2015 Fashion Graduate Roberta Einer Killing The Fashion Game

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

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Ever wondered how you get from your grad collection to launching your own line at London Fashion Week? Today, Westminster graduate and womenswear designer Roberta Einer presented her debut SS16 collection as part of the last day of LFW.

The 23-year-old grad has already got a stellar CV behind her that includes several internships with some mega creatives (Mary Katrantzou, McQueen, Roksanda Ilincic and Claire Barrow), plus some design-defining experience working as a print and embroidery assistant at Balmain in Paris, before finishing up her degree this year. She tells us: ‘I went to Balmain with a minimal aesthetic. Olivier Rousteing always said, “It’s clothes, just have fun.” Now I experiment more.’

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So what makes her designs stand out? Epic hand embroidery + beautiful embellishment + fun factor to create textured heavyweight masterpieces in bubblegum shades with all-over beading, pile-’em-on sequins and racks of ribbon. Think mermaid vibes mixed with a cheerleading squad from Clueless.

But what’s it like prepping for your first solo show? We got Roberta to share a few BTS snaps for a (very sparkly) sneak peek, and then popped down to the Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street to check it out…

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Ready for the close-up! Roberta says: ‘I see always see the texture and the weight of things first.’ Hello all-over bead work, pile-’em-on sequins, and racks of ribbon. 🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

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‘I figure out all the graphics on the computer, it needs to be on a scale of 1mm to be right for the embroiderers. This hand-embroidered gown made out of 15 metres of fabric is a real dream dress and probably my favourite piece I have ever done! SO EXCITED.’

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The collection? Cute as candy. The dreamy delicate, sheer embroidered dresses styled with black tied chokers…

 

Tell us what you think about this new designer collection, we think her collection is fun and fancy!

Karmuel Young Revolutionizing Men’s Footwear

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

MINIMAL TWISTS TO MODERN STYLE

 

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Unlike the dizzying, drastic changes often found in women’s fashion, menswear moves at a glacial pace. Its evolution, for the most part, is measured in small increments and consists of small shifts in silhouette, fabric or detail rather than radical reinventions. It’s only fitting, then, that Karmuel Young’s “revolutionary products” for men consist of little more than shoelaces and shoe cuffs — simple items that transform “regular and easily forgotten details into unconventional possibilities.”

 

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Titled Dress Shoe Reform, the debut project from the Hong Kong-based design label was intended to add value to existing daily items — in this case, footwear — while challenging our ideas of what a menswear reformation should be. Each item was designed with clean lines and architectural forms, and was made with fine materials like Italian calf leather, mink or waxed cotton cord. Adding minimal twists to modern style, the collection of shoe accessories comes in a variety of colors, textures and patterns, and provide a wonderfully simple way of injecting personality and longevity to the footwear you already own.

 

Reblogged from: http://www.obscura-magazine.com

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana and the Muslim market

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

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Dolce & Gabbana is the latest brand to target Muslim shoppers, introducing a line of hijabs and abayas.

With floral prints, lacy patterns and the occasional pop of color, the Italian fashion house put its own twist on the usually dark-colored cloaks and matching head scarves traditionally worn by Muslim women.

The new collection “is a reverie amidst the desert dunes and skies of the Middle East: an enchanting visual story about the grace and beauty of the marvelous women of Arabia,” Dolce & Gabbana wrote on its Instagram page.

The company is hardly the first to tap into the Muslim market — H&M featured a hijab-wearing model in a recent ad, and Tommy Hilfiger, DKNY and Mango are among the brands that have launched Ramadan collections.

It’s an increasingly smart business move, as Muslim customers spent $230 billion globally on clothing in 2014, and it’s predicted that figure will rise to $327 billion in 2020, according to a report from Dinar Standard, a market research firm.

Melanie Elturk, CEO of Haute Hijab, told TODAY she’s excited that companies are finally wising up to the fact that Muslim women have money to spend, especially ones who wear hijabs and abayas. “That’s their entire wardrobe!” she said. “They don’t have a plethora of jeans and tops and sweaters.”

While she allows that companies like Dolce & Gabbana might simply be trying to infiltrate a lucrative market, as opposed to making a political statement, she’s still “ecstatic” to see brands post photos of presumably Muslim models.

“Just to see a model in full hijab and an abaya is remarkable,” she said. “It’s something I truly never thought I would see.”

But she warns companies have to be careful about catering to traditional Muslim women.

“This market is so nuanced and deeply rooted in faith that if you get one thing wrong in an ad or with the imagery, you can completely miss the mark,” Elturk said, pointing out that part of a model’s leg is visible in one of the Dolce & Gabbana images, which defeats the purpose of wearing the abaya.

While pieces from Dolce & Gabbana’s new collection are likely to be priced well into the thousands, there are plenty of brands making fashionable hijabs for affordable prices, like Elturk’s own Haute Hijab, Inayah or even Etsy, where prices start around $10.

 

 

Reblogged from : http://www.today.com

Thaqafah teaser

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

Shall we give you a glimpse at what’s to come? Hmmmm…..let’s see

So as I was thinking of what styles should be included in our Thaqafah collections, I thought of all the bright countries in the world with wonderful colorful market places and bazaars.

Morocco popped in my head, so I started to look closely at their beautiful slippers, and then I came across these beauties of the 1970’s from a couple of vintage sellers on Etsy

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Aren’t they just gorge! The detail and craftsmanship is just amazing on these beauties. In the sample bag they go,to be taken to the artisans to recreate.

Busting out!

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

It’s been a long 2014 and dreams have come true and others grew.

We are proud to announce our very own private footwear label……Thaqafah. Thaqafah means culture in the Arabic language, and was created by myself owner of Sole Shoe Boutique , Ruqayyah Amrikeeyah.

The brand will be dishing out handmade shoes from across the globe. All leather shoes from start to finish, made by talented artisans from Far East, inspired by traditional style but modern appeal.

After being in shoe business for so many years, and growing up in a shoe loving family of women, eventually creating a collection of my own was a no brainer. My lovely mother had been trying to get me to actually learn how to make shoes. But of course that was just not feasible.

So, we decided to take an approach to the footwear world ,that would be unique, trendy,exciting, colorful, comfortable and most importantly affordable.

We present to you……………

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Follow us on the Instagram @thaqafah_shoes and come along for the ride.

Styling with Sonia Rykiel and Seychelles

Posted on by Umm Ziyaad

We are totally loving our New arrival heart pumps by Seychelles , these cuties can be worn casually or formally depending on how you style them, but we decided to pair them with some designer denim and a colorful color blocked Sonia Rykiel sweater and an orange Ellington leather crossbody bag……….. Hope you enjoy

Pumps: Seychelles shop now at http://www.shoesolesboutique.com

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