You can now shop for Aiisha high end pret-a-porter pieces in Wafi Center at VALLEYDEZ.
VALLEYDEZ specializes in hand picked designer clothes from all around the world and that might not be available in other places in the Middle East. This funky boutique is colorful and is like its name, The Valley of Designers.
Enjoy your shopping!
Sunday, the 4th April, was the first live interaction on my blog and it happened to be with Chris Hassall, the Global External Relations Officer of Procter & Gamble. It was basically a comment/ question from his side and an answer from my side discussing blogs, its importance and its relevance to the Arab world.
On that night, I met with the team of P&G and of course with Chris. I enjoyed every minute of it and I specifically appreciated the ideas Chris and I exchanged. These ideas will soon be reflected on my blog. It’s always amazing to see things from a male’s perspective..
Chris Hassall, Aiisha Ramadan and Yassin Attas
P&G is actually a very active organization when it comes to charity and volunteering. One of their main products (PUR Water Filteration) is one that cleans any contaminated water and makes it drinkable. During the Haiti disaster for example, they gave away what was enough for much more than 300,000 people to drink for 90 days. To know more about PUR, visit http://tiny.cc/kg3s4, and Pur Water.
Having said that, from a fashion perspective, the brand “Aiisha” has few charity projects already in process and to be revealed very soon. Once of which is already in the very latest Emirates Women magazine under the topic of Fashion with a Heart.
Evian hosted the first water tasting event in the region with Dominique Laporte, who is the best Sommelier in France. The weather was fantastic as the event took place on the ‘O’ De Squisito boat at the creek in Dubai.
EVIAN Team and Aiisha Ramadan
When it comes to water, I’m a heavy drinker. Don’t know if its the heat of the UAE or maybe a biological thing, but water is my best friend. I’m like a fish!
I learned a lot about water that day, I never knew that still water prepares the palate to receive food and sparkling makes the taste brighter. We identified interesting characteristics of different brands when Monsieur Dominique let us taste unlabeled glasses of water, by tasting the water or after sampling some food. It was really an interesting experience!
I later figured out that Evian was my water of choice, as I chose it from an unlabeled glass.
Cheers
Stephanie Khoury!
Stephanie Khoury
As per the below post, we had the competition of the one off piece designed by me for Camay’s Pink scent running on Hellwa Fashion. Many great photos were submitted, it was difficult to chose a favorite. However, Stephanie’s look grabbed my attention from the first time I saw her picture with her Louboutins and mini dress (and you know how short my dresses can get swaying on my catwalks). Its sassy, sexy and mostly – Pink!
More competitions will follow and we’ll be announced shortly.
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 | |
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FInale |
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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:
Preview Video of “A Love Affair” collection in glorious HD
Credits:
Aiisha Ramadan – Fashion Designs
Victoria Casal – Jewelery Designs
Manolo Blahnik – Shoes
All 4 Media – Video Production
Parov Stellar – Hurt – Soundtrack
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.
Grazia Magazine
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.
Paris in Aiisha Design