Category Archives: Fashion

One for the Boys: A Guide to Gatsby Glamour

Gatsby, the ultimate dandy, would definitely be looking sharp if he were gracing us with his presence at the Esquire Magazine Man at his Best Awards 2013 in Dubai next month. A much anticipated evening in the Dubai social calendar, the awards recognise the achievements of men in the middle east, the invite promising a night of glamour with a Great Gatsby themed after party at the Conrad Hotel.

With Esquire being a fashion conscious, style savvy magazine, we’re expecting to see some very suave outfits. However, taken too literally, the Gatsby Glamour dress code could result in some unforgivable fashion faux pas. Remember gentleman, this is a stylish and sophisticated Esquire evening with a Gatsby Glamour theme, and not fancy dress.

For the film, Carey Mulligan’s costumes were designed by Prada and Miu Miu, with art deco jewellery specially created by Tiffany & Co. The Fitzgerald Suite at The Plaza Hotel in New York was decorated by designer Catherine Martin with restoration furniture pieces and original copies of the F. Scott Fitzgerald book. Leonardo DiCaprio’s clothes as Jay Gatsby were created by Brooks Brothers.

For the ladies, a 1920’s inspired look is pretty easy to achieve at the moment – the fashion world has been bombarding us with feathers, fringes and flapper dresses for a while now. But what about the boys?

  • Browse the Brooks Brothers Great Gatsby Collection for inspiration. If you have the chance to visit their flagship store, 346 Madison Ave, New York, take a look at the selection of clothes inspired by the film and the era itself. If you can’t manage a trip to New York, visit their website, not as much fun but it’ll have to do.
  • Wear a dinner jacket. It seems obvious, but surprising is the amount of men who don’t dress appropriately for black tie. And remember, it’s an evening event. Yes, a Borsalino Panama and two-tone spectator shoes might be very Gatsby, but this isn’t summer in the Hamptons, old sport.
  • Keep it classic. For a Gatsby look think well tailored, classic, preferably 3-piece, Jay Gatsby at the parties at his mansion. Don’t be afraid to opt for a navy or burgundy tuxedo.
  • Add that 1920’s flair. A velvet jacket is guaranteed to give you that moneyed air. Ralph Lauren Purple Label has a white double-breasted version with a shawl collar which would look great with black trousers and monogrammed velvet slippers. If a velvet jacket is too much, try a velvet bow tie instead.
  • Try a gauntlet cuff. Firstly, Tom Ford said it was alright for James Bond to do it, in midnight blue no less, so who are we mere mortals to argue. Secondly, although not exactly traditional on a tuxedo, it’s definitely very Gatsby.
  • Don’t forget the details. Bow tie, silk pocket square, mother of pearl cufflinks and patent leather  oxford shoes or velvet slippers really finish this look off. A stylish vintage pocket watch wouldn’t go amiss either. Evening dress scarf optional and only for the truly dapper.

 

Gatsby Glamour

(From top left) Martini slim-fit printed velvet blazer, Dhs8,000, Dolce & Gabanna; classic silk-satin bow tie, Dhs420; trim-fit dress shirt, Dhs1,600, Burberry London; slim-fit wool tuxedo blazer, Dhs8,550, Saint Laurent; gold plated and mother-of-pearl cufflinks, Dhs1,020, Lavin; The Great Gatsby Collection backless vest, Dhs700, Brooks Brothers; yellow gold pocket watch circa 1920’s, Dhs20,000, IWC; swiss dot silk scarf, Dhs945, Dolce & Gabanna; chassis leather and stainless steel hip flask, Dhs810, Alfred Dunhill; crocodile leather and act gold cigar case circa 1926, POA, Asprey & Co; Cheam patent leather plain oxford, Dhs1,600, Crockett & Jones.

Diamonds Are Forever: Bert Stern | Marilyn @ JAMM Gallery

A beautiful exhibition of Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe is being hosted at JAMM art gallery located in Al Quoz, Dubai. The exhibition will last until 18th April so if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet you most definitely should.

