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ba&sh X Ana Heart Yoga

Posted on May 10, 2018

Parisian brand ba&sh are famed for their city-cool collections and fresh yet modern designs, adding a twist to your active wear for the second time with their latest Ana Heart capsule yoga collection. Making our mat’s look pretty with a feminine, pattern-free, contemporary approach for the city yogi who doesn’t want to make a fashion statement, but wants quality and style too.

The mantra: no rules, except those you make for yourself.

Ba&sh is the result of a shared love of fashion, led best friends Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief. Bringing their dream wardrobe to life so that they could share it with other women. A brand truly made by women for women. Loved worldwide, they are now helping to bring the French expression of freedom, modernity and a joyful elegance to our shores down at Citywalk 2.

This is yoga, but with a bit of sarcasm. Athleisure too, these pieces are too good to be kept in a drawer, designed to be worn both inside and outside the studio. You just feel good in it too, it’s flattering, flirty and can even be worn to work. And you can sweat in in more importantly.

Check out a few of my favourites from capsule collection here:

fashion

Elena Makri Mykonos Swimwear

Posted on April 17, 2018

Grecian resort wear inspired by the myths of Mykonos that’s too good to get wet… almost. Elena Makri Mykonos swimwear and resortwear has officially landed in the Middle East and is exclusive to our favourite shopping hotspot, Harvey Nichols – Dubai.

Whilst Mykonos is a more familiar island, it’s actually Delos that originally caught the attention of designer and former editor-in-chief of Vogue Greece, Elena Makri. Delos is located just a few miles away from the more cosmopolitan Mykonos, near the centre of the Cyclades archipelago and is one of the most important, archeologically speaking, in Greece.

Ancient Greece and its mythological narratives are seeing a real revival through films such as Wonder Woman, brands like Ancient Greek Sandals, and there are plenty more treasures of the glory of the Greek civilisation, to be revealed in the Aegean Sea. Elena Makri, as a designer and habitant, is drawn to the legends of the land; the beauty of its artistry and the simplistic luxury of the fashions of this age old world.

Her collection draws on the almost modern expertise and craftsmanship displayed in the ancient murals and statues, ensuring each of her pieces are handcrafted and organic, paying real attention to the functionality of the finer details, such as gilded broaches and necklaces, to ensure the the adornments are perfectly capable of being worn over and over again.

What will you be wearing in Mykonos this summer?

Dima Ayad X Hautletic Reinventing Athleisure

Posted on March 11, 2018

It’s a fairly new debate but one without a real answer – can you wear workout gear to work? Some of the athleisure pieces i own are without a doubt much more expensive than the skirts and tops hanging in the wardrobe, as well as remaining ‘un-used’ gym wise. Hautletic is the hub for most of these luxe pieces and there’s a new homegrown collab that’s stealing the show. Lebanese ready-to-wear designer Dima Ayad and Hautletic’s Priya Bhatia have launched a completely limited-edition range that’s definitely too good for the workout drawer.

A nine-piece collection in the Dima Ayad x Hautletic range celebrates female ingenuity; ‘blending Hautletic’s signature athleisure style with Dima Ayad’s precise understanding of the modern woman’s lifestyle’. It’s the kind of sports gear you could wear into a bar and not feel at all underdressed.

Enter a world of minimals, with abundant greys and blacks mixed with Ayad’s signature seasonal metallics. The floaty shapes are far from unflattering as they cinch in the waist and elongate the legs, whilst giving you a bit of wiggle room too. Picture the perfect ‘tracksuit,’ whilst being being as far from cliche as possible.

“I thought about the journey of the modern woman – from the day to the night. I want her to feel great from the morning to the evening without trying,” Dima Ayad, Designer

“It’s also about the value and versatility of the pieces you invest in. Quality and fit are paramount, even for seemingly ‘easy-wear’ athleisure.” Priya Bhatia, Hautletic

Get your hands on this urban wardrobe only at Hautletic in Galleria Mall, Dubai.

fashion

Winter Fashion Guide – by Claire Hastings

Posted on January 20, 2018

Winter is a tough fashion customer that is very hard to please. You want to remain stylish as ever, be able to finish work and head out for drinks without having to go home and change before heading out again, and accomplish all of that without freezing. There are of course holidays with family to take into account and all the appropriate outfits to plan, and let us not forget about all those parties and perhaps even quick holiday getaways. Indeed, winter is tricky to maneuver, but that’s why we’re here. To make outfit planning easier so your style never has to give up in the face of harsh weather and multiple events and special occasions.

