Designer Announcement: Balmain and H&M Call For #HMBalmaination

H&M just announced its autumn guest collaboration with the Parisian house of Balmain! A veritable bastion of French luxury, under the creative directorship of young Olivier Rousteing, Balmain has grown into a global pop-culture phenomenon. Last night, Rousteing himself and his friends Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn, walked the red carpet at The Billboard Music Awards revealing the first pieces of the collection. Through social media H&M and Balmain invited their fans to join a movement of togetherness with: #HMBalmaination.

“I want to talk to my generation: this is my main aim as a designer. H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain, getting a piece of the dream and creating a global #HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fuelled on a hashtag. The collaboration felt extremely natural to me: H&M is a brand that everybody connects to. It calls for unity, and I am all for it”, says Olivier Rousteing.

Available from November 5, in around 250 stores worldwide and online, the collection will feature clothing and accessories for both women and men.

Can’t wait for this one! x

Rtister Meets Joumana Soufi

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for a feature on Rtister.com, a global home for the savvy shopper who loves to own something contemporary, special, and unique. Based in London, Rtister nurtures and hones emerging designers and merges them with some of fashion’s most established names to create a global platform that showcases the very best in contemporary womenswear.

My feature is now available on Rtister, or you could check it out here! Don’t forget to shop a little and follow them on Instagram @Rtister

The Posh Fairy Goes Under Water

For as far as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with underwater photography. Maybe because it reflects a certain type of beauty that you don’t see everyday, and you definitely might not even know exists!

The work on this project was challenging as much as it was very exciting. I put the team together and was stuck looking for the photography equipment that we needed, rented some from a company and scheduled the shoot which had to be between 3 am and 9 am since the pool of Al Hamra Thermae would be open for members after that. The shoot was a while back so add to that, it was freezing! Unfortunately, Jalil and I weren’t happy with the results, and the shots were not a success. We had to stop, go home, and reschedule another early shoot. Meanwhile, look for better equipment.

About 3 weeks later, we were ready. With an excited team and killer equipment, we scheduled the shoot for the second time. Here’s a glimpse of what went on, and of course, the outcome.

– Art Director / Stylist: Joumana Soufi
– Photographer: Jalil Marvin
– Photography Equipment: TechSys Marine / AAB World
– Model : Sune Vantonder
– Makeup: Marvelous Makeup
– Location: Al Hamra Thermae

The Posh Fairy for H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection

I’ve worked with H&M Kuwait team a few times before to conceptualize and direct shoots for different collections last year. And this year, I had the pleasure of working with them again on the oh-so-hot conscious exclusive collection that has been making headlines all over the world, and it’s SO worth it. Here are the shots.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | STYLIST: Joumana Soufi @thesidetalk
PHOTOGRAPHER: Saleh Al Sanad @al_sanad
MODEL: JiaoJiao @jiaojiaoyao
WARDROBE: H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection @hm
HAIR: Aziza ‘Zizi’ Skaff – Blush Hair & Beauty Center @azizaskaff
MAKEUP: Amal Al Adwani @amal_makeupartist
LOCATION: Al Hamra Thermae @alhamra_thermae

When I Wore Sacoor Brothers

A couple of weeks ago, I was invited by Sacoor Bothers to visit the store and choose an item, or two, to take home. It was my first time at their store in 360 mall, and the variety of the collection surprised me. They carry women, men, and kids, and offer a great customizing service, and the comfort of personalized fit. Pure luxury without the staggering price tag. Coming to Kuwait straight from Portugal, these garments are made with the finest cotton and designed in style of amazing signature European cuts. The brand is the official suit supplier for FC Barcelona. Don’t you just love that? I do! And it also was spotted on celebrities like William Baldwin, Chris O’Donnell, Rob Lowe, and actors from Grey’s Anatomy donning the collections!

I got this refined shirt that comes with the cutest little buttons. I love small details, they make such a difference with classic pieces. I paired the shirt with NewLook denim and Zara heels. I picked the shirt in blue, but they had a big collection of colors in stripes and checks and also plain.

The other piece that I picked was this gorgeous dress that I fell in love with the minute I laid eye on! A pink shirt dress that looks so vintage-y, and comes with the cutest black bow belt to top it off! I felt like i was coming out of a 1960s movie wearing it. And I paired it with Ralph Lauren blue python heels.

I will definitely be adding this brand to my shopping destinations, for both me and the hubby (their men’s collection is super stylish and sharp). If you are looking for a piece to stand out in your outfit, or a gift for him that you can customize, you must pay a visit to their store in 360 mall, 1st floor.

H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection

I usually highly anticipate H&M’s designer collaborations, but this year, the H&M Conscious Exclusive collection is doing the job, keeping everyone around the world on their tip toes! Inspired by flamenco and bohemia, featuring embellishments, feminine silhouette and contrasting masculine details. Each piece is incredibly feminine, yet very powerful. I’m absolutely obsessed! The eco-fashion line is the brainchild of the Swedish retailer and eco-design think tank Ever Manifesto. The collection will hit stores on April 10, and will be available in 150 stores worldwide, including both H&M stores at the avenues. It will include items made of organic leather and silk, along with other sustainable materials. Make sure to drop by and get your hands on your favorite pieces. I know I will!

A Rising Supermodel: Hanaa Ben Abdesslem

Springing from revolutionist Tunisia onto Paris’s illustrious catwalks, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem exudes that elusive characteristic known as ‘IT’. She somehow defines everything that fashion relishes: exotic freshness, sinuous form and slightly serious demeanour. Defiantly different, Hanaa has independently shifted the beauty ideals across the Arab world and beyond.

With allure so evocative of the nineties supermodels and particularly reminiscent of the enigmatic Linda Evangelista, She reincarnates the era’s maximalism. Couture has never been worn with such great nonchalance!

Photos © MoDa’s Touch

Miranda Kerr for H&M Spring Summer 2014

The drop-down-gorgeous international supermodel Miranda Kerr have recently been announced the face of the H&M Spring Summer 2014 campaign. The Australian beauty manages to make everything look so good! I’m so excited for the news and I cant wait to see more of this amazing collaboration.

Bonobos Work Essentials Giveaway

The Bonobos Work Essentials Giveaway entry period begins on March 03, 2014, at 7:00am ET and ends on March 16, 2014 at 11:59 pm ET. Entries received during this time will be entered into a draw for a chance to win. The participation is open only to residents of the United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older, and have internet access and an active email account. You could enter for free online by accessing bonobos.com during the entry period and submitting your email address.

the “Work Essentials Giveaway” will be giving away over $3,000 worth of work clothing and accessories. This includes a suit from their Foundation Suit Collection, four dress shirts from their new collection and everything else you need to take your everyday style to the next level!

Win Your Spring Wardrobe Worth KD 400 with River Island!

To celebrate the launch of their fantastic new spring collection, River Island is giving 3 lucky customers the chance to win their spring wardrobe valued at KD 400!! What more could you ask for?

Just spend KD 40 in River Island and enter your details into the prize draw for your chance to win. There are even 5 runner up prizes of KD 40 gift cards too, so what are you waiting for? The offer starts on Feb 21 and ends on March 20, so don’t miss out – head down to your nearest River Island store now.