In late June 1962, just six weeks before Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, Bert Stern took almost 2,600 photographs of the American star over three daily sessions at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles for the popular Vogue magazine; this photo shoot later became known as The Last Sitting.

Stern’s photographs carry a rare sensual and human vibrancy. Never before had the star allowed a photographer such intimate access, and Stern’s camera captures a revealing, naked portrait of Marilyn the person – a fragile, lonely, flawed woman who would die tragically a few weeks later.

“Marilyn Monroe was great, sexy, beautiful and funny- the perfect all American girl. I loved her. I am very excited to be having a show for the first time in the fabulous city of Dubai”, said Bert Stern

Here are some of our favourites.

Marilyn with Veil

 

Marilyn with Chinchilla

 

Marilyn with Nikon

 

Marilyn Pink Roses

Images courtesy of Z7 Communications.

Peplum Perfection

By Leyla Keskin

Anyone who knows me will know that I am obsessed with any and everything 1940’s.  Women during this time seemed to look effortlessly classy and glamorous despite the difficulties of living in wartime Britain (or anywhere else for that matter).

Advert in Vogue circa 1947

 

My obsession started when, as a little girl, I realised that my Grandparents where alive during the war. I would ask them all sorts of questions about their experiences and loved hearing everything they could share with me, from how my Grandfather helped his Grandfather build their air raid shelter to how my Grandmother would watch her Mother draw a line on her calves instead of wearing stockings. My Grandmother would and still does tell me stories about her childhood and she always seems to remember exactly what she was wearing. She describes her outfits in great detail, creating a vivid image in my head and always ends her description with ‘Oh, I thought it was marvellous’.

Given my obsession with 40’s fashion you can understand how pleased I was when celebrities started posing on the red carpet wearing PEPLUMS!!!

The 40’s were all about curves. Clothes were made for women with curves or to create the illusion of the perfect hourglass and the gathered, flared material around the waist of a peplum does exactly this.

So you know what a peplum is but how do you wear it? I read somewhere that because the peplum is already a statement piece then you should not colour clash or team it with any patterns! Rubbish! As far as I am concerned there are no rules when it comes to colour or patterns.

One thing you do need to remember when rocking a peplum is that it is designed to show off those womanly curves. If you are wearing a peplum top then team it with a pencil skirt or a pair of skinny jeans to avoid it looking too fussy and loosing that hourglass shape. When wearing a peplum skirt you can team it with a strapless bodycon top for a glam evening look or dress it down with a jersey top for a daytime look. As with any look, remember to have fun and experiment – the peplum is both quirky and glam, vintage and modern and can be worn day or night.

I asked my grandmother the other day whether she ever wore peplums as a young girl, partly hoping she still had one or two pieces stashed away in her wardrobe.

‘A what?’

‘A peplum, nana’

‘You’ll have to show me what a pep….peplum is’.

I ran up to the small bedroom I stay in when visiting my grandparents and grabbed my purple peplum top.

‘Oh, a frill! I had a coat with a frill going around my waist as a girl. Oh, I thought it was marvellous’.

The Union Jack in Fashion

By Leyla Keskin

The Union Jack – a glorious symbol of the harmonious unity between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales or the ever present reminder that the English invaded, killed, conquered and controlled the surrounding territories?

In the United States the people treat their flag with pride and respect. Teenagers stand to the sing the national anthem at their graduation while gazing at the flag in awe and the elderly dutifully wake at the crack of dawn to rise the flag in their front garden. Across the pond, in the United Kingdom, we are told that displaying the cross of St. George in our windows during the Football World Cup is racist. The Union Jack has been used in the UK by racist right wing groups and a symbol of their white supremacist ideals.

To celebrate 10 years of sponsoring emerging designers at London Fashion Week earlier this year, Topshop invited their NEWGEN alumni back to design a capsule T-shirt collection.