Photo by Frank Flores on Unsplash

Casual Saturday’s
The probability that there are people who don’t live for those wonderful strolls on Saturday afternoons is incredibly low. We all long for that time when the work week is behind us and Monday seems so far away. The perfect outfit for hopping around the town has to consist of a great pair of straight leg, dark-wash jeans that hug your body just right, a cozy turtleneck sweater (so you don’t have to bother with a scarf), a grey coat and a great crossbody bag that leaves the hands free to hold those takeaway coffees or snapping photos. Of course, even casual Saturdays deserve an extra dose of chic, and that can be best accomplished with an amazing pair of embroidered ankle boots that have the ability to elevate any given outfit, but are still comfy enough to spend an entire afternoon in.

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash

High-style Office Attire
One of the best things to strut down this year’s runways is the plaid trend. Plaid has always been associated with professionalism, but unlike the ‘work uniforms’ of yore, designers made it their goal to create plaid-patterned garments that contain the perfect mix of playfulness and office appropriateness. This month put those high-rise pants (Tome) in a pungent yellow plaid pattern to work. You can mix them with a classic black button-down or a simple blouse and a fitted blazer and what you get is an outfit that looks amazing in office light but that can easily be taken for drinks afterwards.

Photo by Pete Bellis on Unsplash

A Quick Getaway
If you live in the part of the world where January means low temps and gloomy skies, the holidays might just be the perfect time to make a break for it and head somewhere warm and breezy. Of course, for this venture, you’ll need to turn up the heat in your suitcase as well, and aside from the pastel swimsuits that will be dominating next summer, make sure you pack only the finest designer resort wear – beach kaftans, luxurious robes, large hats and stylish beach totes. Going away gives you a chance to put your best summer look forward and escape the cold reality if even just for a long weekend.

Photo by Eduard Militaru on Unsplash

If, on the other hand, you’re the type who spends holidays with family, that requires an entirely different attire. Now, there are two ways to go about this. If you have the kind of family who nurtures the tradition of wearing ugly sweaters – well, you will have to go shopping for one. Regular jeans will do the job for the rest of the outfit and as far as the sweater goes, well, there are virtually hundreds of them so just take your pick and if it has to be ugly at least wear it ironically. The other way is of course, the classy way, and this year the chicest family-time appropriate outfit has to be a dark floral dress. As the floral trend has experienced a rebirth of a sort and thanks to the murkier shades it’s no longer reserved for summers only, a long-sleeve long floral dress will look wonderful on those family portraits.

Photo by Arthur Yao on Unsplash

My Girl Wants To Party All The Time
If you don’t go to at least one wild party, it’s like the holidays never happened. Now, for several years the traditional winter party uniform has been a glittery sequin dress in every shade possible. Now things are a tad more subtle so instead of going out full disco-ball mode, opt for something slightly more understated and chicer. You can still get your glam on, but choose your battles. The best way to go is with a gorgeous white or black lace dress, (the cut is up to you) and complete the look with a gorgeous silver or gold sequin blazer. Add some glitter on the eyes, and put that red lipstick to use. You’re ready to be the classiest dancing queen there is.

Follow Claire here!

fashion

6 Aussie Swimwear Trends for 2018

Posted on January 13, 2018

It may seem too soon to look into swimwear trends during the colder months of 2018, but if you want to make the most out of your beach look for the upcoming beach season, there’s no better place to look than Australian beaches. After all, summer and beach season are at their highest peak at the Aussie shores at this moment. Thanks to the different change of seasons in The Land Down Under, you can always rely on fashionable Aussies to set summer trends for the rest of the world to follow for 2018.

Crop top swimsuits

Photo by Remi Bedora on Unsplash

Regardless of your preferred pattern and color, or the shape of the swimsuit bottom, a crop-top for the top bit of a swimsuit is definitely very popular at Australian beaches. And, thanks to the various styles that you can find of a crop-top swimwear option, you can create different looks, from sporty and chic to girly, gentle and romantic. Of course, make sure that you get the best size for you and even look into different sizes when it comes to bottoms and tops of the same swimsuit since a crop-top can look a bit unflattering if it doesn’t fit you perfectly.

