Event Coverage: The Launch of KENZO FW14 – Hosted by The Side Talk

A few weeks ago I was approached by KENZO team in Kuwait to host their FW14 collection launch event. The preperations started almost immediately after; Save the date, event agenda, set up, and invites were sent out to around 300 of Kuwait’s bloggers, socialites, and fashion lovers. Of course, I was going to wear KENZO for the event and what’s better than Pre Fall 14! I picked up my outfit from KENZO store at The Avenues, phase two, a few days before the event, and I just loved it. Here’s an over all shot of my look, but I will be writing a detailed outfit post within couple of days.

On the event day people started arriving just on time, It was great seeing everyone so dressed up and absolutely glamorous. It was also a chance to meet some of the people I know only through social media and haven’t met in person yet. Everyone was dolled up, and dressed definitely to impress. The collection got amazing reviews, and everybody was in love with the bold colors and patters. They started shopping right then and there. The ambiance was perfectly set by DJ Nasque’s electric mixes, the ladies enjoyed the coolest personalized nail designs by Nail Station, and the crowd indulged in american-styled catering, while lots and lots of photos were being taken in the store and on the mystery photocall’s sloping floor, and uploaded live onto instagram under #KrazyforKenzo.

Now talking about the KENZO FW14 collection; It explores a world of mystery inspired by David Lynch; who has proven to be one of the most interesting and insightful directors, artists, and musicians of our time. His imagination and ingenuity can stimulate forgotten emotions through his canny use of whatever medium he chooses. The pieces have portrayed love, revenge, the strange, and the mysterious with equal candor.

The silhouettes hold contrasts in volume, and everything is amplified. Lean and tall, or high-waisted and exaggerated, the structure remains resolutely, ultra-feminine. Collars are reinterpreted, blown up, and tied around the waist as nonchalantly and intimately as the appropriation of a mans coat.

You’ll find yourself in a world of fox fur in ‘Wild Lula Lime’, ‘Laura Lilac’, and ‘Midnight Dorothy’ transform with detachable paneling. Lacquered twill jackets in flame inject fire colors to the palette. Skirts and dresses with shaved kangaroo are paired and layered with cross coats and embroidered and shredded organza. Foiled mohair grosgrain ribbons appear as belts and as inserts on trousers.

Prints this season come in wrapped versions of habitual vistas, the David Lynch herring-bone flooring and reflections of a mountain in shattered glass. A layered organza adds a 3D effect to skirts and tops. Sweaters feature high definition tryptic embroidery and metallic foiling.

Project X: The Bloggers’ Cooking Competition

Remember Project X?! The amateur cooking competition that was exclusively designed for the bloggers and social media members in Kuwait, and of which I was lucky to be a member. The videos documenting the first 2 days of the competition are finally out! and it brought back a lot of fun memories! Check them out, and stay updated for the competition finale videos.

Shoebox NY: Mother’s Day Special

Flowers, check. Chocolate, check. Dinner, check. If this is what you’re doing for your mother on Mother’s Day, then you have become too predictable. Strut the extra mile and get a stylish gift for your mother this Mother’s Day and this year we’re all about the shoes.

Some say that shoes are the window to your sole (no pun intended) and we agree. We have put together a quick and simple fashion-guide to help you choose the best shoes for your mother this Mother’s Day, based on her lifestyle.

For your career-driven, working mother

This woman is not phased one bit juggling a million tasks, going for business meetings and solving world crises, and even if she’s going to get her hands dirty, she’d prefer doing it flaunting a pair of shiny, black pointy stilettos.

A career-driven mother ultimately means her preferred style would be graceful and functional and her shoes should reflect just that.

Look for dark colors or darker shades with minimalistic designs. The best colors are black, browns and greys with a simple cut to best match her entire professional attire.

Try to avoid shoes that are four-inches or higher as that might get her flustered. Stick to heels that are between one to three inches, as that will give her the fabulously poised posture she needs without affecting her ability to move around.

The ideal shoe is “Danielle” in black from “Sam Edelman” and can be found in all ShoeBox NY stores across Kuwait.

For your stay-at-home, queen mother

This woman dedicates every living minute to cater to the needs of her home and her loved ones. That being said, the ‘social butterfly’ in her flies out once in a while, sipping a warm cup of coffee and enjoying a few laughs with her lady friends.

A stay-at-home mother usually wants to be comfortable, while making a statement. If this is your mother, then don’t be afraid to go for a little flair in color or even a little embellishment, more often than not, your queen bee will be daring enough to wear diamonds in clear daylight.

Go for an embellished wedge! Wedges are wonderful shoes to provide her with a little added height, while keeping her grounded. The shape of the wedge is perfect to elongate her legs to give it that slender and feminine look that she most definitely desires.

The ideal shoe is “Peter” in toasted mauve from “BCBGeneration” and can be found in all ShoeBox NY stores across Kuwait.

For your on-the-go, active mother

This woman enjoys the thrill of being in high-spirits and prefers to occupy herself with activities, charging away day and night to get things done for the home and loved ones. If this is your mother, then you know her high heels are stacked away for important occasions. Yet this woman knows how to fashionably pull-off colorful flats and ballerinas.

It is best to go for closed-toed flats with a pointed front with dual or more clashing colors. These two features will provide a modern, yet sophisticated look for her age that will make up for the lack of heels and embellishment.

