Abayas

In the Middle Eastern countries where "abayas"  are the standard outfits worn at all times by the women, fashion designers are always working hard to come up with ideas which will set their abayas apart from the ordinary run of the mill ones worn by all. Based on the demands of their niche market, the high end designers create long and flowing abayas in expensive fabrics with embellishments and cuts to enhance the beauty of the wearer. The latest trend seen in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries are chiffon kaftans worn over fashionable abayas.

So here I have decided to give out some free advice for all my Muslim gal pals out there about looking your best even while wearing Islamic clothes like abayas and hijabs. The first thing that you should be conscious about being a Muslim is to always pick out outfits that are modest and do not allow any sort of inappropriate exposure of the body. It is completely untrue that women wearing abayas lack fashion sense, are dumb or boring. Wearing abayas and hijabs that are styled in vogue, flattering cuts and in complimentary colours can make you appear chic, stylish and modest.

The chiffon kaftans when worn over silken abayas create a look of mystique and give the wearer and air of charisma. However, they can also be worn with cotton ones depending on the weather they are worn in. Although most women choose to wear the same coloured kaftan as the abaya , but contrasting colours can also be used to create a unique and exclusive look.

Black and other dark coloured kaftans such as navy blue, red and bronze can be worn over abayas to give them a more formal look particularly when attending weddings and other evening parties. In order to create an added layer of sheer elegance during daytime events these chiffon add-ons can be worn in light colours such as off white, pink and lemon yellow. Green and blue coloured kaftans can be used for all events by selecting hues which not only compliment your skin tone but also is suitable for the tie of the day they are going to be worn.

Muslim women and girls are not diffrent, and even they equally love to dress up in nice and vibrant colours for various occasions. Therefore there is need for clothes which is always on an increase for them. Regardless of the conservative arabic culture, religion or socio-economic situationmost of the female population of the muslim world loves to pick out new outfits and colour coordinate their abayas for all social gatherings. Being a girl myself, I can vouch for the fact that fashion is modest and for success. This is a great motto to live by! At the same time, being a Muslim I have to bear in mind the shariah guidelines of Islam when it comes to picking out a jilbab or an abaya to wear to work or party.

By reinterpreting elements from the western designer fashions and the rich cultural and Islamic heritage of her background, abaya designs with pure indulgence in fabrics and textures with a twist of modern appeal.

This has attracted and generated a complete new deprived segment of the market and their designs are now embraced by young students to business professionals from all over the world- all of these women all have one thing in mind…modesty!

Salwar Suits

Sensuality is an attitude that can be expressed well with a civilized "salwar suits". Since, suits have always been a part of fashion and trend has called for innovations. That’s the reason; fashion designers are creating masterpieces of casual salwar kameez to make a woman look decent. Whether Salwar In Casual Looks   is about a young girl, middle aged woman or an old lady, this dress tends to cover every body in elegant style. All it matters is the color combination, designs and patterns meant for a particular age group. It is quite understood that a halter neck or deep cuts would not suit an old aged lady. This enabled the designers and “boutique“to keep a track of it.
The purchase of clothes for any woman is a task that is carried out with a lot of consideration. To a woman, every item of clothing that belongs to her is an irreplaceable asset. Clothes are brought not just for one time wear, but with a view at long time investment. In such a scenario, printed salwar suits sets are the perfect option for smart women. The beautiful  emphasises the charms of any woman who wears them.

The breathtaking range come in exquisite designs and patterns guaranteed to suit the requirements of even the most demanding customers. The high quality fabrics ensure that you are comfortable even under the worst of weather conditions. Traditional patterns and motifs in printed salwar sets appeal to customers with a more conservative sensibility whereas those who are bolder can opt for funkier prints. One can easily find printed salwar  sets for every occasion. The printed salwar sets are categorized to make it easy for you to shop. Fancy party wear, regular wear, bridal wear or multipurpose printed salwar sets can easily be found at our site.
The elegant cotton  have a superior look and are made by expert craftsmen who ensure that each set has a one of a kind design. A lot of the printed salwar kameez sets have gorgeous embellishments that give a richer look to the finished product. The prints on the sets are vibrant and glorify the charm of women. The tasteful prints flatter women of all ages.

 These days, Salwar suits In Casual Looks have started coming in various styles. Patiala, Afghani, simple Punjabi and with or without belt are some of the in-things in the world of salwar kameez. When it comes to wearing them on casual basis, what matters most is the subtle prints and comfortable fabric. Some of the favorite fabrics for casual wear are cotton, semi-crepe, crepe, georgette and chiffon. Though, spun and silk are used in winters because of the warmth in fabric. To add beauty to a casual salwar kameez, prints and light embroideries help a lot. In fact, they enhance the simplicity of the dress.

