I mentioned a while ago that Emirates Woman Magazine has initiated a fashionable charity project called Fashion with a Heart. The team of Emirates Woman selected 10 of the very best designers in the UAE to work with. Each of the designers, of course including myself, was requested to make a bespoke dress that will be auctioned off at the Fashion With A Heart charity event that will take place at the Raffles Hotel Dubai, for the benefit Al Noor Training Centre for Children With Special Needs.
This project combines philanthropy and fashion where each of us, designers, have created a one-of-a-kind dress incorporating the themes of red, love and Fashion With a Heart concept. The 10 designers included myself, Aiisha Ramadan, Amato, Walid Atallah, Essa among others.
Aiisha Ramadan for Emirates Woman - Fashion with A Heart
Ironically, I was in touch with Al Noor last year and we had something in mind that didn’t work out. The good news is that now its happening and like I said before, its time to give back. In fact, its always time to give back!
My dress took an intensive month and a half and more than 30 yards of fabric!!! It was a sweet heart neckline, corset base bustier fully embroidered and beaded with Swarovski Crystals with layers and layers of tulle wired ruffles.I truly gave it my heart. In my opinion, if you want a dress to be auctioned, give it the best you can and don’t go cheap.
Not my favorite photo of myself, but the editor chose one that reflects my character the most. I’ll let the photo tell you more..
I will post a separate thread about the event when it happens as the date is TBC.
Yesterday was the last day at the DFW for the season. I haven’t been part of the DFW for a couple of years as it was time for change; however, my T-Shirt design was the opener at the Evian Fashion show where 15 designers participated in benefit for Dubai Cares Charity Foundation. I will post a separate thread for that with photos.
This year, the DFW happens to go under fire as the fashionistas have had enough. If you go back in my blog, you’ll find 2 posts (about a year old) addressing the issues that should be taken into consideration when trying to elevate the standards of the DFW: http://tiny.cc/pd3ujandhttp://tiny.cc/z4mb5
This is when I remembered the good times, the golden ones, when my first mega collaboration was with Nokia where the show was strong because of the theme and the designs, Nokia’s presence, PR and continuing efforts in taking the show around the Middle East (Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan).
Prism Geometric Mini Dress
My entire collection was inspired by the Nokia Prism 7900 handset. It was one of Nokia’s first fashion attempts in the region and it was carried out with me during the Dubai Fashion Week in 2007. As mentioned before, the collection then toured the Gulf and Middle East and it was a great success. Later the same year, I was invited to be the pioneer designer of the Super Nova collection at the La Destination Design de Nokia -- Marrakech. That too was a beautiful experience.
In terms of the designs, they were inspired by the Prism’s geometric shapes, elegance, black basic colors and from the 42 built in colors that reflect on the phone’s keypad, I chose purple, blue, silver and rainbow.
Watch highlights from the fashion show below:
Going back to the DFW, I’ve said enough.. a year ago and much more to the press all along. Now, I sit and watch hoping for progress. Until then, my collaborations will keep going on and my private fashion shows will stay.. private.
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!
“Aiisha’s Love Affair show took me on a magical and unimaginable journey. I was so taken by Aiisha’s unique talent, her amazing designs, the use of color and overall story telling brought to life through the beautiful models chosen for the show. This was a prefect story that instantly made me fall in love with Aiisha’s collection and her show on Ice.”
Keeping my personal relation with Aiisha aside,i was very proud of her as a Dubai-based designer for having gone hand in hand with Victoria Cazal in order to achieve ”LOVE AFFAIR”
the designs were a true reflection of Aisha’s personality : sophisticated and yet very simple
Graziella Kamel, Dubai TV Presenter
I’m really honoured to attend you latest fashion show, practically speaking, i can find the right word to describe what i felt and what i saw …
that’s not a fashion show! it was much bigger than that, it was a tremendous event were beauty and feelings and art worked hand in hand and showed every one the new concept and methods of fashion but in Aiisha’s way!
this event broke all the records that you had before, its a milestone for your next moves and i’m more than sure that you will surprise everyone .
this not a complement and i’m not over exaggerating .. that’s simply what i felt. and as i always use to tell you before since we were kids.. a brilliant future is waiting for u AIISHA !!
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.
A day to remember in my calendar of events. We’ve been busy planning for this date for over 5 months (if not more), for few days prior to that date we hardly slept, we worked over night, but the more challenge we faced, the more we developed collective determination until we reached the deadline and from there it was smooth sailing.
Of course I’m talking about my collaboration with Victoria Casal.
A Love Affair Invite
A Love Affair is a collaboration 1 year in the making, kept under wraps until it was unveiled in a glamorous, unique, one of a kind show that was deemed the fashion show of the year and the golden ticket of the fashion events in Dubai.
The Design Team on the Catwalk
My coverage for this event will extend to few blog posts detailing all aspects of the show, the designs and everything related.
@aiisharamadan Get Your FREE $500 TicketMaster Gift Card and See Your favorite concerts! Get Yours @ http://tiny.cc/iqdcc - posted on 27/08/2010 16:51:52
@lamodadubai Abso-f'in-lutely! - posted on 26/08/2010 02:37:11
@lamodadubai Merci cheri! Feel free to use Google Translator if u feel that Arabic sounds like Chinese to y - posted on 25/08/2010 23:17:55
Lately everytime I tell someone that I have great news, (s)he responds by: OMG! Ur pregnant! P.S If I were pregnant, U'd be the last to know - posted on 25/08/2010 23:16:06
@aiisharamadan Get to see Your Favorite Concerts 4 FREE! Enter email to win $500 TicketMaster Gift Card @ http://tiny.cc/34l8z - posted on 22/08/2010 08:09:28
@aiisharamadan Love the proofs from the AnaZahra shoot! You looked stunning! - posted on 22/08/2010 01:01:22
@aiisharamadan I remember and I'm very flattered. Thank you! - posted on 18/08/2010 19:22:57
@lamodadubai Remember what I call you my friend. You've earned it well - posted on 17/08/2010 22:34:10
A gum stuck to my shoes disgusting manners.. That's why there're bins!! - posted on 12/08/2010 23:07:03
@ShireneRifai Inti a7la hayeti! - posted on 02/08/2010 23:17:37
@ShireneRifai I just noticed that you look a little like Rachel Zoe - posted on 02/08/2010 22:19:37
I received a call this morning from 056-7424250 saying that I won 500,000 Dhs - According to the police this is the 5th complaint abt this # - posted on 02/08/2010 19:54:33
@ShireneRifai Ok.. I'll rest my jealousy on the side and look at the bigger picture - posted on 02/08/2010 19:32:51
@ShireneRifai I'm jealous - posted on 02/08/2010 18:43:51
- posted on 25/08/2010 23:17:55
disgusting manners.. That's why there're bins!! - posted on 12/08/2010 23:07:03