Looking At Men’s Sandals In Saudi Inspired The Creation Of Thaqafah

So once I got to the states in mid 2013 I continued running my first company Sole Shoe Boutique after putting the shop on pause for two years because of taking a teaching job in Saudi (I’ll explain the purpose of that move in another post) and I got a suggestion from my dear mother to learn how to make my own footwear which I thought was absurd knowing all of the skill and lengthy training involved in learning shoe making.

I kept it in the back of mind however and kept on with business as usual with the online boutique selling other designer’s shoes.

Once 2014 rolled around I started missing Saudi and thought of those beautiful sandals I saw the men wearing, then I said to myself that if I ever created a shoe brand then it would have to have meaning, be unique , and stand out. Then I thought about what I would name the shoe brand if I created one etc.

Finally I decided on the name Thaqafah which means culture after settling on designs that I wanted to start my brand with which were the Pakistani Chappal, and the Saudi Shargiy sandal.

But I had one problem. Where would I find shoe makers to make these shoes and how could  I make them feminine?

After doing much research I found a craftsman in Pakistan who specialized in both the designs and we worked together to settle on the design, leathers, colours and shapes of my first prototype and sample.

This is what we came up with. to be continued………..

Starting My Style Blog And Where I Am Now

So let me start by thanking all of you who have subscribed to the blog and followed us all of these years.

I am from the United States and started this blog in 2013 while working as an English instructor in Saudi Arabia just before ending my contract at the school I was working at in Riyadh. At the time I was creating my new journey and path towards getting settled in the middle east through establishing my own business which brings me to my current position.

Teaching Saudi Students

If you’ve been here from the beginning then you’ll know that I mentioned that my love of shoes brought me to start this blog in the first place, and my determination to find unique footwear brands from around the globe to showcase them here on Style Diversity.

You will also remember that I would periodically post shoes for sale that linked to an online boutique that I owned called Sole Shoe Boutique that I started in 2006 which is now dissolved since 2019.

I also announced the making of my own shoe brand that I created called Thaqafah Shoes (Google me) that I periodically posted designs from on the blog. This was happening while I was suffering from an autoimmune disease for 17 years, raising my children, moving from country to country, starting a new life in the UAE and trying to expand the business here to finally getting settled making the UAE our final destination to build our lives in.

Thaqafah Shoes Images On Google

I had absolutely no help at all despite being married. But I’m a fighter , very goal driven and came a very long way under almost impossible circumstances.

I kept my businesses online and mobile because of my semi nomad lifestyle which worked well for me and what I was trying to do.

I’m now in a position where I got rid of dead weight (if you know what I mean) am settled and ready to take my career to new heights.

I haven’t posted much here over the past couple of years because of everything I just mentioned above however I was consistent with posting pics on our social media page @Stylediversity_Khaleej and we managed to gain over 20,000 followers on the page.

Style Diversity Instagram Page

I plan to share more of my journey with you all on the blog along with news about Thaqafah and the progress and challenges that come along with entering a new market, since most of my customers are based in the USA , Canada and Europe.

So stay tuned for more style posts, fashion news , and more from the middle eastern designers and talent from the local area.

XoXo- Style Diversity

Cecilia Furlan Handmade

In The Workshop

So I came across this funky hip footwear brand out of Argentina called Cecilia Furlan.

I’ve actually been following them for some time and decided to finally write a post about the brand and share them with you.

Some of the best shoes that I’ve bought and worn in the 90’s were from South America from the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Peru etc. They have some of the best shoe makers and very colorful by culture which goes into their shoes inevitably.

According to the designer the brand was started in 2009 and are thriving in the present with a six person crew which is very impressive.

Here is more from the designer:

HELLO! I AM CECI FURLAN, DESIGNER AND CREATOR OF THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD, MY WORLD …

“After finishing studying textile and clothing design at the University of Córdoba, I began to feel something special about shoes and the need to create those little shoes myself that I imagined, but could not get anywhere.

It was thus that I decided to do a postgraduate degree in Footwear Design and Manufacturing, and finally in 2013 I started the Cecilia Furlan brand. I especially chose my name, precisely to represent those ideas that have been in my head for so long and that continue to inspire me to this day.

From the beginning I wanted our products to be made 100% by hand, through a careful, meticulous and quality process. and with noble materials.

The comfort of the shoe is one of our pillars, and luckily our clients recognize and value it constantly. Quality, comfort and timeless, feminine, and eclectic designs are qualities that have characterized us since our beginnings.

We are a team of 6 people who make all this possible, against all odds, but very happy to achieve it!”

I’m totally a fan of these shoes and I hope you will be as well. So if you would like to purchase some of the shoes then you can visit the site which is in Spanish.

I’m not quite sure if the designer speaks English but there is a WhatsApp icon on the site to contact them directly. Doesn’t hurt to try.

Shop Cecilia Furlan Shoes : http://cecifurlan.com

XoXo,

Style-Diversity

If you don’t know Papucei shoes then you are missing out

Papucei shoes are one of the funkiest, free spirited , uniquely quirky footwear brands out there.

I have been a fan of this brand from Romania for quite some time and have been following them for years now.

The color contrasts, funky free designs only those who are unique and comfortable in their own skin will dare to wear, and the overall individuality the designer has in creating their shoes.

Have a look at some of my picks from their recent season collection and judge for yourself.

If you love them as I do then head on over to www.papucei.ro and show them some shoe love.

Xoxo,

Style Diversity

Get Snazzy With Nofux Label Abayas

Nofux Label

If you know anything about the Middle East specifically the Gulf region (Kuwait,UAE,Saudi Arabia,Qatar,Bahrain) you would know that the Abaya is the official dress worn by local women in the area.

The Abaya is traditionally a long cloak that is worn open or closed and has so many style variations according to the talented designers who create them.