When the Royal Wedding was announced  the British public became fascinated with romantic notion of a average middle class girl meeting a prince, marrying and living happily ever after as his beautiful queen. In the weeks leading up to the wedding we saw an increase in royal wedding merchandise alongside the novelty Union Jack flag.

Alas, the day of the Royal Wedding arrives. No one could avoid the scenes outside Buckingham Palace. It was a sea of Union Jacks being waved by happy, excited faces from all walks of life.

On this day British people were ‘allowed’ to wave the Union Jack with pride! Suddenly it was alright to say ‘I’m British and proud’.

These scenes outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and the up and coming London Olympics has had an influence on the high street. From Accessorize to Zara, who have Union Jacks printed on T shirts, earrings and necklaces to Topshop who have taken a more subtle approach with Tees inspired by British Culture.

This look can be a difficult look to carry off. I have to admit it is something I have avoided. I tried on a chiffon Union Jack tee from Zara and I felt like a hardcore Athletics fan at the Olympics Games. All that was missing was a Union Jack painted on my face and a banner reading: Britain for Gold!!!

The trick is to start off with subtle little touches. Accessorize have cute necklaces with iconic British charms like a Double Decker red bus and Big Ben. Nail art is always a good place to start. If you don’t want to paint the union jack on each of your finger nails you could embrace the different colour on each finger look using red, white and blue.

If you’re bold enough to skip the subtle touches be sure not to go Union Jack overload. This chiffon Union Jack tee from Zara (below) would look great with a pair of black skinny jeans and a leather or denim jacket. Always keep the rest of your outfit simple to avoid looking too messy. The Union Jack deserves everyone’s full attention.

Whatever look you go for be sure to rock it with pride. Chin up, cuppa tea in hand and a stiff upper and don’t forget that dry sense of humour. We can finally say we are British and proud!

Fashion Interiors Wishlist – April 2012

  • There are a few different Alexander McQueen designs available, mostly with skulls on them, but this Hummingbird cushion by The Rug Company is our favourite – POA, from The Rug Company.
  • The Oxygene lamp from Armani Casa will fit into a variety of interiors – POA, from Armani Casa, Dubai Mall.
  • So you’ve got a few pieces from House of Holland with a similar design, why not bring the same print into your bedroom? This DVF Spotted Cat bed linen will not only brighten up any interior, but is on trend for 2012 – $250-$350 from DVF or Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall.
  • As always, we can’t resist a bit of Vivienne Westwood, and the VW Flag Rug, Mouth and Scribble Orb cushions are no exception. Add these pieces to a bland interior to infuse a bit of Cool Britannia punk – POA, from The Rug Company.
  • Fine bone china from Paul Smith by Thomas Goode – the collection includes a coffee jug, tea pot, and breakfast cup and saucer – perfect for an afternoon tea (or coffee) – collection prices start at $62, Coffee Jug $500, from Paul Smith.

WishList February 2012

Wish List February 2012
  • The famous Bourgie lamp, created by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell, is presented in limited edition for Christmas 2011 in three new versions: titanium, fuchsia and sky blue. The fuchsia lamp, priced at Dhs2,440, is available at Kartell, 746 Jumeirah Beach Road. Hurry though, the Dubai store only had two sent to them and I’ve already purchased one for myself! Visit KartFurniture.
  • Quirky and fun Coco Clock by Enrico Azzimonti for Diamantini & Domeniconi, prices start at $390. Visit Diamantini & Dominiconi.
  • Who isn’t lusting over Karl Largerfeld’s new collection KARL? KARL Sless denim biker vest $540 and interlock collared stretch-jersey dress $270 both available at Net-A-Porter.
  • This wallpaper, created by Black Crow Studios who specialise in custom wall murals & treatments, is uniquely designed to fit your specific size requirements and can be customized to your choice of colour. Prices are available upon request. Visit Black Crow Studios.
  • Rug Maker has officially been granted a licence by Royal Mail to manufacture this exclusive Stamp Rug Collection which fully captures the iconic design of Machin’s Royal Mail Stamps. Prices start from £765, excluding shipping, available at Stamp Rugs.