The modern women are quite creative with salwar suits and they tend to incorporate their ideas in designing the piece. From necklines to cuts on the borders, designer arms, innovative work on salwar, stylish laces on dupattas and addition of contrast cloth piece are few of the innovations that have made salwar kameez a hot favorite for a casual wear. These days, the trend of wearing short length kameez with salwar is a rage. And this has stylized the overall personality of salwar suits.

Spring/Summer Fashion Trends

 

The warm season comes with an array of dazzling, solar, bright colors, delicious tangerine hues, explosions of flowers, sweet, innocent whites and nudes, flowing cuts and soft fabrics, eternal denim items, and various daring combinations that exude femininity and sophistication. Spring/summer 2011 fashion trends are extremely complex and bold, yet stylish and chic. Take a look to some of the hottest elements for the upcoming season and get ready to energize and update your wardrobe!

New season requires new trends! It's time we upgrade our wardrobe as spring/summer 2011 fashion trends are here with a playful, fun and energetic vibe.

An amazing burst of bright colors, a wide palette of delicious tangerine, explosion of flowers, an optimistic feel of the '70s, innocent white lace and pure second-skin shades, timeless denim, versatile crisp white shirts, and flowing maxi dresses are among the hottest trends for the warm season that is just around the corner.
During spring everything comes to life, even our dull winter wardrobe. If during the cold season we are not so daring when it comes to wearing vibrant colors, summer instead is perfect for trying fruity, delicious shades. Well, spring/summer 2011 fashion trends make no exception as they come with a riot of brights brightening up our boring outfits. After the famous camel, it is time for tangerine to spice up your wardrobe. This season don't be afraid to break all fashion rules and mix dazzling bright colors at ease. On the other hand, if you are not sure the "color blocking" trend suits you, wear a dress in a candy color or pair brights with neutrals.

For romantic girls who are not so much into brights, designers proposed nude and the already classic white, two graceful colors that flawlessly add a fresh, innocent, yet feminine vibe to a summer look. The boho, adorable touch brought by a white clothing item is emphasized by the fabrics and details used such as lace, crochet and macramé. Second-skin colors are so hot for spring/summer 2011 as long as you choose the most flattering shade for your skin complexion. However, if you don't want a head-to-toe nude look, try to adorn your dress with cute black bows such as spotted at Jill Stuart. So feminine and pure!

Lovely flowers already became a timeless print and they add a vibrant and youthful flair. Spring/summer 2011 cannot make exception and designers brought a wide range of floral prints to add a playful feel to our wardrobe. Liberty, Asian-inspired, or tropical, get ready to see a real explosion of floral prints for the upcoming season. Maxi dresses, shorts, blouses, footwear, and different accessories are all beautifully embellished by chic, romantic floral prints. Besides flowers, bold graphic stripes or animal prints are the opposite of all adorable details and great if you want a wilder approach.
Among the riot of different fashion trends, we can also find a special '70-inspired vibe. We have seen the trend at Marc Jacobs through amazing '70s dresses, Just Cavalli through captivating patchworks, Anna Sui with round-shaped sunglasses, knitted shorts and denim vests, and Derek Lam through extremely stylish flared jeans worn with crisp white shirts. Well, since we are speaking of jeans, you should know that denim is back again for spring/summer 2011. Moreover, it seems that the head-to-toe denim look is so hot for the upcoming season.

The warm season means comfortable outfits and soft, breezy fabrics. Therefore, designers came with appropriate pieces in order to meet all your expectations. Maxi, flowing dresses and fashionable jumpsuits are some of the items that were so trendy last summer, yet they made a strong comeback in 2011. For chic, elegant appearances, but also for more effortless, laid-back looks, you should know that the white shirt is one key item that can be paired with feminine skirts, loose jeans, or sexy shorts. Despite its simplicity, the classic white shirt proved it's versatility and elegance, while designers came with a wide range of white shirts and various stylish combinations.

Spring/Summer Maxi Trends

'Maxi' is the key word for the upcoming warm season, describing the already famous ground-skimming dresses, but also long skirts and elegant jumpsuits. There are breezy, sheer fabrics and a riot of dazzling colors, romantic florals, and sexy animal prints. Besides, the eternal, old faithful white is back again proving that its classic beauty and sophistication will never go out of style. Take a look at some of the hottest spring/summer 2011 maxi trends.

