOOD

Cassie Ventura, in Zuhair Murad, and Sean Combs

Jay Z and Beyoncé, in Givenchy, with Lorraine Schwartz jewels

Thakoon Panichgul, and Sienna Miller, in Thakoon, with Christian Louboutin shoes and a Rauwolf clutch

Kanye West, in Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas, and Kim Kardashian West, in Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas, with Lorraine Schwartz jewels

Riccardo Tisci and Julianne Moore, in Givenchy

Lee Daniels and Naomi Campbell, both in Burberry Prorsum, with Verdura jewels

Tom Ford and Rita Ora, in a dress by the designer, with Lorraine Schwartz jewels

Peter Dundas, and Joan Smalls, in Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas,with Chopard jewels

Amal Clooney, in Maison Margiela Haute Couture, with Lorraine Schwartz jewels, and George Clooney, in Giorgio Armani

Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, both in Louis Vuitton

Donna Karan and Calvin Klein

Taylor Hackford and Helen Mirren, in Dolce & Gabbana

ZUHAIR MURAD 2016 COLLECTIONS

Zuhair Murad was born to a Maronite family in Beirut. Shortly after high school, Zuhair Murad moved from Beirut to Paris where he obtained his degree in fashion.

In 1999 Murad made his first appearance on the catwalks of Rome with an acclaimed collection that led to his participation in the Italian calendar. In 1995, Murad opened his third head shop in Beirut. His extensive lines encompass haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and eyewear. 

Plans to expand the fashion line are underway to include beauty products, perfumes,swimwear and lingerie as well as furnishings. Two boutiques (including showrooms) have been opened. The first in Beirut on Charles Helou Avenue and the second on rue Francois I in Paris. He also has a showroom in Milan on the Via Borgogna.

Marion Cotillard, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Ivana Trump, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, Kellie Pickler, Najwa Karam, Shakira, Katy Perry, Christina Applegate, Vanessa Williams, Ana Ortiz, and many more have been seen wearing his dresses. He has also dressed the likes of Najwa Karam, in her video clips, "Lashhad Hobbak" and "MaFi Noum."

Miley Cyrus was seen wearing one of his creations at the Academy Awards, and most recently Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez wore his creations at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards.He also designed Miss France's dress Chloé Mortaud for Miss Universe 2009 and 5 dresses for the final of Miss France 2010. Florence Welch was last seen wearing one of his creations during the Brits awards. His dress was silver silk with gold and silver beaded designs.

Nina Dobrev, Christina Aguilera, Wanda Sykes, and singer Jewel were seen wearing Zuhair Murad dresses at the 2010 Emmy Awards. Kerry Washington wore one of his gowns at the 2011 Emmy Awards. Cheryl Cole wore one of his designs on The X Factor. Fergie has аlso worn his designs. Princess al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia wore his creation when she attended the wedding of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Blake Lively was also wearing a Zuhair Murad dress  from his Spring 2012 Couture collection at the worldwide premier of her new movie "SAVAGES" at Westwood Village.

 She had also previously been seen in a beautiful Zuhair Murad dress in a Season 4 episode of Gossip Girl entitled 'Juliet doesn't live here anymore' Kristen Stewart wore a Zuhair Murad dress at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival for a screening of her 2012 film On the Road and also at the premiere in Los Angeles of her film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2

French actress Marion Cotillard wore a floral Zuhair Murad dress from his Fall 2012 collection at the 2013 Critics' Choice Awards.

BEST FASHION MOVIES

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA – DAVID FINERMAN (2006)

Based on Lauren Weisberger’s homonymous 2003 novel, The Devil Wears Prada tells the story of a young girl, Andrea Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) struggling to survive in her job at one of the most illustrious fashion magazines in the world as co-assistant to editor in chief Miranda Priestly (interpreted by Meryl Streep). The great cast boasts also Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. Meryl Streep gained her 14th Oscar as Best Actess for her outstanding interpretation of Priestly, a character probably inspired by US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

YVES SAINT LAURENT 2014

If you are considered of one of the greatest names in fashion history, who had such an incredible story, you deserve more than just one movie about your life! There are several movies about Saint Laurent: “L’amour fou” (2010) tells the life story of this great designer from the perspective of his big love, soul mate and business partner Pierre Bergé. In 2014 there were even two movies released telling the live of Yves Saint Laurent: Saint aurent and Yves Saint Laurent, which is named as the best one.

