In one of the most exciting virtual fashion moments for high-street retailer Splash, the brand has launched a new website complete with enhanced features and a fashion blog. The site known as Splash Fashions is an expression of the brand, allowing customers from across the region to connect with the various aspects from heritage to events and to product.

Through the use of dynamic content the site becomes a place to engage, entertain and interact, as well as providing a unique platform for shoppers who want to explore the world of Splash and its fashion at a click. The website connects with a first time customer as well as a regular Splash shopper sharing all things new and inspiring and will be constantly buzzing with activity. With a regularly updated new blog added to the website, it features lifestyle and fashion tips to stay on top of the game and ideas on how to look your best, along with talking about the newest trends and hottest inspirations from across the fashion world.

Speaking on the new website, Mr. Raza Beig, CEO, Splash & ICONIC said, “The new website is another step into ‘A New Beginning’ of Splash and in sync with the paradigm of change we aim to create in 2012. As a high-street retailer we deliver the latest to customers and strengthen the brand’s reach digitally through our updated trends, collections, events and competitions on the site. In a bid to communicate further with an audience that loves splash, we have added a blog which is all and more about fashion, showing glimpses of life at Splash.”

So all you fashion-forward people log in for an interesting combination of content that revolves around brand, product, fashion shows, calendar launches, blogs and competitions, the new website is a fun way to know more and connect with Splash at all times.

Fashion Fair to Unveil Spring Collection of 29 Prominent Designers from Pakistan

Brands Just Pret, Pakistan’s newest multi-designer fashion house, is organizing Fashionville, a fashion trade event in Dubai showcasing the spring collection of 29 prominent designers from Pakistan, on 16th February 2012 (Thursday), at Modula Conceptio on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai from 11AM to 7PM. Fashion  aficionados from all over the UAE are expected to visit the one-day fair, which will display a wide range of high-end, luxurious but affordable prêt wear, jewelry and bags.

Shoppers visiting Fashionville will be assisted by a number of designers and professional stylist who will recommend trends and style related advice, free of charge, to help customers determine what is suitable for their body shape, budget, size and complexion.

Mr Hadi Anwar, CEO of Brands Just Pret said:  “Brands Just Pret is launching Fashionville in Dubai to create a suitable platform for Pakistani designers to showcase their collection and to accommodate the needs of our growing clientele from the UAE who have preference for independent multi-brand boutiques which carry small quantities and carefully chosen pieces.  We are delighted to have onboard an excellent line-up of designers who are known for producing high-end merchandise, complimenting the look and feel of Brands Just Pret.”

“Brands Just Pret will be opening a branch in the UAE before the end of the year and will also be launching a fully functional web store where clients from all over the world can shop,” added Mr Anwar.

The backbone of Brands Just Pret is its two Managing Directors, Ms Hasaah Hadi and Ms Somaya Adnan.  Ms Hadi has extensive background in Marketing, Human Resource and Finance which provides the required business foundation and strength to Brands Just Pret while actively planning Brands Just Pret’s fashion universe and expanse.

Meanwhile,  Ms Adnan  is known for being one half of the renowned ‘Ayesha – Somaya’ brand,  is a dynamic and versatile businesswoman who has managed to build her own retail trademark into an easily recognizable brand, bringing  this understanding of fashion retail to running Brands Just Pret.   She said, “Being a designer has helped me greatly in developing Brands Just Pret’s business model with Hadi and Hasaah. I myself have experienced the hurdles and nuisances when stocking at other places and this is why we have tried our best to tailor made Brands Just Pret into a model which is designer and customer friendly.”