Here we have a unique blend of Middle Eastern Persian style take on the traditional cloak in whimsical, fun, quirky designs and colour combinations, with a mix of beautiful fabrics unique to this brand.

I have been following the brand for a few years now and had to make a post about it so you would get to know about it to.

You can shop the designers collection on Instagram @nofuxlabel and here.

Stay beautiful and fashionable as can be….

Xoxo,

Style- Diversity

How to be flashy and sassy chic

I am a fan of artistic expression in clothing and believe that a woman feels her best when she looks her best.

That being said, I absolutely love this Indian fashion brand I came across called Papa Don’t Preach.

The designer is a London College of Fashion student/graduate who created the Papa don’t preach brand in 2010. She managed to create a fusion between western and eastern culture appealing to both worlds respectively.

Here is a brief history on the designer taken from their Papa Don’t Preach site:

Designer and creative director of Papa Don’t Preach, Shubhika Davda, caught the entrepreneurial bug at a young age. Having made her first business acquisition during her college days at age 19, Shubhika took over a small boutique where she started to explore her passion for fashion. Armed with this invaluable experience and a fashion diploma from London College of Fashion, UK, she eventually launched her own label, Papa Don’t Preach, in 2010.

 Seeking inspiration from music and the arts, her designs are very individualistic, kitschy and effortlessly stylish. Remaining true to her essence, Shubhika’s Indo-western, high-street culture, exaggerated and dramatic design ideologies are immaculately expressed through the medium of clothes and accessories.

Her designs are a juxtaposition of Indian and Western aesthetics aiming to give a new definition to contemporary Indian bridal dressing and vibrant red carpet dressing. Her experimental hand embroidery techniques, quality conscious craftsmanship, inherent need to keep breaking the rules and most importantly her constant endeavour to make her viewer/buyer go “Oooo ! how did you do that! is what according to her keeps her going!

This brand makes me excited and happy looking at all of the embellishments and color patterns used to create these beautiful statement pieces.

If you are ever in Mumbai India and want to take a look in at their flagship store then you will not be disappointed at what you will find and experience there.

The 1200 sq ft Papa Don’t Preach flagship store designed by Design Hex sits in the heart of Mumbai (INDIA) in Lower Parel

Until next time, stay as fashionable, beautiful, and chic as can be.

Xoxo,

Style-Diversity

Saudi Sandals with a twist of Jil Sander

Far long have designers who were admirers of the classic arabian sandal from the gulf region, danced with making their own version of the unique ethnic footwear.

I must admit there is something quite special about the sandals donned by royals and layman alike of Arabia.

Here is a glimpse of the original, authentic , ethnic style of the sandal

Saudi Madas Sharqi worn by a local

A more festive detailed pair of the original for ladies….

Now take a look at Jil Sanders version of the classic

She calls them the detailed sandal. Can be purchased Here.

I personally like them and thinks she did an excellent job on modernizing an otherwise very ethnic looking shoe to meet the eclectic updated taste of the western world.

Here is an even more detailed version of the Saudi sandal by Jil Sander

These are my favorite.

Jil Sander isn’t the only designer making this sandals a part of her season collection. Last SS 2019 British Columbian designer Esteban Cortazar created a beautiful detailed version of the Saudi sandal in both flat and heeled styles.

Can be purchased Here.

I am all for designers venturing out into other cultures and putting their own touches and twists on the original design. After all that is what being an artist and designer is all about.

There are many versions of the sandal created by many designers and local brands in the Middle East. Take a look and get yourself a pair to stand out from the crowd.

Created by local brand Thaqafah in the United Arab Emirates. Can be purchased Here.

Created by local Emirati brand Tamashee. Can be purchased Here.

I hope you loved the collections just as much as I did. Until next time , stay as chic and fashionable as you are unique and special.

Xoxo,

Style-Diversity

Candy coated handmade custom Avarcas

If you want your very own pair of avarcas sandals in any color combination you’d like then make your way over to our Etsy shop to put in your custom order or purchase our ready design sandals.

We gave some fashion ideas to pair your Avarcas with in the pics below.

Enjoy!!!! Shop Here.

Xoxo Style-Diversity

Our Chic winter Donald J Pliner picks

If you haven’t heard of Donald J Pliner then today is the day to learn who he is and take a look at some of collection.

Since 1989, Donald J Pliner has built a reputation for innovative materials, unexpected design and quality craftsmanship in women’s and men’s footwear and accessories. The brand is known for combining impeccable design with a commitment to fit and comfort.
 

In Donald’s words, “A shoe needs to be fashionable, a shoe needs to be comfortable and a shoe needs to be special.”
 

Key Donald J Pliner branded design elements such as unusual haircalfs, printed leathers, stretch fabrics and elastics are included season after season for the utmost style and comfort. Beaded elements add textured embellishment across the line. Uniquely crafted heels, silhouettes and colors along with meticulous attention to detail make Donald J Pliner shoes works of art.
 

Inspired by energy. Drawn from destinations. From the beaches of Spain to the mountains of Italy, Donald J Pliner shoes, boots and accessories are infused with uniquely bold, unexpected and modern styling.

Thank you for looking at our picks for this chic designer and we will see you in our next post.

Xoxo,

Style-Diversity

Our Donna Karen New York pics FW 2019

We have selected some of our favorite current styles from Donna Karen. Feel free to comment if you are interested in a pair of our picks.

Sling back mules

Snake print sneakers

Studded metallic and nude loafers

Wedged ankle booties in stone suede and black leather

Embellished beaded pointed mule in black and nude satin

Horsebit accented loafers in nude calf hair,black kid leather, and sequin pewter

leather

Leave a comment down below for prices and shoe size availability if you would like to purchase .

Xoxo,

Style-Diversity