The most talked about annual evening in the UAE, is certainly one that I always like to come back to. For the 3rd year, I fall within the Style Icons amongst other incredible people who are an inspiration for others. For me, the entire day is dedicated for this event. I wake up around noon, have a light breakfast, answer few emails, try on the dress I’ve selected one more time (for assurance) – pick the appropriate shoes and accessories to go with it, and then head out of home. Straight to the Hair, manicure and pedicure. Since I chose the one-shoulder white feather dress from my Love Affair collection, I wanted to go bold with the shoes and nail polish color. So I went for my favorite bright color: Neon Fuchsia.
Arriving at the Ahlan! Hot 100 red carpet I was greeted with the beautiful hostesses wearing my knee length one shoulder dresses created especially for the HP Mini Laptops all in white satin silk, with an HP beaded logo using CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements on the bow.
Photos and interviews all the way till you reach the heart of the event, which took place at The Address Montgomerie Dubai. The best part of the event was meeting up with some fabulous people, some of whom I haven’t seen in years!
On a side note, for the 2nd time, I was selected as one of the Best Dressed for the evening. Not bad for a fashion designer!
Selected as one of the Best Dressed
Thank you Ahlan! for the selection and the fabulous event, you really know how to throw a party.
I don’t usually write about events I attend, but the fact that Olay and Warner Brothers invited us to the first screening of the movie Valentine’s Day, just few days before the famous occasion is pretty exciting on its own. The movie was from the same spirit of Love Actually, and have a star studded line-up of Hollywood actors and actresses, of which, my very favorite Julia Roberts and her very short – yet moving role.
Its a nice movie, made me laugh several times. Watch it when you just want to relax.
On the red carpet, Olay Regenerist Micro-Scultpting Cream team greeted us with a skin analysis – which revealed pretty interesting information for me, samples and a whole load of fashionistas.
The thing about aging creams is that you don’t need to wait till you age for you to try to reconstruct the damage. In fact, attack aging before it attacks you. In other words, delay it.
So thanks Olay!
Oh! and Happy Valentine’s Day…
Olay Regenerist is in stores, the movie opens this weekend.
Hellwafashion.com was at the event, and she had it covered in pictures.
This by far is the longest post that this site has so far, and its there to thank every individual who has provided us with support and has been a part of this great success. So I list them at no particular order.
A Love Affair
Production
Stefan Cebula, an amazing human being. You look at him and you realize that everything will be alright. Building the stage on ice, hanging himself from the rooftop, taking care of every (production) aspect was never an easy job. Stef has produced Valentino shows and The World Summit in Johannesburg among many others. He is the best!
Stefan Cebula
Among many others, Vartan Kelechian was a true positive vibe for me. Everytime I felt the world crashing around me, he assured me it will all be fine and it was!
Jihad Mawed is the man behind my logo. I paid 5 companies for a proper logo and I ended up using none. Instead I used the one from my childhood friend. He’s a true artist and a very dear brother. Along with my husband, Jihad also designed the Love Affair backdrop, which I think was sensational
A Love Affair Backdrop
Lights
Liz Berry, What can you say about a (Super Lady) who has produced the lights for London Fashion Week and Robbie Williams concerts? She’s a Super Lady!!
Models
Carole B, Hana Nitsche, Alexandra, Zeljka, Cole, Ying, Maja and Sophia from Bareface, Kate and Nicole from LMM, Dima, Anastasia, Katryna, Katsyarina, Rene and Anna. Everybody spoke of their beauty and grace. They really made me proud and were gorgeous! Unlike other models, they were all lovely, patient and simply professional.
A powerful opera singer who’s full of passion and has previously opened at Twickenham for 80,000 people. He was sensational!
Andrew Amdur (Tenor)
Natasha Alexandra Kemball
A graceful figure skater, who started the evening off with twirls and elegant moves, using the soaring voice of Opera Singer – Andrew Amdur for inspiration. It was so passionate and truly brought me tears.