Brands Just Pret’s impressive list of designers includes:

•Sara Shahid,  the designer behind Sublime and one of the pioneers of prêt in Pakistan
•Ayesha Khurram,  newcomer in the industry whose pop art embroidery motifs have become a fashion rage all over Pakistan
•Faiza Samee, the ‘brains’ behind Slate, one of the most recognizable and popular upcoming prêt brands
Other prominent names showcasing their fashion wares at Fashionville include Wardha, Bailin, Najma Zubair, Seema Jaffar, Usman Dittu, Nazrah Lodhi, Ayesha – Somaya, Zainab Sajid, Limited Editions, Hina Khan, Nazish Hussain, SNL, Zarmina, Farida Qureshi, Nida Ali, Naaj, Hejab Zafar, Flitz X, Amrah Khan and many more. 

Besides clothes, Brands Just Pret also stocks accessories and jewelry.   Naaj, a diamond jewelry brand, has designed an entire range of diamond jewelry solely for Brands Just Pret.  The store also has an exclusive line-up of shoes by Flitz X and bags and clutches by Limited Editions.

Shoppers who cannot attend Fashionville in Dubai can have another opportunity to see the luxurious merchandise when they organize the second edition of Fashionville in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 25th February 2012. For more details on the event, please send an email to info@brandsjustpret.com

Brands Just Pret recently opened its first store at Dolmen City Mall, Clifton in Karachi, Pakistan which is just one of a series of retail outlets which will be opened in the next few years.  

Dubai:  – It was standing room only last night when Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment, proudly hosted the elegant and exclusive Oriental Red Carpet Fashion. This event was sponsored by Gargash Enterprises and Malaysian Tourism – who are both devoted to the support and continuous development of local fashion talents in the UAE. The event had a large turnout and was attended by VIP guests, which included Mona Al Marri, Vice President of Dubai Ladies Club, as well as Dubai Ladies Club members.

The fashion show – which is a pioneering campaign aimed at promoting young emerging Emirati designers and advancing their careers through extensive media exposure and introductions to key local & international clientele – debuted the mini-collections of four talented Emirati designers for the first time. They were Sumayyah Al Suwaidi (Jalabiyas collection), Maryam Selaich (Abayas collection), Madeyya Al Mazrouei (Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collection). And Sultan Al Darmaki for his luxurious footwear designs. Each designer was selected based on their high level of creativity, marketability, workmanship, fabric suitability and overall appeal.

Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club commented: “We are pleased to host the Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show for a fourth consecutive year. Our core objective in hosting and organizing such a major event is to encourage young Emirati female entrepreneurs and designers and help them achieve their career objectives.”

On the occasion, said Wassim Derbi, Marketing Manager of Gargash Enterprises, said “Mercedes-Benz vehicles are known for their high performance but are also recognised for their innovative designs. Taking on that same spirit, Gargash Enterprises is supporting this fashion event which aims to nurture budding new designers.”

The connection between Mercedes-Benz and fashion has always been a strong one. Globally, Mercedes Benz is known for its association and support of the fashion world by lending its name to the Fashion Week events in such sartorial hotspots as New York and Milan. These stages are not only for the big names in business such as Donna Karan and Chanel but also to showcase up-and-coming talent.

The event began at 7.00pm when the designers made their glamorous Red Carpet entry in front of awaiting media and guests. Their arrival set the mood for the rest of the night.

The fashion show commenced with a brilliant runway presentation by Darmaki – a luxurious footwear couture brand created by the Emirati designer Sultan Al Darmaki. Its signature is truly inspirational designs, a wide range of exquisite materials and painstaking attention to detail.

Darmaki was followed by the first designer of the evening - Sumayyah Al Suwaidi - who presented her stunning collection of Jalabiyas that beautifully combined the charm of the East with the West. Next to present was Maryam Selaich with a luxurious collection of Abayas that demonstrated her flair for combining style, unique cuts and whimsy in a unique and everlasting fashion. The third and final collection was Madeyya Al Mazrouei with her Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collections that comprised of a charming and complex blend of fabrics and geometric cuts.

