I always say yes to under water themed photo shoots. With Zahrat Al Khaleej and one of my favorite models Dima, it was a very successful photo shoot and I instantly fell in love with the results.
Thank you Zahrat Al Khaleej.
Zahrat Al Khaleej featuring Aiisha Ramadan design
Zahrat Al Khaleej featuring Aiisha Ramadan design
Zahrat Al Khaleej featuring Aiisha Ramadan design
All above items are available at Studio8, Jumeirah, Dubai.
For those familiar with the Arab Media, Zahrat Al Khaleej magazine is one of the top 3 in the GCC. The team behind Zahrat Al Khaleej has come together to extend their vision into an Arabic only website under the name of Ana Zahra. Incidentally, Ana Zahra means (I’m a flower). The website will be under www.anazahra.com
It will be covering lifestyle, fashion and beauty. Contributers will be from Paris, Saudi Arabia, Beirut, and of course the UAE.
A few months ago, I was approached by Zoya Sakr, most likely the tallest lady I’ve ever met. But also one of the finest, most elegant and has some mystery in her eyes. She observes a lot.. she appreciates well.
After hearing about my lifestyle and all that I do, I was immediately categorized as one of their Inspirational Women and was requested to write my diaries to Ana Zahra.
The challenge to me was to write in Arabic. I “was” the top student in high school with my Arabic, but that kind of evaporated throughout the years for the lack of practice. However, when I started writing, it all started flooding. I had a style in writing. Its easy yet deep. At least thats how I like to think about it. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
The first few articles will be more like an introduction and talking about my history on how I got into Fashion, talking about each collection, what was behind it and what it meant to me, my styling career and lots about my family.
Its about my personal fashion oriented life.
My policy was to delete as less as possible. Just let it out, be myself and within the borders of respecting the public.
Experts and contributors will include the likes of Joelle Mardinian, who looked stunning wearing one of my Love Affair dresses at our group photoshoot. I’ll write a separate blog about that.
For now, I’d like to thank Zoya, Ana Zahra Team, my family and all of those who have supported me.
Do check out www.anazahra.com and I really hope you’ll enjoy it.
Arabia Style Coverage
Below are also few photos that Style Arabia, an ITP Publication, has taken during the photoshoot. They were too beautiful not to share with the world.
Courtesy of ITP Publications for Style Arabia
Courtesy of ITP Publication for Style Arabia
Courtesy of ITP Publication for Style Arabia
What a beautiful photo.. joy, innocence, beauty all together in one photograph.. By the way, these photos are untouched (they have not gone under any photoshop work).
Photographer: G-nie
Editor: Nadine El Chaer
Model: Sophia
Location: Media Rotana Terrace
If you have been visiting this blog using your iPhone or Android powered Smartphones, you would know that the blog is optimized for mobile since its birth, and now its iPad ready as well.
With the introduction of a great OVI App Wizard from Nokia, Aiisha’s Blog is now a mobile app on Nokia OVI. 
If you use a Nokia device, go to your OVI store and download the application (Most latest Nokia Phones) or the widget (Nokia X6 / N97 /Mini) and stay updated. The application keeps you up-to-date on the blog news and Aiisha’s twitter feeds @aiisharamadan, with videos and pictures. http://tiny.cc/z08ik
Aiisha on OVI store has been a great success with more than 2000 downloads in 7 days, that’s a lot of brand exposure in a little time, Nokia really did a great job simplifying App development to gain wider audience in no time, this practice can be improved as well.
We will improve our mobile presence soon releasing a full fledged iPhone application as well, with more features.
Stay Fashionably Mobile
From the Barbie Collection by Aiisha Ramadan
To give you a little insight on what I did with the Barbie collection, I chose to keep Barbie as I love it and as most of all love it too. Simple, cute, trendy and mostly pink! The fabrics were top quality Raw Silk, layers and layers of Italian Tulle to achieve the gradience I was looking for.
From the Barbie Collection by Aiisha Ramadan
However, to incorporate the cultural element, I hand-embroidered and CRYSTALLIZED™ – by Swarovski Elements Arabic calligraphy portraying words that speak to every kid. Simple words such as Youth, Beauty, Playing, Hope and so on, all in Arabic.
Remember what Queen Rania says.. “If you educate a girl, you educate a future”. This is one little way of contributing from my side and its just the beginning.
Thank you Zahrat Al Khaleej!
Like I mentioned before, Evian initiated a Live Younger campaign in Dubai following their most watched Ad video (Over 22 million viewers till this post date) on You Tube (Evian Roller Babies)
Evian asked Dubai’s top designers to recreate the Evian Live Younger T-Shirt, and it was showcased at the Dubai Fashion Week that recently took place and auctioned the T-Shirts for the benefit of Dubai Cares, whose project for 2010 is to secure clean drinking water for children in schools globally.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to the show where my T-shirt was the show’s opener but I heard that mine was the favorite of many as it incorporated the Aiisha’s favorite elements, sexy romance, ruffles and powder tones. Other designers did some really cool job as well.
Evian Live Young Campaign
Auction was held at the trendy Carbon 12 Gallery in Al-Quoz
Aiisha's Evian Live Young T-Shirt on DFW 2010 Catwalk
Aiisha Evian T-Shirt @ the auction
It was interesting to be at the Galeries Lafayette fashion show and have my hand on Desert Fish which had the below full page:
Aiisha Ramadan in Desert Fish
In terms of content, again, I speak my mind about fashion in Dubai and how it should and can get better.
Ahlan! Hot 100: Style Icons
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.
The Ahlan! Hot 100 Supplement is Free with Ahlan! Magazine and Masala this week, pick up your copy today, plus you can read more about the event on AhlanLive.com and http://www.ahlanlive.com/hot-100-people-style-icons
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
Videographers
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.
| No. | Song | Artist | |
| 01 | Ivyhouse | Saint Etienne | |
| 02 | Je Ne Sais Qui Fumer | Paris Combo | |
| 03 | Je M’amuse | Caravan Palace | |
| 04 | La Vie En Rose | Goldfinga | |
| 05 | Ain’t No Sunshine (Benny Blanco Remix) | Michael Jackson | |
| 06 | Poisson Rouge | Saint Privat | |
| 07 | Comme Un Hic | Jenifer | |
| 08 | Being Bad | Bitter:Sweet | |
| 09 | Drum Rhythm | Koop | |
| 10 | Sirènes de la Fête | Brazilian Girls | |
| 11 | Contact | Brigitte Bardot | |
| 12 | Hurt | Parov Stelar | |
| 13 | Decide Toi | Rouge Rouge | |
| 14 | Ou Est La Femme? | Louise Vertigo | |
| 15 | Fleur Blanche | Orsten | |
|
FInale |
|||
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!
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.
To complete the designer circle, Evian had their Jean-Paul Gaultier high end bottles at our Love Affair
My eternal partner.. Thank you for offering us the branding: made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements
For me Swarovski is like the stars that shine in the dark sky. Thank you
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!
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..
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..
Press
Every writer, reporter, journalist, blogger be it positive or negative (and it was truly positive), THANK YOU!
Our friends, family and the working team behind “Aiisha”.. thank you for your continuous support. I love you!
Show’s Finale -- My favorite photo:
- posted on 25/08/2010 23:17:55
disgusting manners.. That's why there're bins!! - posted on 12/08/2010 23:07:03