Dubai witnesses Fashion Forward!

The first season of Fashion Forward took place here in Dubai, with an exciting calendar of fashion shows, industry talks, fashion gallery, social events and more. If you are into fashion, you'd be as happy as I am (and I'm sure as many other designers in Dubai) that something of this sort is finally taking place in the region.

I was super excited to attend and see what this event is all about. Promised to be a "Fashion Movement", I think Fashion Forward is a great platform to kick-start the positive growth of the fashion industry in this region. As a first season, this event proved to be a successful PR and Social activity for the industry. I am sure that with time we will get to know and see the positive trade affects it had over designers who were part of season one. 

Michael Cinco

Congratulations to the team behind Fashion Forward. A special congratulations to fellow designers who wow'd the crowd with their work. 

Tahir Sultan

Amato

Zayan

My personal favorites were: from the Pret-a-Porter designers, Tahir Sultan and Zayan; from couture, Michael Cinco and Amato. Below are some images of what I wore at the 3-Day event. 

Tuxedo Jacket from new MAISON RANA
SS13 Collection

Top, MAISON RANA, SS13

Top, MAISON RANA, SS13

With the fabulous Amato

Great event shared with good friends

Chanel's "Little Black Jacket" comes to Dubai!

When Mademoiselle Chanel first created the little black jacket, her intentions were personal. Today, this creation is a phenomena in the fashion world. Little did she know that this jacket will be a reference in our world for eternal style and complex interpretation, becoming the least an icon!

Well, Karl Lagerfeld revisited this classic design, creating a project of photography, showcasing Chanel's values of creativity, modernity and excellence. "The Little Black Jacket" photographic exhibition toured the world, from Tokyo, New York, Paris, to Milan and Berlin. It is now in Dubai!

If you are in the city, you have to visit this exhibition. For me, it resulted in great inspiration! Karl Lagerfeld, the genius that he is of course, shares his original photographs that illustrates the versatility and timelessness of this iconic jacket. Even if you put aside the fact that it dressed models, actors, artists and socialites, the idea of showcasing that little black jacket's "personalities" is perfection.

Yoko Ono, SJP, Diane Kruger, Carla Bruni, Carol Bouquet
 are some of the personalities in
Lagerfeld's Little Black Jacket Exhibition

I loved every single corner in this exhibition. It was a breath of fresh air to have the chance to be so inspired and wow'd. You will too when you go! The exhibition is open from April 27th to May 11th, 2013 at The Venue in the gorgeous Downtown Dubai area, next to Burj Khalifa. It is for sure a MUST SEE!

Outside the exhibition hall,
here I'm wearing a long top from
the new MAISON RANA SS13 Collection

The Little Black Jacket book was the perfect addition
on my coffee table!

Adventures with Textile Design...

As most of you have noticed, I am not a big fan of print when designing for my label, MAISONRANA®. Personally, I wear very little print, not because I don't like them, but for some reason, I feel awkward in them. I am in love with designs that have a single print in them...something right there in the centre, where the focus accentuates the style of the piece versus a whole lot of color.

But my perception changed when I got hold of this fabulous book "Textile Design" by Simon Clarke. 

I always knew that this is a science on its own, but the beauty of this book is that it gives you a new appreciation to designing a print! I loved how the introduction takes you through the history of print design, and later on in the book, it takes you through design principles, creating a print collection, woven textile design and mixed media textile design. In short, if you are into designing, be it fashion, accessories, or textiles, this is a great book to read...and learn from. I have to say, after reading this book, I feel more confident venturing into prints! Let me know your thoughts if you felt the same way after reading this book.

MAISON RANA® shares on Instagram

Yes, the word is out, I've finally caved in and got myself an account on Instagram. Honestly, with so many social platforms out there, I was not sure of the added value that I can get. And I was SO WRONG! I'm in-love with Instagram and love how I can instantly share amazing images that tell a clearer story of my life, what I love, what inspires me...and more! I'm hooked on Twitter and not here comes this platform to my life :)

Check it out, like us, share your comments, and tell us what you think...