Boho patterns, frills and tassels

Photo by Courtney Clayton on Unsplash

It doesn’t matter what cut of a swimsuit you prefer – if your go-to style involves boho vibe, you’re in luck, so far in 2018, Australian beaches are filled with colors, frills and tassels that would make any boho-lover truly excited for the beach time. If this is something that sounds promising to you, definitely check out the Camilla brand of swimsuits, known for its amazing boho swimwear designs.

Sporty yet elegant

Photo by Lua Valentia on Unsplash

Sporty bikinis and one-piece swimsuits that feel elegant yet gentle at the same time are also really popular this swim season in Australia. Essentially, the “effortless” yet comfy look of these swimsuits allow you to express your personality. Also, you will draw attention to the best aspects of your beach body since they are so minimal yet flatteringly cut. In case this sounds like your cup of tea, you should definitely check out the amazing White Fox Boutique swimwear.

Girly and earthy

Photo by Mickael Gresset on Unsplash

Girly and earthy are the attributes that best describe the popular fashion street style called Mori girl. So, if you’re a fan of that particular style, there’s no doubt that you will find a perfect swimsuit for you among the many choices Peony Swimwear has to offer.

Retro-style swimsuits

Photo by GREG KANTRA on Unsplash

Retro-inspired swimsuits with high-waisted bottoms are still at the top of the trend list when it comes to popular swimwear this beach season. However, every new season brings something new when it comes to the timeless cuts and designs. This year, while the high-waisted trend remains, there’s more interest added with prints, knots and straps. Also, you can easily find tops that pair with high-waisted bottoms but that still combine some other styles like a crop-top or a traditional bikini. In that respect, you have endless possibilities to showcase your personal taste and look your best at the beach.

One-piece swimsuits

Photo by Ana Pavlyuk on Unsplash

A One-piece swimsuit will always be a classic but if you want to make an unforgettable impact on the beach, you just have to take a look at the confident Aussie ladies and the way they can make the classic one-piece more daring and fashionable. Really deep cuts at the front, one-shoulder pieces, straps as an accent detail as well as one-piece swimsuits with long sleeves will not only make you look fabulous but help you make a true fashion statement as well.

These days, fashion is all about wearing your personality freely and openly. This aspect is definitely becoming a part of swimwear trends as well. Just because there’s not a lot of fabric to work with doesn’t mean that you can’t create an incredibly personal beach look that will highlight your best features as well as your individuality. You can trust Aussie ladies on that.

fashion

OHOY: Swimming in Plastic

Posted on December 7, 2017

Founded by locally based Scandinavians Henna and Anna, OHOY is the uber chic and ethical solution to our summer’s, created with the ocean in mind. Their one-pieces boasting the hottest SS18 shades are on our wishlist this season, as we salute these ladies for their environmentally friendly approach to our favourite piece of clothing.

Famed for their intentional simplicity and feminine yet modern lines, we are looking North for our latest fashion fix, as the Scandinavian’s are some of the most sought after designers around right now.

All OHOY products are produced from plastic and fishing nets collected from the sea & recycled into luxurious Italian fabrics and to top it off… made here in the U.A.E..

Tested in real-life conditions and leading the way in terms of material too, as they are twice as resistant to chlorine, sun creams and oils, when compared with other fabrics.

fashion

Bedouin Studios X Houndsditch

Posted on November 25, 2017

It’s great that locally based brands are taking the #PLASTICfreeSEA ethos seriously. Andraya Farrag of homegrown brand BEDOUIN just took a jump into the world of swimwear, launching in collaboration with Lisbon-based, London-born brand, Houndsditch for SS18.

Houndsditch is an environmentally friendly brand that produces their collections using post-consumer recycled materials, including plastics that would otherwise end up otherwise polluting the oceans.

“I wanted to make buying swimwear as fun as wearing it,” says Andrew Young, founder of Houndsditch.

Their gorgeous hand designed prints, with exotic hints of flora and fauna are processed into fabrics, which are then used to make the custom-made pieces. Houndsditch’s production line is predominantly made to order, which helps to further minimize fabric wastage – a relatively new concept for the conscious consumers, but one which is making a mark.

“I couldn’t wait to join forces [with Houndstich] and create a capsule collection of swimwear that perfectly compliment and co-exist with the BEDOUIN SS18 RTW collection.” Farrag of Bedouin

Designed to be mix and matched with the ready to wear collection, the Bedouin swimwear boasts an overarching Cuban theme, whilst also influenced by the elements.