Spring can definitely be felt in the air. And with the warm season just around the corner, it's time to invest into a beautiful maxi dress. There is no doubt that when it comes to the maxi trend, whether it's a dress, skirt or jumpsuit, these items can be a real knockout. We have fallen in love with floor-sweepers as these are exactly what we need during hot summer days. They are utterly romantic and feminine regardless the occasion. Wear them at the beach, in the park, at festivals and cocktail parties.

 

This season's catwalks were an explosion of flowing maxis. Among a riot of floral and wild animal prints, there is the classic white and second-skin shades that can make you get the wow-factor despite their apparent simplicity. Spotted at Dolce & Gabbana, Antonio Marras, Tommy Hilfiger, white is the best choice when the heat outside becomes rather unbearable, proving once again that it can be as effective as a bright color. Besides, you can also opt for nude alternatives as seen at Max Azria and Ports 1961.

The maxi trend proved to be very adaptable, being reinvented season after season. If what you want is to step out of the box and try something bolder, then the splash of dazzling brights should be your source of inspiration. The catwalks were full of boldly clashing combinations that seem to break all fashion rules. Extravagant and fascinating maxi dresses, skirt and jumpsuits in bright colors were spotted at Jil Sander, Paul & Joe, Issa and Sonya Rykiel, among others. Or, if the occasion requires something more elegant and colorful, make a special entrance in bold red by Lanvin or Valentino.

Now, for spring/summer 2011 maxi trend we can speak about two extremes. First, there is the oh-so-romantic and adorable version with sweet floral prints seen on maxi dresses, skirts and jumpsuits (D&G, Etro, Ralph Lauren, Rebecca Taylor, Erdem). Sweet, chic and utterly modern, the long dresses with cute florals are gently floating around the body expressing maximum femininity and an eternal bohemian flair. On the other hand, there is the wild, sexy side with the already famous leopard print (Just Cavalli, Blumarine), which represents your best ticket for a wow-factor entrance. Instead, if you are not so much into floral or animal prints, you can always try graphic or ethnic patterns (Emilio Pucci, Luca Luca).

Urban Eco Fashion - Junky Styling

Junky Styling

Junky Styling, a new East End London store founded by Anni Saunders and Kerry Seager. An eco epicurean fashion boutique based on the joys of clothing recycling, Junky Styling has gained an international mystic with its creative one-off styles.

Junky Styling

Saunders and Seager are not designers by training but rather stumbled into designing while making their own clothes to save money for traveling. The originality and freshness of their designs plus the environmental friendliness of recycling clothing quickly popped them into eco fashion awareness.

Junkystyling2_1Saunders and Seager have developed a design style based upon their destroy, repair, enhance, and reform approach which they call “Wardrobe Surgery”. They take old, recycled, donated clothing and deconstruct it by removing parts of it such as sleeves, lapels or panels and then reconstruct the remaining bits by moving seams, reassembling sleeves as leggings, or perhaps a sleeve turns into a torso when opened out. And then they might add bits of details such as ruffles on shirts and cuffs on trousers from other recycled clothes. Saunders and Seager might become the Picassos of eco fashion.

Junky Styling

Junkystyling1Clients and customers of Junky Styling range from young eco warriors to matronly art society ladies searching for the new “look.” While Junky Styling closely embraces recycling, one of the touchstones of the environmental movement, Seager has stated “we are obviously eco friendly but our main drive was to create and produce beautiful clothing.” We are beginning to find more and more environmental principles being incorporated into fashions and other industries.

Junky Styling

Saunders and Seager are not the only designers incorporating environmental and recycling principals into their fashions. New York’s Miguel Adrover has added ammunition belts to ladies fashions to emphasize the plight of indigenous tribes fighting for their lands in the Amazon rainforests and being forced out by American oil companies. Miguel Adrover has also used recycled fabrics such as an old Louis Vuitton handbag to create a mini-skirt and plaids found at flea markets in some of his big New York shows.
Well, I´m going on vacations... A big "green" hugh for everybody!

Deep Plunge Bandeau Monokini

Bandeau Monokini

You will sparkle like a princess in this stunning deep plunge monokini swimsuit. The original and unique design of this stunning one piece is beautifully adorned with blue beads along the edge.

Bandeau Monokini

Bandeau Monokini

    * Fully lined bandeau top ties around the neck and closes with a clasp in the back
    * Exquisite deep plunge features blue stones for added touch of luxury
    * Bottoms offer moderate coverage

the IT Jacket

IT Jacket

 For Fall a jacket is the finishing piece to your look. A shorter cut, a bit of texture, and a ruffle collar are all details that can jump start your next look. Just think of all the outfits one jacket can inspire. Better yet, think about what two could do. Whether you’re wearing jeans, or dressed for work a small jacket is the perfect way to add some individuality and personality to your whole look.

