Bohemian is a character that not everybody can embrace. However, Ahed chose to show less of that yet maintain the impression.
In fact, I love how she blends in at the grocery store. Its so organic!
Her look is simple yet stylish where she put together a plain black tank top from Juicy Couture with a bohemian printed swing skirt from Forever 21 for a flirty effect!
Her black wedges are by Giuseppe Zanotti and accessories are from Forever21 and Kardashian Silly Bands
Jessi Cruickshank in AIISHA
Jessi wears AIISHA
Janina Gavankar, the American actress and musician beauty is known for her roles in Barbershop and HBO’s True Blood. On the 18th of September, she dazzled the crowd at the HBO’s Annual Emmy Awards after party in LA in an AIISHA “Poudre” dress from our latest collection, Le Pouvoir de la Poudre.
Born in 1982, Elham Al-Qasimi aimed and reached.
In April 2010, Elham was the first Arab woman to set foot at the northernmost tip of the world, the North Pole. Her determination, courage and elegance are some of her many assets. My husband had the chance to hear her speak at Tedx Dubai 2010 and was very impressed. Those who know my husband, know how difficult it is to impress him. I’ll let you hear her speak for herself, it will tell you everything my words can’t describe. She just makes me and about a million others proud and inspired.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG2zXafAAPk&playnext=1&list=PL7CADBE5F703FC753
Elham is a messenger to those who struggle to dream. Making a change is tougher than seeing the top of the world, and by far Elham has reached that! Once you reach such heights, you don’t just stop. You go after another height and then the sky is the limit!
Elham is now celebrating being the Brand Ambassador for Adventure HQ – The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure store in the Middle East and I wish her all the success.
Since this is primarily a Fashion Blog about what I do or admire, I wanted to know more about fashion in Elham’s life. After listening to her speech, it was no surprise that her icon is Grace Kelly. After all, she goes for understated elegance and comfort. With Aung San suu Kyi being her role model, you start understanding better where her serenity emerges from.
Block colors, or the essence of this summer’s fashion, can either go extremely well or prove to be an extreme disaster!
When Ahed went to the Disney Magic Kingdom, she chose a very comfortable yet bright look. She put together a top from Naked Zebra Princess Chiffon Collection with a yellow pair of trousers from Ksubi Super Skinny Low rise jeans from www.net-a-porter.com
The look isn’t complete without a “mobile apartment” that carries all your essentials – or thats what us women call them. So the bag was a Michael Kors navy Blue Hamilton HandBag with a tan ballet stud flat from Old Navy
No look is ever complete – even a casual outfit – without accessorizing it. Accessories: Chanel earings, Kardashian Silly Bands and Chelsea House of Harlow Sunglasses
Its summer time following Ramadan and Eid. My Studio 8 clients know how crazy I can get with my colored kaftans. This season, we introduced a vast range of colors with emphasis on a classic kaftan with very elegant and subtle beading. This one came in a variaty of tones, from my favorite neon watermelon and white, to nude, turquoise, forest green, orange and a very chic red one.
I had the chance to have a photoshoot the collection with www.AnaZahra.com a platform where I occasionally blog in Arabic. I personally modeled the collection, a designer in the model’s shoes.
We have also introduced a wrap Kaftan which I especially think is extremely elegant and makes me think of a very stylish Abaya. I’ve kept our signature simplicity with bold colors as well as a few pieces in a printed silk with brown base. Although I’m not usually a fan of the color brown in fashion, this one in particular has the material feeling like a fresh breeze.
Its a very practical collection, relatively conservative, and quite affordable. Kaftans – or at least my Kaftan designs – are one of few pieces that can suit ANY body type. Trust me when I say, its a confidence booster!
Check it out in Studio 8 on Jumeirah Beach Road opposite Mercatto Dubai.
Thank you www.AnaZahra.com and thanks to the One & Only Royal Mirage – Jetty Lounge for such a lovely setting!
Today’s look took a very bold approach when being in NYC, which is specifically OK when you have such long legs! Ahed paired Alexander McQueen leggings with a black Zara top, Stella McCartney bag and a Bebe shoes.