Our handle is @MaisonRana

What is Hedi Slimane up to?

Sorry for not posting much recently! But I wanted to come back with something that really intrigued me, and hopefully will do the same for you!

Have you all had the chance to see the Saint Laurent A/W13 fashion show at PFW? If you haven't, you definitely should!

So here's what dazzles my mind: what is Slimane up to?? 

I was shocked and disappointed with the collection, but felt like I was the only one to feel so with all the positive images that streamed on Instagram and the tens of tweets that congratulated the designer...until I read the article on The Business of Fashion (BOF), that my initial feelings were affirmed! (You can read it on the link here: http://www.businessoffashion.com/2013/03/what-to-make-of-saint-laurent.html?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=f1cb51aa59-&utm_medium=email)

I believe that designers hired into major fashion houses should push their design ideas, aesthetic, dreams out to the light, but definitely without totally ignoring the essence and the soul of the fashion house they work for. Reinterpreting the personality of the fashion house is key...and there are amazing examples of that today.

But the drastic movement away from the classy, unique, dreamy and extremely stylish YSL to grungy "California inspired" collection is incomprehensible.  Don't get me wrong, Slimane has created a beautiful collection, but not a Saint Laurent one, in my opinion. Its perfect for another label...definitely a high street one. Even if you go back to his first Saint Laurent show (the one where the models wore cowboy, showcased below),  I feel that although it was different, some of the designs were his special way of interpreting the legendary YSL. 

It was an interesting interpretation. But this A/W13 collection is truly something else. As mentioned in the BOF article, it is "commercially lucrative" for sure, but is it the right direction for the fashion house to go into??

I know that many might not agree with me, but I can't wait to see if this was a stunt or a true disregard to the heritage of the house of YSL. Only time will tell!

The "Made In" Discussion..

Few days ago, I read this interesting article on www.NotJustALabel.com about the real value of the words: "Made in". Click HERE to read the article, by Maxwell McBride Peterson, you will surely like it.

The beauty about this piece is the long-debated internal battle of the fashion industry: Keeping domestic production versus external sourcing in countries such as China, Bangladesh, India and Cambodia. The perfect example of the battle of the buck again! And sure, in recent years, this battle has died down with the increase of transportation costs and taxes, pushing the industry to come back to the local production option. The local became an option again, although many worldwide brands still use the Asia as a production partner. 

Although at this stage, I'm still not battling the option of China versus local production, this article made me think: What is the true consumer point of view and the real value of "Made in..." in this part of the world??

This label "Made in..." has helped many women "identify" quality. Basically, if it says "Made in Italy", for example, then it definitely means better quality. Right? This is what has been the norm. And so, this was the platform where women "knew" their own clothes. But with the further use of Asia as a production route, the association of quality with the label became selective. If its a certain luxury label, then the association is forgiven! However, there's no forgiveness if it was a young designer label, locally made, because it doesn't justify its retail price!

Personally, I have no issue with that mentality at all, although I don't agree with it. However, I truly believe that women should "know" their clothes well, not only by checking the label, but by also depending on their senses! The quality of the fabric, the cut, the precision of the tailoring, the draping, the trim quality...All these are things that can indicate the quality of the item or not. This point, in my opinion, is the unique selling point of young labels today, justifying the prices. With quality raw material used, quality tailoring, and the fact that its limited in quantity, young designer labels give the consumer today the option of getting something unique, limited in quantity, and locally made. But the big burden is also on the consumer: don't fall for young or existing labels because of popularity. Fall for them because of its style and importantly, its quality. 

Fashion Week "Month"!

I bet you all read tens of articles about the amazing month of September 2012 and the avalanche of styles and trends that are coming our way next season. September is one of my favorite months. Other than the great anticipation of the Vogue September issue that I absolutely adore...September hosts my favorite fashion season. The fact that I live in a warm country could be the reason...but for sure, there is no deny how amazing fashion is usually revealed during this month.

This is not a recap of NYFW, MFW or PFW. There are experts who do that better than me. However, as a designer, and mostly as a woman in love with fashion, there are three main points I would love to share with you all:

1- Its not only about Clothes!

