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Strapping The World With Style

Brigitte Daher, a young Lebanese designer, launched a new line of sandals into the market last week. Against all odds and amidst the political turmoil in Beirut today, Daher introduces a solution to all fashionistas’ problems – sandals that can easily be modulated into different designs, added colors and bling-bling accessories.

A full-time art director in one of the biggest advertising agencies worldwide, the designer is bursting with energy and ideas. She believes in change, creativity and hates routine in any shape or form and designing something new always helps break the monotony.

“I am always changing the way I wear my clothes. Change in fashion helps break daily routine. I never take the same road to work, I hate routine. I try to find a new way to go to the office, even if sometimes I get lost on the way and arrive a bit late.”

Daher also believes that designing something not only creates something new, but also finds a solution to a problem.

“One day I was thinking, I wish I had one pair of shoes that I could change to suit my different clothes and moods. The problem I have is spending a lot of money each season on several pairs of shoes. I am sure a lot of women will understand what I am saying,” says Daher.

The solution, in this case, was to design that special pair of shoes herself. She designed it for everyone looking for a small solution to their daily fashion dilemmas. “You can change the straps with different colors, add a bit of shine to your legs with some stones and more …depending on the accessories you choose to suit your different moods.”

Daher’s designs are under her nickname "Briiij", “ I wanted to keep it simple.”

What inspires the young talent? Fashion and trends change everyday. Her curiosity is enriched by watching what people wear on the streets. “There’s something new every time you look.”

Her love for fashion has driven her creative potential towards this career direction. “I would rather be labeled a fashion victim than a routine victim any day."

Her plan is to have fun with designing. Looking at the world with curiosity and grasping everything that surrounds us. “Creativity is like a game of Lego. You collect pieces from here and there, and build with them in order to come up with a new shape,” she insists. “This is why I think anyone can be creative… finding a solution to any problem.”

“I want to try different designing in different fashion fields, and not restrict myself only to shoes, clothes or paintings. I want to try them all. I have so many ideas and so much energy that fall into different categories. The beauty of it is that I'm free to experiment and design anything that comes to my mind – no one said I have to just be a shoe designer - the sky is the limit.”- Nadine Fares Kahil

Briiij sandals ($70), Gladiator sandals ($80), plus additional straps ($10- $30). Currently sold in Beirut- orders can be made through briiij@hotmail.com.

Photo credits: (top left) Designer Brigitte Daher surrounded by her "Briiij" sandals.   

Martine Rockz

Entomology Rockz is new collection of accessories designed and launched by Martine Haddad, Lebanese jewellery artist living and working in Dubai. “I wanted to create something new, different, shocking and daring. Something that would make people stop and stare,” says Haddad.

As its name suggests, the entire collection is made up of different kinds of insects, designed with beautiful precious stones set in 18k white or yellow gold. Each piece is handmade with special attention to detail. Some parts move, giving it a more realistic look. The collection is made up of six types of insects: Ants, Dragonflies, Centipedes, Beetles, and Scarabs and of course Spiders.

“What inspired me? I’ve had a phobia for insects ever since I was a child. Of course many others share the same phobia. I decided to take something negative and turn it into something positively stunning,” she says. “It’s a new way at looking at insects, their purpose in this planet, but to most people, they’re only there to ruin our day.”

Of course some people see the collection and feel disturbed as they just see insects, but most people who saw the collection gave a positive feedback, appreciating the littlest details in each piece. “I think in due time everyone will see what I wanted them to see in each piece. Nature is not only about flowers and butterflies,” she insists.

- Nadine Fares Kahil

www.martinerockz.com

Photo credits: (top left) Jewellery designer Martine Haddad strikes a pose in one of her designs. (l to r) Ant necklace, Beetle necklace, Centipede necklace, and Dragonfly necklace.

Sole Desires

London-based shoe designer Rupert Sanderson designs deceptively minimalist sculptural shoes for the lady that goes against the pack and stands out among the fashion clones. Sanderson studied footwear design at the prestigious Cordwainers College in East London, substantially working for Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli. After a brief stint in the advertising world, Sanderson followed his childhood passion and launched his eponymous line in 2001. The line is produced by Italian artisans at his factory in the Apennine Mountains where he maintains meticulous quality control standards. Sanderson's originality flows down to the names of the shoes, which he names after a variety of the daffodil flower. The line is available in over 100 department and boutiques worldwide with two flagship shops in Mayfair and Knightbridge.

 

Looks from the Autumn/Winter 2007-08 collection.

From left to right: Emma ($495), Melini ($565), and Joyce ($465).

Store Locations:

2a Hans Road
Knightsbridge SW3 1RX
T: 0870 750 9181
F: 020 7584 2746

33 Bruton Place W1J 6NP
T: 020 7491 2427
F: 0870 750 9182

VOOM to Style

VOOM by Joy Han, a L.A. based label of vintage-inspired, feminine sportswear for stylehounds looking to throw a curve ball in the fashion arena with casual, yet chic frocks that exude a certain 'je ne sais quois'. Designer Joy Han re-launched VOOM in 2005 and since then the line has literally voomed to the top of the fashion radar. Stylishly spotted on Hollywood hot-tarts: Eva Longoria, Eve, Avril Lavigne, Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton, and Vanessa Minnillo. From the success of the label Han has launched VOOM Premium Denim, Vintage VOOM, and VaVa by Joy Han. VOOM débuted on the catwalk at the L.A. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Fall/Winter ’06.