Galeries Lafayette, one of the region’s top retail outlets in Dubai, hosted the Crystal Holiday Fashion Show by Sartori Sartori, which was held at The Dubai Mall Galeries Lafayette Outdoor Arena with attendance of 100 VIP guests, fashionistas and entertainment connoisseurs.

The 25-minute show, held on 8th of December 2011, flaunted Sartori Sartori’s Victoriana inspired evening wear collection down the catwalk. The collection highlighted the austere tones of Harvard Crimson, Deep Carmine, Onyx, Midnight Blue, Deep Emerald Green and Oro. Traditional Bristish fabric blends of cashmere and wool were juxtaposed with luxurious pure silk and lace.

After the show, the guests were as well escorted in Connection Chauffers limousine to the Sartori Sartori private after party at N’DULGE, Atlantis The Palm.

Sponsors of the event are; Galeries Lafayette, N’DULGE Atlantis The Palm, Sphere Events, The Fridge, Connection Chauffeurs, The PR Professionals and Love Soni Jewelry.

Sartori Sartori fashion collections are available at Galeries Lafayette Department Store, The Dubai Mall.

Dubai:  – The countdown to the Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show on Thursday, 15 December, 2011 is well under way. Just days remain for ladies to obtain invitations for one of the most eagerly awaited fashion events in Dubai; organised by Dubai Ladies Club, a member of Dubai Women Establishment. This event has been sponsored by Gargash Enterprises and Malaysian Tourism; and supported by Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics, Ghraoui Chocolates and L’Officiel magazine.

The fashion show – which is a pioneering campaign aimed at promoting young emerging Emirati designers and advancing their careers through extensive media exposure and introductions to key local & international clientele – will debut the mini-collections of three talented Emirati designers for the first time. They are Sumayyah Al Suwaidi (Jalabiyas collection), Maryam Selaich (Abayas collection), Medeyya Al Mazrouei (Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collection). Each designer was selected based on their high level of creativity, marketability, workmanship, fabric suitability and overall appeal.

Moreover, Darmaki – luxurious footwear couture brand created by Emirati national Sultan Al Darmaki – will open the evening with their first-ever fashion show in Dubai. Darmaki combines artistic and cultural influences with the excellence of superior Italian manufacturing. Its signature is truly inspirational designs, a wide range of exquisite materials and painstaking attention to detail. Darmaki’s most significant achievement to date is the acquisition of one of it debut designs by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London to be housed as part of its permanent collection of significant footwear through the ages.

Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club said, “Dubai Ladies Club decided to launch The Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show as a valuable platform for local talents to increase their exposure. As the fourth installment of this event commences, we hope that once again this runway event will bring with it an introduction of designers to the forefront of the worldwide fashion scene, a sharing of press contacts and discussions on how to develop their careers.”

Each year, aspiring Emirati designers are nominated to rise to the challenge of conceiving ‘The Next Big Trend’ in Khaleeji fashion. The show is divided into four categories – Abayas, Jalabiyas, Haute Couture & Ready-to-Wear  - to go on to debut their collections at the Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show on Thursday, 15th December, 2011.

The Oriental Red Carpet Fashion Show has been a launch pad for a number of distinguished local fashion designers such as Hessa Al Falasi, Hanadi Badu, Moza Al Mazrou, Halima Al Sayegh, Mariam Al Mazrou, Fatima Al Hashimi, Athija Al Mazroui, Reem Beljafla, Fatima Al Qassimi and Fatima Al Tunaiji, who have gone on to accomplish even greater things.

Focussing on Emirati women’s overall development, Dubai Ladies Club has consistently promoted Emirati talents through a number of educational and career-oriented professional programmes to open avenues for women to channelize their strengths and contribute effectively to the social and economic progress of the UAE.

The show will begin at 7:00pm on Thursday, 15 December, 2011 in the Al Mahara Ballroom, Dubai Ladies Club. Each person attending the event will win surprise gifts at the end of the show. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Dubai Ladies Club, T: +971 4 349 9922, F: +971 4 349 9965, E: eventsteam@dubailadiesclub.com.