Natasha Alexandra Kemball
Photographers
All the photographers stood side by side to document every breath we took, every move the models took and every shine of Victoria Casal pieces. Joseph Bassil was their leader and his photos speak for themselves.
All 4 Media. These guys got me speechless everytime I saw them around me either filming or solving a problem or simply reassuring us that everything is gonna be alright. They were true soldiers. The filming was conducted in HD and transfered on the massive 20meter x 10meter screen at Dubai Mall. Thank you, Roland, Raymond and all the incredible staff.
Music
Thanks to my incredible husband, we truly brought Paris to Dubai for the night. The mix was sensational.. I listen to it almost everyday and never get enough of it – Because we truly worked on it from our hearts. Please visit the links to taste the music.
What an pleasure to have met this legend. With his beautiful fuchsia shoes, both Victoria and myself were honored and so glad to have met Manolo. The 3 of us shared 2 photoshoots (exclusive for Harper’s Bazaar and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazines). It’s great as it makes the lady wearing Manolo’s feel like a princess, but also meeting the lovely legend behind it, is thrilling. Truly, to have Victoria and Manolo on my sides was a dream I never thought would come true!
Manolo Blahnik, Victoria Casal and Aiisha
Our stylist Noni, a passionate lady so eager to become a professional stylist, I tell her thank you for your dedication and your precision. I couldn’t have done it without you.
The models looked like they went out of the 60’s Vogue (I quote from the Khaleej Times). Steve from Pace e Luce Al Manzel – Burj Dubai Downtown – made me and Victoria look like 60’s divas for our clip. We simply looked sexy. Put the same look on the naturally perfect models and tell me what you think! The entire team of Pace e Luce blew us away by their work.. Thank you guys! If you know great hair professionals, Pace e Luce will always be on the top of your list!
When it comes to Max Factor (part of Procter & Gamble), I can’t help but think: Family. P&G and their PR company MS&L have supported me from my early beginnings and we remain loyal to each other. Not only are they professionals, but also friendly and easy going. When it comes to mastering Max Factor, Samira Olfat is my favorite makeup artist. She has worked with the best companies and designers from Galliano to Christian Lacroix to Aiisha and Victoria Casal! Max Factor had their iconic Lipfinity in its 6 shades worn to stay on the lips. I don’t know of any woman who has tried them and not felt grateful for this invention..
As you know, I’m the spokesperson for the HP Fashion Products, including the Vivienne Tam netbook. To continue what we have started, HP supported us with their latest pink edition, which simply happens to be divine!!
Another supporter from Procter & Gamble. Camay, the luxurious soap brand, has 5 exquisite variants for every woman: Dejour, Crème Delice, Passion, Parfum, and Pink. I have designed 5 dresses that reflect each of the Camay 5 scents. Each of them appeals to a mood / character that every woman may embrace. In each character, I see myself. We’ll cover that soon in a different post.
Did you know that Sweet Stuff made a special Aiisha and Love Affair Cup Cake editions for the fashion show? Not only that, but these cup cakes are being sold in their store on Jumeirah for a month after the show. I’m really flattered!
Sweet Stuff / Aiisha Cupcakes
Graziella Kamel
Its a true honor to have had Graziella as our MC. Graziella and I have worked on Dubai TV for a fashion styling program. I was always fond of Graziella’s ocean of talent. She was a sense of fashion that this region needs to nourish from. She’s multi-lingual and its simply sexy.. And she’s smart. Did I forget to mention how beautiful she really is? Hard luck for the men out there, she’s taken by a wonderful Ralph!
Danielle Wilson. For very long months, Danielle has worked so hard day and night and has always had faith in me. For that and much much more, I’m grateful. I couldn’t have done it without you..
Danielle Wilson with Aiisha and the Sweet Stuff at the event
My partner and my lover! Every member of Victoria Casal Paris to the Dubai branch made all the difference with their support. Thank you for making this Love Affair happen. I lived my dream with you..