As the original “VOOM Girl”, Han has her finger on the pulse on her signature style she calls “twisted vintage” and is making a name of herself in fashion circles as “Ms. Galliano”. A superb complement indeed, but to Han it’s just the nature of her job. “As a designer I feel the responsibility to create styles that'll make a woman feel young, beautiful, and confident without being a trend that you can wear for only one season. I want to create new classics that look trendy without being the "IT" trend, so they can wear it anytime, any season, year after year." Available at Fred Segal Fun in Santa Monica, Intuition in West LA, Patricia Field's in New York, and VOOM Boutique. Online at www.voomonline.com.

Celebrity Style: Eva Longoria in Voom's Elephant Denim Dress ($179)

   

All the Raj

Indian-inflected influences have been showing up in American and European designer collections for quite some time, but absent has been native Indian designers interpretations of their vivid culture for western audiences. It was only a matter before the West came calling, for some true Indian aesthetic.

Indian born fashion designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, made his international dèbut at the New York New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2007 collections. A design superstar in India, the Calcutta based designer is known for his first collection inspired by the sex works of Sonagachi, the famous red-light district of Calcutta. Mukherjee, has garnered many accolades in his native country; voted the ‘Most Outstanding Designer of India’ by the Times of India, and received the Indian National Award in Costume Design for the movie ‘Black’ in 2007 (an equivalent of the Indian Oscar).

Mukherjee’s Spring/Summer collection was filled with rich hand-printed natural fabrics, peasant dresses and blouson sleeves lightly adorned with modern embellishments. Can he transcend his popularity to Western shores? The fashion verdict is pending. One thing is certain; Mukherjee is a rising talent to watch.

Runway Photo Credit: Giovanni Pucci

Paige Premium Denim

Paige Premium Denim

Famed fit model turned designer, Paige Adams-Geller, debuted her label Paige Premium Denim in 2005. The line quickly struck a cord with retailers, celebrities and fashionistas. debut daily caught up with Adams-Geller for a behind-the-seams view of the label.

debut daily: In your opinion, what is the strongest trend for denim in Spring '07?

Paige: the strongest trend for Spring 07 are skinnies!!! Especially in grey and black! Dark resin denim is hotter than ever in any style from boot cut, to tight ankle length cigarette, to wide leg trousers. When I launched Paige Premium Denim I wanted to create a clean jean that
looks good with everything. Two years later the rest of the world seemed to catch up with the "clean" theme! So, Spring will continue to be about clean jeans and silhouettes that flatter all shapes and sizes!

debut: Paige Premium top-selling styles?

Paige: The top-selling styles for Paige denim are the Blue Heights Skinny and the Laurel Canyon low-rise boot cut. Our hottest washes are Midnight Rocker and Lagoon! Aside from our black overdye and grey.  debut daily: What are the exclusive elements inherent to Paige Premium Denim?

Paige: The most exclusive elements to Paige denim I would have to say range from my fit expertise to our Italian denim that is one of a kind! I fit everything that comes out of Paige denim personally.

Paige Premium Denim available at flagship store, Paige, 116 N. Robertson Blvd, 310.360.9888
A portion of store sales go to RAINN- the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. Online at Paigepremiumdenim.com and at fine retailers.

J BRAND

Denim industry veteran Jeff Rudes and celebrity stylist Susie Crippen teamed up to create J BRAND, a premium denim label mixing comfort, sexiness and style. J Brand sent denim aficionados reeling with the debut of their clean, ultra lean pant. As most denim designers went left with flare legs and embellishments; J BRAND went right with a clean, skinny pant sans pockets with immediate success.

J BRAND's top styles are Denim which are numbered in the 800's and the 900's. The 800 Denim are low-rise slim cut skinnies with 29-32 inch inseams, while the 900 are mid-rise slim cut skinnies with 32 inch inseams. 4-way Stretch, Wide Legs, Shorts and Maternity round out the line. Innovative washes in Ink, Dark Vintage, Jett, Aged, Lapis, Silver Fox, Natural, White and Summer set an urbane tone.

"It's about a woman looking beautiful in her jeans, not the jean drawing attention to her," says Susie.

Available at Neiman Marcus, Ron Herman and Nordstrom. Online at BarneysScoop.com, ShopIntuition.com, and Jbrandjeans.com.

      

Images courtsey of J Brand.

Notify

Denim master Maurice Ohayon established Notify in 2003 after twenty-five years of experimenting with the rugged cotton twill fabric. Born in Casablanca, Morrocco, Ohayon's mother worked as a men's tailor from home. Tranforming the home into an atelier with employees bustling about cutting fabrics, setting linings and sewing on pockets. The frenetically creative environment had a huge influence on Ohayon and established the design principles evident in Notify. From the  superb tailoring techniques and embroidered Notify brand on the inside waistband of each pair of jeans, just like his mother used to do with the name of her clients inside their suits.

Notify's hand-made details, old-world influence coupled with sophisticated avant-garde stylings, premier fabrics and washes has made Notify a hot denim property within fashion circles and style mavens. It's safe to bet, Ohayon's mother would be proud.

For Spring/Summer 2007 Notify presents unique stylings using the latest innovations in washing, treatments, silhouette and details. Innovative hand applied treatments known as the Glossy, jeans coated with wax. The Perllato gives a mix of color and wax creating a pearly, two-way color effect. The Titanium uses the same the technique but applied on the inside out fabric with metallic colors in subtle hues of gold to steel, bronze and copper. Super slim cuts and regular slim, in bi-stretch fabric are the top styles. Sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Jeffery and Nordstrom. Available online at net-a-porter.com, shopbop.com, revolveclothing.com and notifyjeans.com.

Images provided by Revolveclothing.com