The grand finale of the “Get Ready to Party” Vero Moda’s global competition on Facebook has created history of sorts amongst the young Fashionistas in the UAE.

In one incredible evening, the Vero Moda store in The Dubai Mall rewarded Aline Lahoud, the UAE winner of “Get Ready to Party” and three of her friends with an absolute make over. As a prize she received an entire fashionable outfit from the latest party collection, while her friends were all rewarded with 50% off on the outfits they chose for the special evening.

Participants from Europe, Canada and the UAE took part in the global competition that was held simultaneously in different countries. Keeping in line with the launch of Vero Moda’s latest Party Campaign that screamed out its spirit “DRESS UP FOR THE LOVE OF IT”, the competition included answering of a key question followed by the participant’s choice of a Vero Moda store location to attend the “Get Ready to Party” event. Best of all, they could choose up to ten best friends to accompany them on the final day.

On the 9th of December, the winner and her friends walked into the Vero Moda store in The Dubai Mall for a total transformation before they left the store all glamorous and ready to party like never before.

They were all stylishly received with welcome drinks, shiny hats, masks, blow horns and light snacks. The party music that filled the store added to the fashionable ambience. The Vero Moda’s ‘in-store’ stylists soon took charge to offer the latest styling and fashion tips. Finally the girls underwent a complete makeover as Basma Masri, a professional makeup artist from B. Beautiful, added the finishing touches getting the girls ready for their big night out.

Alexa Chung appointed the new face for the brand

The cooler months are in, making way for the whirlwind party season. It is indeed the time update the wardrobe with the latest in fashion. Focusing on the universal love of young fashionable ladies to dress up stylishly for parties, Vero Moda launches the vibrant ‘Party Campaign’ featuring the hottest party attire of the season. Along with the new line up, Vero Moda also introduces style icon Alexa Chung as the new face of the brand.
 
The highly talented and fashionable cool 28-year old model, DJ and TV presenter, embodies qualities which inspire fashion conscious women all over the world. Her creativity, fashion sense and a talent for making individual styles work for her are keys to her presence on the best dressed list of international fashion communities. Signed to be the face of VERO MODA, the collaboration will hit the shops and streets all over the world from November 2011 to July 2012, making Alexa Chung the star of four VERO MODA campaigns.

Vero Moda’s new Party Campaign screams out its spirit “DRESS UP FOR THE LOVE OF IT” ushering in the glamorous colors of the season. In comes a multitude of party fashion statements in cool colors like Midnight Blue, Harvest Gold, Cerise, Gray Morn, Black, Latte and Vineyard Red.

All set for a magnificent launch on 8th November 2011, the all new Party Campaign will complement the latest party trends with Bright Zingy Colors; warm rich grenadine tones; the new 60’s, polka dots; modern color block look; glamorous vintage details; timeless star quality; high neck-lines and the chic High-low hemlines.

Alexa Chung appointed the new face for the brand

The cooler months are in, making way for the whirlwind party season. It is indeed the time update the wardrobe with the latest in fashion. Focusing on the universal love of young fashionable ladies to dress up stylishly for parties, Vero Moda launches the vibrant ‘Party Campaign’ featuring the hottest party attire of the season. Along with the new line up, Vero Moda also introduces style icon Alexa Chung as the new face of the brand.
 
The highly talented and fashionable cool 28-year old model, DJ and TV presenter, embodies qualities which inspire fashion conscious women all over the world. Her creativity, fashion sense and a talent for making individual styles work for her are keys to her presence on the best dressed list of international fashion communities. Signed to be the face of VERO MODA, the collaboration will hit the shops and streets all over the world from November 2011 to July 2012, making Alexa Chung the star of four VERO MODA campaigns.