COCO CHANEL 2009

To perfect our knowledge about the biggest fashion designer, we were blessed when Coco Chanel was released in 2009. A very nice movie showing the early life of Gabrielle Chanel, better known as Coco Chanel, the big designer who relieved women from the corsage in the late twenties. A very well done and romantic movie with the charming Audrey Tautou in the leading role.

FACTORY GIRL – GEORGE HICKENLOOPER (2006)

Factory girl is the biopic based on the life of 1960s iconic superstar and Andy Warhol’s muse Edie Sedgwick, starring Sienna Miller. A modern interpretation of one the most popular fashion myths of the 60s, which however received lots of negative critiques by the living representatives of the Factory. For a deeper look at the life of the incredible Edie it’s worth watching the docu-film Ciao! Manhattan where Edie and the other characters play the role of themselves.

VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR 2008

Coming from one fashion icon to the next one: Valentino Garavani.

This movie shows the life of Valentino and is very amusing and adorable. You really get the feeling to meet the legendary designer through this movie or at least you seem to know him as good as an old friend after you watched this funny and emotional movie about a man who reached for the stars and really got them.

LAGERFELD CONFIDENTIAL 2007

Karl Lagerfeld is not only creative director for Fendi and Coco Chanel, which is considered as the most famous fashion brand in the world, he is a brand by himself! With his white ponytail, black sunglasses and high starched collars he has become a legend in the fashion industry. Lagerfeld Confidential gives you a really deep insight of Karl Lagerfeld as a designer and as a person. If you want to talk about fashion, this documentary simply mustn’t miss in your movie collection.

GIA 1998

A grammy-winning fashion drama tells the true story about Gia Carangi starring Angelina Jolie, that shows the up’s and down’s of being a supermodel in the eighties, fighting with temptations like drugs and the exploding sex-scene from these century. Gia was one of the first famous women who died of HIV. A good insight of the fashion scene in a very wild and obsessive time period.

TONY WARD BRIDAL COLLECTION - 2016

Tony Ward, son of a well known couturier based in Beirut, grew up in the effervescent world of Fashion, surrounded by the most beautiful silks and the perfectly cut suits which made his father famous among high society women.

 At the age of 18, he enrolled in the most prestigious Fashion Design school in Paris, "L'Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne"

After working for seven years with Claude Montana at Lanvin, with Gianfranco Ferré at Christian Dior couture then with Karl Lagerfeld at Chloé, learning the secrets of Haute Couture techniques up to the highest standards, he was ready to launch his own brand. 

 His talent, combined with the master craftsmanship of the family Atelier, led him create Collections of Couture gowns of exquisite femininity and sophistication.

The sublime Spring 2015 couture presentation by Tony Ward early this year had us eagerly anticipating for the latest from the Lebanese designer, and the his newest bridal collection certainly didn’t disappoint! Tony Ward’sSpring 2016 bridal collection, launched at Kleinfeld during New York International Bridal Week recently, features the perfect balance of fresh, modern detailing with elegant twists to time-honored silhouettes.

 “The inspiration and concept for Ward’s premiere bridal collection stem from his interpretation of roses and florals in abstract paintings – the body and silhouettes reflect discoveries found in nature’s endless shapes and figures. 

  Ward created a sophisticated and trend-worthy bridal collection featuring richly embroidered bodices and slim a-line skirts; the fabric paired with Ward’s unique designs offer a three-dimensional feel with a decidedly modern edge.

 Tightly fitted bodices emphasize the waist, where subtle floral embellishments add flavor, texture and individuality to the simple, structured forms – a perfect combination for the modern day bride.”

Tony Ward’s 2016 bridal collection will be available exclusively at Kleinfeld in the USA.