I LOVE Ahed’s take on the leggings more than I do on Cyndi Lauper.
Today’s look is a new addition to this blog inspired by my gorgeous friend, who happens to have a pair of very long legs, Ahed Ghraizy.
Dark haired Beauty Ahed Ghraizy is Lebanese Model, Socialite & Businesswoman. In 2007, she won Miss Elegance in the crowning celebration by International Federation of Beauty Queens. Since then, Ahed was chosen to model at key fashion shows and TV programs such as “Project Fashion” Lebanon until she found her second half Dr. Thomas Otrok. She’s currently the Vice President of Eastern Technology Company flying between Miami & the Middle East.
Her all time favorite brand is Alexander McQueen due to it’s uniqueness & creativity pushing the limits with design and colors. For denim jeans, she loves A&F, Hudson for Flare Legs Style, and Roben’s Jean as it fits beautifully and is usually studded with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. If you’re a Bling-Bling fan, you gotta watch out for Ahed’s Look of Day! She’s also a fan of Herve Leger bandage dresses. Besides the high end, Ahed is smart about mixing high-end pieces with ones from Top Shop and H&M.
She’s a shoe fanatic with a closet full of Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti & Gucci heels
Ahed has a slim body, but make no mistake, she’s curvy and I love that! Her looks always have a sexy touch with a fun and fabulous result!
Anyways, luckily all wore the dresses (pfewww!!) but AJ’s dress in particular was a bit tight on her, which I believe didn’t help her walk properly. Still, she could’ve done a better job with the face expression. In the end, its the model’s job to make our pieces look even better.
Because here in the UAE we have no access to watching the program, I had little understanding on its background and of the girls. So I gave them a truly constructive criticism. If they listen and do by my advise, all top 5 have a chance to make it because each of them has at least one incredible gift.
Behind the scenes AIISHA collection set
The winner of my challenge was Rosanagh. Although she’s the shortest, she walked the most comfortably and she has sharp features, which I love. My second favorites were equally Brigitte and Issy.
Rosanagh
Those three will make a great modeling career if they keep practicing and boosting their confidence. Brigitte in particular needs to work on her catwalk characters and loosen up a little bit, then she’ll be perfect. In the end, designers prefer the most diverse models. Issy will go far in the modeling world with bolder looks.
Behind the scenes with Brigitte
Brigitte
Behind the scenes with Issy
Bianca had a very special look, which I admired in her photos. However, her catwalk skills are very weak and need plenty of practice. Same with AJ. Those 2 have a very strong presence in photographs and thats great if that’s the only thing they want to keep doing.
Behind the scenes with Bianca
Bianca
My advise for all the top 5 models was to keep practicing and possibly learn some belly dancing. It will release some of that stiffness.
Meet the Top 5
The final photograph taken on Yas Links Golf Club was sensational! Rosanagh, Brigitte and Izzy made me so proud. Brigitte kept me staring at her legs standing like a ballerina not shaking an inch! Do you understand how difficult it is to stand gracefully on the tip of your feet without looking in pain and without shaking? Not anybody can pull that off! It looked so effortless!
It was later on that I learned that these are very young and inexperienced girls. Had I known beforehand, I might have been a little softer with my comments. But what the heck.. I only got better after professionals in the fashion industry butchered me – not because they didn’t like me, but because they believed I had what it takes and gave me plain constructive criticsm to get me on my feet.
Getting ready for the winners photoshoot
Rosanagh, Brigitte, Colin, myself & Issy
The highlight of this experience? Working with the passionate and amazing Colin Mathura-Jeffree. He’s so down to Earth, SO HOT and he knows his stuff! I loved him and I enjoyed every second working with him.
Behind the scenes: Colin & myself
I met Sara Tetro briefly and in this half an hour the first thing that hit me was how elegant she is.. What a refined lady!
Sara
Chris Sisarich on the other hand was the boy everybody drooled over and I can see why. And btw, his photography work is Un-Believably good!
Chris
Thank you to New Zealand’s Next Top Model team, the 5 models for being so lovely, my friend Victoria Lelandais for her support, Yas Links Golf Course and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) for such a beautiful location!