Exuding cool tones of white, wheat, shades of pink, green warmed up occasionally with a hint of orange and contrasted by black. Leopard, beetles, moths and fantastical foliage are interwoven into an array of multi-colored prints.

*Cover image shot poolside at Vida Downtown*

fashion

The Biggest Beach Trends from International Fashion Weeks

Posted on November 5, 2017

Now that summer’s officially over, we can sit back and think about the things that were the trendiest on the beach, and we can definitely try to speculate about the things that will be huge next summer. Seeing fashion runways being transformed into beaches and checking out all the amazing outfits and combinations out there gives us many ideas about the way we want to look next summer. Let’s take a quick look at the most important beach trends this year, that will definitely make an appearance come the next one as well:

Photo by Ana Pavlyuk on Unsplash

1. Swimwear
According to Funkshion (Fashion Week Miami Beach) – the simpler the swimming suit, the better. Having a swimming suit that’s not of a pastel colour was kind of unpopular this year, since the rocking colours were beige, navy blue and white. Things won’t change in the following year either – Issa di Mar’s and Liliana Montoya’s swim collection for the following year also incorporate these colours, with both the one-piece retro and the classic two-piece swimming suit being pulled off, but with a twist. Don’t be surprised if you see someone wearing a two-piece corset-like swimming suit, it’s so much in.

Photo by Jessica Bristow on Unsplash

2. Bags
Woven beach bags have made a comeback this year – and we’re not only talking about the beach. If you have seen a girl rocking one to and from work, she might have been a fashion guru. Taking the very elegant Eugenia Kim Flavia or any bag from Frances Valentine to the beach will surely catch everyone’s attention. Moreover, light, woven backpacks were also dominant on the sandy beaches, and it’s definitely a trend that will be very popular in the following year, as well.

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3. Accessories
You can never go to the beach without being properly accessorized. Having good-quality sunglasses, nice, summer-inspired necklaces and bracelets is something that never goes out of style. According to Elle, one of the most important accessories this year were printed kaftans and cover-ups. If you happened to choose one that’s cheerful and elegant, going without any extra accessories was totally forgivable. Moreover, choosing a nice summer-themed phone case, and nice foot-bracelets can also do the trick.

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4. Shoes and tops
A girl can never spend too much money on shoes, and the ones for the beach also count. Having good footwear and combining it well with the outfit you’ve chosen for that day is totally an eye-catcher. Long tees that you wear as a dress (preferably a single-coloured one with motivational quotes) were very big this year, so mind these during the summer of 2018 too. When it comes to footwear, you don’t (and you shouldn’t) be wearing stilettos – Victoria Secret’s double-strap beach sandals or the classic and elegant Birkenstock shoes were, and will be, a total must-have the coming summer. If your outfit is on point, you can match these with whatever. It doesn’t leave the impression you were trying too hard and, yet, it looks classy and cute.

Photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash

5. Hats
The bigger the hat, the cooler you look. A good hat has always been a must for a day at the beach, and this year, big, straw hats were very dominant. They don’t have to have patterns – Ralph Lauren released a summer 2017 straw hat collection with such amazing colours that we wanted to take all of them home. However, the classic big black summer hat was definitely a hit, and it can never go out of style. 2017 proved it, and so will the following year.

The things that make your beach outfit are not the swimming suit you’re wearing. If you keep it minimalistic yet trendy, there will be so many combinations you can make with the clothes and accessories. A tip for next year: choose a simple, beige or brown swimming suit, and you’ll see that everything can match well with it – even your new, tanned skin.

fashion

5 Aussie Activewear Brands you Need to Know

Posted on October 18, 2017

Season after season, activewear (athleisure’s big sister) is only getting bigger and bigger. Everyone’s turning to the comfy and stylish and brands around the world are looking to align their designs with the customers’ needs. As we’re always on the outlook for the next best thing, we’ve given this fashion scene around the world a closer inspection and were pleasantly surprised to find that Australia may just be the leading country this season, at least when it comes to activewear brands.