Vero Moda’s new Party Campaign screams out its spirit “DRESS UP FOR THE LOVE OF IT” ushering in the glamorous colors of the season. In comes a multitude of party fashion statements in cool colors like Midnight Blue, Harvest Gold, Cerise, Gray Morn, Black, Latte and Vineyard Red.

All set for a magnificent launch on 8th November 2011, the all new Party Campaign will complement the latest party trends with Bright Zingy Colors; warm rich grenadine tones; the new 60’s, polka dots; modern color block look; glamorous vintage details; timeless star quality; high neck-lines and the chic High-low hemlines.

22 November, 2011

Amid an eager audience of fashion lovers and enthusiasts, young Emirati fashion designer Madeyya Al Mazrouei launched her Autumn/Winter Collection for 2011-2012 during the closing ceremony of the Berlin-Dubai Festival, recently held, at the Kempinski Hotel in Palm Jumeirah. Her new and exquisite line of fashion dazzled the crowd with its simple yet sophisticated pieces.

Models walked the runway in Mazrouei’s unique designs, with every masterpiece highlighting the genuine beauty and feminine charms of women. White was the predominant color on the catwalk, commingling the warmth of Arab culture with Western classicalism to suit the practical side of women. Mazrouei’s collection combined simplicity with elegance and sophistication with boldness, ably addressing the unique fashion sense of modern and high-profile Arab women.

A young and promising group of elite Emirati and German designers also participated in the Festival, grabbing the opportunity to introduce new ideas and themes and in the process strengthening their relations within a single event. The participation of Madeyya Mazrouei demonstrated the receptiveness and multicultural exchange between the Emirati and German people, unifying the two cultures through the world of fashion design.

The talented Emirati designer’s first step towards promoting her designs in the Gulf and throughout the rest of world was when she accepted an offer to display her own collection and innovations at a fashion boutique in Kuwait within less than two months. She later managed to open her own boutique in Jumeirah to showcase her latest designs.

The Goethe-Institut German Language Center recently organized the Second Berlin-Dubai Festival to ‘Explore Fashion and Creative Industry in Berlin and Dubai,’ focusing this year’s edition on fashion’s influence on culture and society.

Earlier this year Madeyya Al Mazrouei obtained a degree in fashion design from Esmod University. Throughout her studies she participated in several fashion shows organized by the Goethe-Institut. She was recently selected along with other lucky designers to participate in the Berlin-Dubai Festival. The contingent travelled to Berlin to get better acquainted with and benefit from the exchange of expertise with German fashion designers.

UAE, Dubai : Two of UAE boutique Mumbai Se’s most popular labels showcased their SS12 collections at Dubai Fashion Week, and impressed the fashion audience once again at the highly-anticipated event.  

Ekta Singh’s stunning catwalk show took place on Thursday (20 October) followed by UAE design duo Meher & Riddhima yesterday evening (Saturday 22 October).

Mumbai Se combines Indian fusion fashion with western influences and these two design labels, Ekta Singh and Meher & Riddhima, showcased their striking SS12 collections for the first time thanks to Mumbai Se.   

The talented designer, Ekta Singh, has been inspired by the Rubik’s Cube for her new collection, where the interplay of the cubes forming a colour parade has been reflected in her outfits. Ekta used colour block and solid brights in contrasting colours for the opening sequence of designs, which was followed by a series of feminine pieces using varying subtle shades right through to monochrome evening dresses.

Already a firm favourite among Dubai’s fashion elite, Meher Mirchandani and Riddhima Whabi were inspired by Claude Monet for their new collection. They used a refined and subtle colour palette of sky blue, peach, lilac and yellow to form the base to the collection, and red and purple to make dramatic statements on a number of designs.

Dubai Fashion Week (DFW) is a ‘By Invitation Only’ fashion trade event aimed at bringing together major advocates of the fashion design industry. It has positioned itself as the definitive destination in the Middle East for fashion designers to showcase their seasonal collections with the focus on building relationships, opportunities and growing the industry.