This was well said by the lovely shoesanddrama.com! Click HERE and check out the amazing article that highlights main activities during that fashion week and how they have gone beyond the clothes. Today, they take us into the world of inspiration, the fantasy, the beauty of design. I absolutely LOVE how Kenzo created a gigantic floral backdrop for their show, Rick Owens's foam filled runway, or Chanel's gigantic turbines that rocked the show with energy.

2- Ralph Rucci did it again!

As some of you may know, I am a HUGE fan of the amazing Ralph Rucci. This designer has been my inspiration and his work, craftsmanship, technique, detailing and simple minimalism has been my guidance to design. As usual, his show as Chado by Ralph Rucci SS13 in NYFW was the highlight for me. From structure, inspiration, cuts to tailoring, every detail of every design is a piece of the magnificent Rucci. He succeeded in "wow"ing everyone again with his simplicity of lines. Definitely a MUST HAVE next season for me.

3- Gianfranco Ferré is back!

Although this is only their 3rd show together (I believe), Stefano Citron and Federico Piaggi have brought back the House of Ferré to its feet again, leading the pact as one of the best shows at MFW. Their attempt to perpetuate the essence of the House of Ferré succeeded! The collection combined, in my opinion, the MOST trends we have seen on the runway for the season: the geometric panels, the draping, the relaxed tailoring and the best sleek monochrome palette! What a gorgeous collection of streamlined silhouettes with the best implementation of modern and futuristic cuts. Absolute genius!

How to make it in the fashion industry?

I have been asked many times about the perfect recipe to the Fashion world. Is there one? There sure is! Since my label is still young, I can only say that from my experience so-far, its a combination of many things, starting off with HARD WORK!

There is a statement I vividly remember reading from one of my favorite books (more like a fashion bible) "The Fashion Designer Survival Guide" by Mary Gehler; the statement is from the great Diane Von Furstenberg: "Fear is not an option... Go for it!". So my first tip before you start is: If you're doing this for the glamour, forget it! Forget the runway shows and red carpet celebrities. The fashion world requires hard work, discipline, perseverance and most importantly passion. If you have that, then Go for it!

I recently read 2 articles from two of my favorite magazines, Fustany.com and VogueUK, about tips and advice on how to start your own fashion label. I suggest you read them; there's so much good information, which I'm sure will be of great help. Click on the links below:

Fustany's "The Secrets of becoming a Successful Fashion Designer"

Vogue UK's "Fashion designers advice to new labels"

So, some of my tips would be:

1. Be ready for HARD WORK. Fashion is about passion, but it is also a business.
2. Research, Research, Research: know your product, know your customer, find your niche, create a good business plan, research suppliers, research fashion trends..to name a few.
3. Know your business: If you are a fashion designer, you have to know how to design AND how to implement. You need to know the ins and outs of your work, and the best way to do so is to make it yourself. I'm not saying you have to be a good tailor (it takes years of experience to master that) but knowledge of it is key. It will help you design better, create a better product, brief your suppliers better, manage production standards and quality control.
4. Always ask around. There's no shame in asking if you don't know something. Also, be very well read and always keep yourself up-to-date.
5. Marketing & PR should be your best friends

Good luck and welcome to our world :)

Thank you Carolina!

I have been so blessed to get the chance to meet a lovely blogger, whom I'm proud to call a friend. Carolina Ogliaro, http://the-world-c.blogspot.it/, is someone I truly admire and love to read her posts regularly. Here's a BIG thank you to her for her great post on the new A/W12 Collection and for her continuous love and support. Thank you gorgeous xxx

Thank you Mahryska.com!

"MAISON RANA ROCKS" is the title of this amazing post by one of my favorite UAE based bloggers, Mariyah Gaspacho. Check out her full article on our upcoming A/W12 collection, OPES. Absolutely love it!!

Blogger: Mariyah Gaspacho
www.mahryska.com
Issue: 27 June 2012
http://www.mahryska.com/?p=11455