Victoria Casal and Aiisha on the catwalk
Press
Every writer, reporter, journalist, blogger be it positive or negative (and it was truly positive), THANK YOU!
Press at the Love Affair
Our friends, family and the working team behind “Aiisha”.. thank you for your continuous support. I love you!
I understand how important it is to keep the blog up to date, specially after such a monumental event in my life, but I really have no time to update this blog followers with the event details, so I left the scoop for other bloggers (which I sincerely thank from my heart). But that doesn’t mean I won’t be updating my blog with the event photos and video, but all is good in due time.
La Dame a la Tour Eiffel
The purpose of this entry is to announce that all the “Love Affair” collection is displayed at Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall.
At the main entrance of Galeries Lafayette Dubai Mall
At first we had the opportunity to display the collection for 10 days, which after an overwhelming reception, this extended till end of November.
Please, come and have a look at the collection first hand, it is on display at the main entrance on the 2nd floor.
Aiisha on Display
I will be at Galeries Lafayette this weekend (Friday and Saturday), come and say Hi.
It all started with a phone call, and I was jumping with joy.
Barbie is celebrating her 50th birthday and I was invited with other designers to sketch some designs to dress her up for the occasion. Mattel assigned a panel of judges to meet and choose the designs they deem fit for Barbie. I have to admit, I didn’t spare a minute, I was sketching designs without counting, ended up with 25 or more, but I only submitted 16 to the panel, which to my surprise they chose 3 of my sketches to be produced and and go on the catwalk.
Barbie and I
As some of you might know, I am in the midst of preparing of my own fashion show in collaboration with Victoria Casal Jewellery and participation from Manolo Blahnik shoes and its taking most of my time, I don’t even have time to update this blog, but I found the time to produce 3 pieces
On the 29th of October, 2009 the designs found their way to this year’s Dubai Fashion Week Grand Finale, the Barbie Fashion Show.
DFW Invite, Barbie Booklet
Total of 26 designers from the region paid tribute to Barbie, a true fashion icon, I would like to share 2 of my designs with you.
My favorite Barbie Dress
Messages of Love, Peace, Virtue, Freedom, Beauty, Hope, Happiness
50 years young, and Barbie is still look stunning.
Barbie Candy Girl
Check out this week edition of Grazia Magazine for an exclusive chance to win one of my Barbie Designs.
I have to admit, this came as a surprise to me, but it is a nice one.
Lotus One, the lounge bar and fusion restaurant, recently hosted an exclusive party in honour of socialite Paris Hilton at Lounge. And she actually wore one of my designs to attend the party.
Dubai Hilton
Paris @ Lotus One
She wore one of the exclusive pattern made for my label, taken from the White Collection.
Dubai beats Tokyo on the fashion scene? That’s amazing!!
Dubai At Night
Well, Dubai is proudly ranked as # 11 fashion city while Milan topped the list surging New York after the latter dominated # 1 for 5 years.
“The global economic restructuring has affected the fashion industry just as it has touched everything else,” said Millie L. Payack, director and fashion correspondent for the Global Language Monitor. “The catwalks were still crowded though with the lights dimmer, the hype a bit more restrained, and ‘recessionistas,’ of course, thriving”.
“This exclusive ranking is based upon GLM’s Predictive Quantities Index, a proprietary algorithm that tracks words and phrases in print and electronic media, on the Internet and throughout the blogosphere. The words and phrases are tracked in relation to their frequency, contextual usage and appearance in global media outlets.” According to the Global Language Monitor
I’ve been living in Dubai for the most of my life. I don’t know any other home. As a young girl who likes fashion, I’ve seen the fashion scene in Dubaimature and become more cosmopolitan. It’s almost well known that Dubai lacks a clear identity in terms of its fashion mood, yet it brings onto the table so much to look up to. Is it conservative? Modern, Funky, Classic, High-End, Ready-to-Wear or Couture oriented? Is it for very well established designers or emerging talents? Because the quality is immensely different.
