Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Slouchy Z Goes Geometric



Take one look at these photos of abayas from Slouchy Z and the immediate impression you get is a dark, moody, almost goth vibe. The styling especially caught my eye and held it, to say the least. The peach and black geometric look of the abaya above is a little romantic, a little art deco, and a lot modern. Worn with a black tee and leather leggings, it makes the look riveting and a little unexpected. Maryam Selaich certainly outdoes herself with these incredible pieces.
Not only does Maryam create a wonderful over sized artistic abaya, her talent extends to make even the most simple of abayas anything but. Take the grey and black one below- it's perfectly draped and belted with just enough lacy piping to keep it elegant and effortless. These pieces are to be worn with a confidence and an edge. Continue looking through all that Slouchy Z offers in the photos below and I dare you not to be enthralled with what you see!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway

Although some critics may have panned Marchesa’s last collection (although I must admit I loved it), designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig more than made up for it with this season’s 18th century Romanticism inspired runway show. To begin, this deep red overcoat with equestrian leanings ratcheted up the anticipation for the rest of the pieces to come.

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway 

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway 

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway 

Marchesa Fall 2013 | Runway 

Dark, moody and romantic in theme, this latest collection is perfect for Fall. Always theatrical in nature, the ladies of Marchesa sure know how to make a woman stand out and get noticed! A favorite of celebrities on the red carpet, these beautiful gowns are made for high profile events. Shades of red seem to be the standout color this autumn, but don’t let that detract from one of my favorite dresses from the show. That would be this gauzy, ethereal, tiered number embellished with colorful bits of embroidered flowers.

Do you have a favorite?

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Valentino Haute Couture 2013




Dresses in the Valentino Haute Couture show were covered in layers of crepe and tulle, ever so slightly voluminous and ethereal. In particular, the sheer gown above features a sensual mix of almost nude organza with an overlay of intricate red piping.  According to style.com, "it took 500 hours of hand-rolling to produce the piping. And that was just one of the outfits that featured the effect. One roller apparently developed carpal tunnel syndrome during the production of the collection." Old school classic pieces still walked the runway in the form of cape dresses and garden party dresses.


Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli created a magical show that entranced all those who witnessed it in person, or even later online. The craftsmanship and devotion really showed through. The ladylike, yet thoroughly modern gowns really stood on their own

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Designer Spotlight: Zeeshan Ali Adnan



 

Simplicity and elegance are what defines Zeeshan Ali Adnan Clothing. With a focus on modern abayas, the clothes themselves are still traditional at their core. Their signature embellished neckline comes to life in different forms. On one, a high neck is covered in small gold paillettes, and in another the bronze trimming slopes down the front in a long V, giving an almost bokeh feel to the dress. Lush fabric, perfectly pleated, give form to the lower skirt resulting in a unique and utterly femme aesthetic.

In one singular piece, a traditional collar is redone in a more avant garde design, coming up only halfway around the neck before connecting to the fluid fabric of the abaya. This subtle, yet imaginative play on classics are what take these pieces to a higher level of fashion. Taking classic silhouettes and reinventing them for a more modern audience, a Zeeshan Ali Adnan piece (or pieces) will complete your wardrobe!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

How to Wear a Slouchy’Z Abaya

How to Wear a Slouchy Z Couture Abaya

Sometimes pulling off a couture abaya can seem a little intimidating. I thought I’d show you how to style this particular Slouchy Z abaya. Although the abaya itself is covered in embellishments, it’s a little easier to pull off in that it’s all black. The voluminous arms are tempered by a belted waist, so the proportions are evened out. To wear a piece this strong I would go with simple styling so as not to seem overwhelmed.

With such a standout gown, keep everything else simple so as not to compete with the showstopper itself. I especially like a bold platform pump; and in black, it doesn’t take away from the abaya but subtly adds to it instead. Of course a signature red sole adds a bit of class to the whole ensemble. The model here is already wearing a pair of earrings, so just add a couple of dainty, simple gold rings to your fingers. Finish off the look with a fun art deco inspired clutch in gold and black, and the couture Slouchy Z abaya is now impeccably styled.
How would you style this abaya? What would you change to make it more “you”?

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Designer Spotlight: Slouchy'Z



With a focus on strong contemporary pieces, Slouchy'Z, the brainchild of Maryam Selaich is fast becoming a couture favorite. Known for their unique attention to detail, many of the most popular being a mixture of a more traditional Abaya with a patchwork of different fabrics and textures added for a different feel. These aren't your run of the mill everyday Abayas here, but instead are made for a certain type of woman- one who wants to stand out from the crowd in something uniquely created for her.




"We cannot deny that, as women, we love fashion and being able to show versatility in styles in the Arab world of today, but combining this with maintaining our tradition, is, in essence, what we try to achieve with our designs. It's all about blending high-fashion with traditional culture"
-Slouchy'Z designer, Maryam Selaich

Created much in the same way that art is, Slouchy'Z prides itself on the fashionable flair of their immensely popular Abayas. Combining tiered ruffles, voluminous sleeves and a tassel belt, their clothes are not for the feint of heart. A woman has to be able to carry off such a strong piece with confidence, poise and elegance, knowing she's wearing the most high end, quality, couture Abaya in the room. These modern cuts and couture details come together to form a fantastical mix of traditional and high end.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Effa Abaya design with half knitted and half tulle flower on the sleeve

Asymmetric multi texture abaya with half knitted and half tulle flower details on the sleeve. Elasticated waist and belt attached. Brought to you by Effa.