So, for all of you who love being fashionable but prefer staying comfy, here are the top five Aussie activewear brands you should consider wearing:

HyperLuxe
The pride of Perth’s idyllic North Beach, the family-owned business HyperLuxe successfully blurs the line between casual daywear and workout gear, and works perfectly with modern-day lifestyle. HyperLuxe’s designs are intended for everyone who wants to look stylish and still have the ability to easily switch from a workout to running errands, having coffee with friends, carpool, and more. The brand’s been actively growing for two years now and we’re kind of impressed with the offer they currently have. The brand understands the busy schedules their target customers struggle with and they design to make their (active) lives easier.

Twotags
Lovers of active and healthy lifestyle, all those almost religiously committed to their workout routines will absolutely adore Twotags. The brand that prides on their very specific and focused aesthetics is perfect for athletes and dedicated gym-goers (or trainers) who love to look stylish but keep their fitness regimens uninterrupted. The designs are tailored in such a way that they show off your hard work in a stylish manner.
The brand delivers aesthetic fit and quality products, and they pride on their superb understanding of the market they are designing for. Further, by their own admission, Twotags refuses “to work with department stores & retail middlemen, passing on the savings to you”. Kudos!

Dharma Bums
There’s no harm in aligning your chakras with an awesome pair of leggings, is there? This high-performance yoga and activewear brand is everything you want to wear if you are a yoga lover or a stylish girl on the go. Dharma Bums is about to be four (4) years old this November and, as far as we’ve gathered, the brand has built a huge shopping audience by now. It was founded by a fashion designer and yoga teacher Debbie Lawson with the idea of changing the way yoga apparel is made. As laid out on the brand’s page, “Dharma Bums insists on an ethical code of conduct from the companies that make the product. Each Dharma Bum garment is made onshore in Australia and has the stamp of approval from Ethical Australia”. Further, before actually being launched on the market for sale, every new design is tried by yogis worldwide to make sure both fabrics and fit agree with the asana taken. Sweet, isn’t it?

Talbot Avenue
Yet another yoga-inspired activewear brand, Talbot Avenue designs for both yoga devotees and those who’ve never stepped foot in a gym! Women who trust Talbot Avenue wear the brand as their everyday street style looks, not just as a part of their yoga practices. This fact alone is continually stimulating the brand to channel their creative liberty towards actively extending their activewear offer and keeping their audience active and stylish. The fabrics, prints, and patterns they work with are carefully selected by the creative team behind the brand, so watch out for geometric shapes, snakeskin prints, monochromes, high-quality stretch with moisture-wicking capabilities and much more. Talbot Avenue’s designs work with every exercise, making it easy to extend your boxing class to a calming yoga session, afterwards. The brand is Australia-based but stocked in the USA, UK, and Europe, too.

Toned by Ashy Bines
Designed for all women, Toned has only launched their first collection but we kind of have a feeling this one is the first of many. The collection is chic, comfortable and super functional, with a very stylish twist to it. It is intended to flatter everybody and shape – from the ladies who need extra support in the bust area to those who wish to show off/hide their tummies or thighs. Fitted hoodies, comfy loose sweaters, flattering tights, and other activewear garments are just a few things this super cute brand offers. The designer of the brand collaborated with fitnessees around the world, listened to their wants, needs, feedbacks, and requirements and designed a collection with all that input in mind. We suggest you give it a chance!

Written by Claire Hastings.

fashion Fitness

ELEVAETE X Emirati Women’s Day

Posted on September 7, 2017

Celebrating homegrown talent and the love of sport, the U.A.E.’s own unique fitness apparel brand ELEVAETE is creating more than just a statement this Emirati Women’s Day.

ELEVAETE worked with a young local Emirati artist, Amna al Banna, at just 21 and studying graphic design at Zayed University, is known for her passion for calligraphy. With their collaboration, using traditional calligraphy to highlight local culture, Al Banna uses 6 words to represent both traditional UAE culture and sport culture. With these words alone, she’s created unique artwork that is screen printed on two pieces of barre-ready apparel in gold.

Both Al Banna and ELEVAETE reflect the same values at their core – victory, strength, faith, passion, energy, life. So we don’t expect them to available for long, these two pieces are a limited edition run set sold either together or separately and named after two of Al Banna’s identified words.

The pieces themselves are a beautiful fusion of tradition and function. A dark, monotone base colour just helps to highlight the calligraphy and each piece is handprinted with care.

We can’t wait to get our hands on set – get yours HERE.

STRENGTH / QUWA TEE

PASSION / SHAGAF LEGGING

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