That is especially clear at the internationally acclaimed Dubai Fashion Week where you see several designers with contrasting views towards fashion and the market needs. It’s not a Prêt-à-Porter show, it’s not a couture show. It’s not conservative; it’s a lot of things.
That, has so far been perceived as a negative thing, which in many ways it is. However, if the fashion organizers take a look at the fashion scenario from a different perspective, they can bring these varieties in the most amazing form.
If you go to Paris it’s because you enjoy and want to see couture at its best, with London, its funky street wear with an open minded creativity. There’s a clear identity and purpose of their fashion weeks. However, only Dubai has a variety of cultures, styles and serves more than 1 market. In the end, Dubai has a massive variety of population, tastes and cultures.
To bring together what we currently have in the fashion scene closer to the various markets and consumers in Dubai, there has to be standards set without bending.
There should never be a first come (pay) first serve to be listed at the fashion weeks. The screening process shouldn’t be conducted by an accountant.
There should be a big awareness campaign regarding the regionally based designers.
These designers should be able to get International level of training in Dubai.
All designers showcasing should have a theme to follow in each of their fashion shows.
Coherency is a must. Right now, the press pick up photos from each designer where its impossible to guess that both designs are for the same designer from the same show.
Professional models.
Professional Photography.
PR – PR – PR: Fairness to all designers participating. Once all have been accepted, all designers are supposed to get the maximum possible coverage. Or else, each would rather get his/her own sponsors and carry out their own shows solo with their PR working on their media coverage.
Bigger sponsor names.. come on, this is the image of Dubai which is FULL of big brands, if not the HOME of brands!
An International Fashion Designer/ Fashion House to be invited to showcase as the Grand Finale of the fashion week. Lets face it, what’s been offered is really not international. International is Dior, Donna Karen, Gucci.. Do I need to name them all??
International Press. After all of the above have been dealt with, invite few international editors. It will pay off well.
I live in Dubai, and I love it here.
As I saw the UAE growing into one of the most economically powerful and man-made countries to be proud of, in my field, I’d love to see faith in the designers around, high standards to be proud of and to have Vogue scheduling us on their calendar rather than us begging for the local newspapers to cover us. I know that we can make it, but first, we need to agree on what we want.
Did you know that Dubai is getting recognition as a Fashion City? We will cover that in another post.
Aiisha showcased her new collection in the Studio 8 fashion show at this year’s Dubai Fashion Week. In an exhilarating and vibrant display of creative brilliance, Aiisha pushed the boundaries and scaled new heights of fashion individualism. Evoking the spirit of Dubai and her fresh, pristine mood, Aiisha combined striking colours, flowing designs and an effervescent energy to create a big splash for her Resort Autumn/Winter 09-10 collection.
Fuchsia mini dress with an opened back. This opening dress was a show stopper!
The Aiisha collection is evolving and becoming more defined which in turn reflects her personality and creativity as a designer.Aiisha is extremely excited about this new phase of her design career and feels passionately that it will strike a chord with fashion lovers and resonate deeply within people that are looking for unique, fresh concepts and styles
One of my favorites, Fuchsia Kaftan with a killer beaded back
“The best part of creativity is experimenting and for me, going from Earthy tones to striking ones was an unprecedented move” says Aiisha. Keeping in spirit, the collection will also be more haute couture.
Lemon Yellow Kaftan
Lemon Yellow Kaftan (Back)
The new Aiisha collection will headline many various events, combine with special occasions and showcase exclusively at new and trendy fashion outlets.
Poison green layered short dress
Straight after the Studio 8 show at Dubai Fashion Week, Aiisha’s collection will be available at the International Multi brand store Studio 8 which is owned by Sara Belhasa.
Yellow Flower Dress
Stockists also include:
March 2009 – Chocolate & Pickles – Wafi (already available)
April 2009 – Le Balcon des Creatures – Beirut (Lebanon)