IT Jacket

      Some advice: Pick a color that contrasts the colors your wearing with it. Let the jacket accentuate your overall look. Don’t be afraid to play with different textures and colors, and don’t be afraid to wear your jacket on top of other layers. The jacket is perfect for Fall because the Fall weather requires something light but at the same time warm.

IT Jacket

  So, next time you walk out the door this Fall, don’t forget to easily add style to your look with your signature jacket!

Pre Fall

Pre Fall

Without reading the designers’ names, a glance at the Pre-Fall runways and presentations would leave many women visualizing their own closets. Luxury designers such as Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg and Ports 1961 showed off classic separates that were worth the investment. Perhaps a reaction to the economy, even designers such as Michael Kors left their designs simple and fresh, and easy for everyday wear.

Pre Fall

The always-glamorous Fendi revealed a casual side with light neutrals and a pair of trousers that resembled jeans in its Pre-Fall. Sassy separates – brown suede skirts or cropped tweed jackets – filled the small collection of only 16 looks. Special occasion wear, which is usually associated with the Italian powerhouse, was traded for every occasion wear. Fendi fit a couple showstoppers in: a blue silk gown and an off-the-shoulder black number that looked as if inspired by classic film sirens.
Women first got busy in the workplace in the ‘70s, and what better way to celebrate our independence than to channel the decade? Diane von Furstenberg did just that in her Pre-Fall show. Colors such as mustard, turquoise and chocolate mixed and matched with psychedelic print shift dresses.

Pre Fall

Celebrating 50 years in the business, Ports 1961 commemorated its work in womenswear with a cohesive collection that realistically portrayed the wardrobe of today. Suits, cocktail dresses, oversized trousers and a couple of gowns made the list of 28 ensembles. Although every lady wishes she could wear a silk mini 24/7, Ports 1961 dominated Pre-Fall with what working women really need: a great suit. Whether it’s monochromatic or an eclectic look, Ports 1961 had a million ways to glam up a day-to-day wardrobe using beautifully textured coats, silk blouses, interesting knits and modern construction.

Coats Fall

Coats Fall

This NY fashion week I was on a mission to find the ultimate "It" piece in each designer's collection, and Tory Burch didn't make my job easy. Why? Because her Fall 2011 was full of gems, screaming "wear me now" jackets and dresses. But there was one look that stood out - the gorgeous wool coat with a fur collar - something that I noticed the moment of walking into the room full of editors, guests and the one and only - Tory's biggest celebrity fan - Kanye West.

Coats Fall

Tory Burch is always one of the shows I'm looking forward to at NY fashion week, both because I genuinely love her clothes, accessories - everything she does, and would wear it any time, but also because it always feels like a celebration. The presentation format allows closer look into the details, and enough time to explore (and twitpic!) them, as well as socialize and chat with other guests, which also Tory herself does so well!

Coats Fall

I had a chance to personally express my feelings towards her collection and even meet Tory's cute boys that were there to support their mom. As always, she couldn't be more down to earth and friendly - definitely one of my favorite people in this industry! Now enough emotions and back to my "job" - I can guarantee this tweed coat will be "It" as soon as the temperatures in NYC sky drop down to their 40s comes fall. Until then - check out the full collection on ELLE.com and start planning your wardrobe investments for next season!

Elegant semi cover swimwear

Elegant and modest with the gorgeous swimsuits collection of SeaSecret.
Modest "Haute couture" makes its show on the beach.

"Feminine and chic bandeau style two-piece swimsuit adorned with a stylish center accessory.

The exquisite details on the top complemented by the flattering European style bottoms and the subtle ruching on the hips will naturally enhance your beauty and show off your curves."

CALIFORNIA new modest bathing suits

bathing suits

It is one piece, slimming and stylish.
It is accompanied by a cyclist and matching scarf.

bathing suits

bathing suits

bathing suits

The CALIFORNIA allows you to fully appreciate the elegance of the beach, water sports and excursions.

bathing suits

The bra is integrated into swimwear.

Highlights From Russian Fashion Week Spring/ Summer

Russia might have lost the world domination power, but not the drama. Red and fur are still ruling the trends (even on Spring runways),

Russian Fashion 

Russian Fashion

Russian Fashion

Russian Fashion

Russian Fashion

with occasional splashes of modern western influences. Check out the creations by Slava Zaitsev, Dasha Gauzer, Pajaro and Stella Ndombi, shown in Moscow this week.