Isabel Marant for H&M

Start preparing your wish list, because the next fashion designer collaboration  for H&M is coming the next 14 November...this time with the French designer ISABEL MARANT!!!!

We have seen the past successes of H&M collaborations with designers like Versace, Marni, Lanvin and Stella McCartney, so from what I saw from the first images of Isabel Marant Collection It will not disappoint anyone.

The collection will feature both clothing and accessories for men and women with Marant's Parisian bohemian chic style, comfortable and effortless... Can't wait for it...

My wish list goes like this...

Poems from the Desert - Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Photo: the blue chic

Coming back from a weekend in Dubai, and with my flight sightly delayed had some extra time to spend on the library section of Dubai's Duty Free Airport...

It was a good opportunity to look for something interesting from a Emirati author and my eyes where dragged into this lovely book... "Poems from the Desert".

This poetry book is written by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai a very busy man, yet as you go trough the book you will find out a very sensible and simple man.

He choose the a old Bedouin form called Nabati poetry to express himself,  a style much appreciated and loved by Gulf Arabs since the 16th century. Nabati poetry is also known as "the people's poetry and compared to classical Arabic Poetry it is much more simple in composition by using a more direct expression with simplicity and spontaneity.

You will find beautiful simple poems written with delicate and poetic references to animals considered beautiful and elegant, elements form nature such as stars, moon, rain, sun that turns on your five senses transforming the reading into a journey of sensations...

While reading he's poems, I felt that you can design HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum portrait as a simple and romantic man with a deep sense of love for his family, passionate about life and with  a contemplative and reflective sense of his national responsibilities as a ruler.

A very interesting book that made me feel more curios about His Highness work as a poet and Nabati poetry. It's definitely something I will explore a little bit more.

Here one of the poems you can find in this book...

IN THE CLOUDS

In a cloud she appeared,
With a scent of beautiful roses.

Suffusing the entire world,
With her presence.

None can exceed her beauty,
It knows no limits.

So many have aced about her:
An antelope adorned with a necklace.

Her eyes captivated avery being,
Who witnessed them and dared to look.

Brought up among soul mates,
In the midst of glory and dignity.

O dear ones, please adorn her path,
With exquisite flowers.

A royal being, whose name is echoed,
By every adoring fawn.

Pink Crusade - Ralph Lauren

October is the month dedicated to the fight against cancer and Ralph Lauren is once again out with their  Pink Pony campaign.

Mr Lauren is known by taking leadership for the past 20 years in the fight against Breast Cancer and has been deeply commitment to find a cure for this terrible disease.

“Breast cancer is not just a woman’s issue it affects all of us – brothers, husbands, fathers, children and friends, Pink Pony is our effort in the fight against breast cancer.” Mr Ralph Lauren

In 2000, the iconic Polo Pony was designated as a symbol for the Pink Pony Campaign witch mission is to reduce disparities in cancer care in medically-served communities and ensure treatment is available at an earlier and more curable stage.

The collection is super cute with the great advantage of helping this great cause.... Check it out here and  be part of the Pink Crusade...

A Blessed EID al-Adha to all....

To all my Muslim friends and Muslims around the world... my best wishes for a blessed EID al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)! May God bless you with He's divine light and love...

If you are staying in Doha during the Eid break, don't think there's nothing much to do, in fact there are many events and celebrations going on during a week, so check it out here....

Hope you will enjoy the small Eid holiday break....I'm off to Japan!...

QELA - A new Fashion Style is born...

Finally... the long awaited launch of the luxury Qatari brand just happen few days ago under the name QELA by the hands of Qatar Luxury Group (QLG).

Together with the presentation of the brand also the inauguration of QELA's flagship store in The Pearl, Qatar.

From what I've seen... there is no doubt that we will be dazzled with the growing of a brand that will emerge and conquer a star spot in the luxury fashion global scene....

About Qela....one word...SUPERB! In love by the quality, style, elegance, sophistication and modernity translated in the simple classical lines of the collection. Absolutly beautiful and also in love by the stunning jewelry masterpieces...

"Qela speaks of fashion, but also of the history of the generations from which it has emerged. Qela speaks of time, of the passion and the patience required to master the century-old techniques of leatherwork, jewellery and couture. Qela encapsulates the dream of the traveller, the confidence born of ancient traditions and the contemporary vision of a free spirit open to Art and different cultures." Qela.com

It's already obvious that Qela has a soul, a clear identity inspired by the Arabic and Qatari culture that embodied the colors and the Desert landscape,Falconry, Desert roses, Arabic architecture all mixed together with the arab simple way of living. All this by hands of talented and renowned craftsmanships working the most exquisite and top line materials witch enforces Qela's commitment to deliver excellence in every little detail...

I'm sure we will see in the future a success story delivering many beautiful collections... Can't wait for more...

The Box Appeal....Small Box. Big Difference...

I came across The Box Appeal by chance...while going for dinner at Radisson Blu Hotel (the old Ramada) and immediately caught my attention...

The Box Appeal is a charity initiative run by Radisson Blu and Park Inn Hotels taking place in the UAE, Cairo, Beirute, Doha, Aqaba, Muscat and Bahrain.

Courtesy: Radisson Blu Doha

This fantastic campaign that I immediately embraced aims to help workers in the region given them a box with everyday essential items such as toothpaste, soap, T-shirt, deodorant...filling them with a big smile. And I'm sure it makes a big big difference for them.

Originally created in 2008 and formerly known as the Shoebox Appel, was re-named and re-branded by Dubai design agency North55 in 2011.

This campaign takes place every year from 1st of September until 31st October.

It's very easy to participate and to embrace this cause, you just need to pick up your box or boxes directly from Radisson Blu Hotel and fill them with the items on the shopping list. And off course all the items should be new and unused and no food or money are allowed in this campaign.

Photo: the blue chic

Photo: the blue chic

Some of the Pick Up points you can find in the region:

Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Media City

Radsson Blu Hotel Dubai Marina

Radisson Blu Hotel Deira Creek

Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Downtown

Radisson Royal Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road

Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah

Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah

Park Inn Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Additional pick-up points in the UAE are Radio 1 & 2 studios near Safa Park.

Radisson Blu Heliopolis Cairo

The Diplomat Radisson Blu Bahrain

Radisson Blu Doha

Photo: the blue chic

My 10 boxes are ready to go...Join the campaign and go and get some boxes to! It's a small help that makes a big difference for those who have very little...