Best to choose between “Baca” from “Dolce Vita” or “Toker” from “Vince Camuto” both found in all ShoeBox NY stores across Kuwait.

Want to check out these shoes and more, follow ShoeBox NY Kuwait on:
Twitter: @ShoeBoxNYKuwait
Instagram: @shoeboxnykuwait

Support #Pumps4Kids @BSCorg

Businesses Supporting Charities (BSC), a non-profit organization, advocating great causes & initiatives to help raise awareness in our community by bridging the gap between businesses and charities/causes to ensure that help is provided to people in need.

BSC’s current initiative was teaming up with Kuwait Red Crescent Society & Dasman Diabetes Institute for the first campaign raising awareness, donations, and funds for insulin pumps needed for children with Type I diabetes in Kuwait – the campaign created a hashtag #pumps4kids for discussion and support.

How can you support? Spread the word to your family and friends, follow the discussions #pumps4kids, engage, retweet, broadcast, and donate even if with the smallest amount (KD 1) by sending a text message to your local network provider (Send D to 99935 if you’re a Zain user, or D to 1922 if you’re a Wataniya user).

For more, follow them on Twitter @BSCorg – Instagram @bscorgkw – Discussion #pumps4kids – http://kuwait.bsc.org/

Anna Dello Russo For H&M!

Legendary fashion icon Anna Dello Russo has teamed up with H&M to design a unique accessories collection that will be sold at their stores world-wide! The daring and edgy fashion idol and Fashion Director of Japanese Vogue, will launch a line of accessories this upcoming fall. The collection will be launched in 140 H&M stores as well as online on october 4th, during the peak of the global fashion weeks tour, and will include jewellery, sunglasses, shoes, bags, and a suitcase!

This is BY FAR the designer collaboration collection I’m dying to put my hands on! Can NOT wait!

Zoya Mylar Holographic Flake Top Coats

I love anything to do with nails! It’s the best quality time for me when I’m being pampered at a nail spa and leaving there with gorgeous looking tips too! I stumbled upon this new collection from Zoya and LOVED it! the Fleck Effect Mylar Holographic Flake Top Coats, just check out what it does to any color! Shop it @Beauty Bar.

Versace For H&M This November!

The new H&M Designer collaboration will be: VERSACE for H&M!! The collection will be available from November 17th 2011, in 300 stores around the world, including here in K-town, as well as on-line. This glamorous rock’n roll collection will feature iconic Versace pieces for both women and men, in gold, leather and colorful prints..There will be some belts, jewelry, and even a few Home cushions and bed linen.

Here’s a sneak peek of the collection..Can’t waiiiiiit! 😀

The Royal Wedding Dress

Catherine Middleton’s Wedding Dress has been designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen..The wonderful fabrics are French Chantilly lace which was combined with English Cluny lace to be hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition.

Sneak Peak: Katie Holmes – ELLE February 2011 Cover

Katie Holmes strikes a few flirtatious and sexy poses on the February cover of Elle. She’s been ramping up for a busy 2011, which will include juggling her fashion line, traveling with Tom Cruise and their family, starring in two films, and portraying Jackie O in the History Channel’s upcoming miniseries The Kennedys. Inside the magazine she shares what it’s like to play the role of an American icon and how she prepared herself emotionally for the role. Of course, an interview with the actress wouldn’t be complete without a few anecdotal stories about her fashionable daughter, Suri…Elle issue will be on stands January 18.

By ELLE

Queen Rania Visits K-Town for Education Awareness

Arab Woman Forum held a charity event Tuesday to support the initiative of Palestine Schools, attended by Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan…and Head of the Honorary Delegation and Chairwoman of the Voluntary Work Center Sheikha Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

At the opening speech, Queen Rania appreciated endeavors of the Kuwaiti women in fields of education and labor, as well as improving education in occupied Jerusalem.
She said the Schools of Palestine were launched last April and the Arab Woman Forum was also created to support the two schools “and to make the biggest change in the shortest possible time.” Queen Rania called for supporting the Palestinian people in providing good education to confront future challenges.

She said she knew very well that Kuwaitis, men and women, appreciated importance of education “and this is how I was raised in Kuwait and its schools.

“I lived in a country (Kuwait) keen on providing quality education for its youth…therefore you are the best to know the meaning of depriving children from their basic needs…You see how dreams and ambitions of your children grow hand in hand with education development…,” she added.

She said she was looking forward to living up to “our responsibilities towards Al-Quds and its people… because the identity of Al-Quds is the responsibility of every Arab and every Muslim.”

The Queen has recently launched Madrasati Palestine Organization, which is led by Her Majesty, and uses the same approach as Madrasati Jordan. Madrasati Palestine will begin renovating schools, under the auspices of the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in East Jerusalem. Educational programs designed to enrich children, will also be provided.

It’s important to mention that Palestine faces overwhelming social and economic challenges: high levels of poverty and unemployment, especially among young people and a rapidly expanding population. Education, a highly prized asset in Palestine, is, inevitably, declining in quality. There are 100,000 more out of school children today than there were ten years ago. About 94,000 school age Palestinian children live in East Jerusalem, an impoverished area where school drop-out rates are higher than other parts of the city, and many children do not attend school.

Madrasati Palestine Organization Link