Covering Zobaida Akkari’s Debut Photo-shoot

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Cloud of Lace has not only been a space for me to voice out to the world my passions for all those wonderful little things around me, it has also been a portal where I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, of whom I’m extremely excited to showcase for you! Today I was thrilled to cover Zobaida Akkari‘s photo-shoot of her debut collection… That is, her very first, ever!

Beirut’s weather was perfectly costume-made for a photo-shoot: Sunny with just the right amount of clouds, cool windy breeze, and clear air. The chosen locale was an urban seaside open space.

By 11am, Zobaida was so nervous, had minimal sleep and no breakfast (which was resolved by some take-away croissants), her car was stuffed with all the combinations of outfits the model has to wear, and was still reviewing last-minute changes! But the best part was that despite the nervousness secondary to her debuting her first pieces, this energetic designer kept her fun-spirit and wit all along, making her crew comfortable, and the whole shooting day a very fun experience!

Zobaida Akkari for Cloud of Lace

She ought to be modeling her own pieces ;)

Her items consist of creatively distinguished blazers and shirts. The combination of their design, colors and fabric, made each item a signature piece.

I’ll be introducing this promising upcoming fashion designer, her line, style and future plans at an interview post, and will leave you now to behind-the-scenes images featuring her very first photo-shoot :)

It wasn't easy to pose because of the winds

It wasn’t easy to pose because of the winds.

Zobaida Akkari for Cloud of Lace

Zobaida Akkari for Cloud of Lace

Zobaida Akkari for Cloud of Lace

& look who we've met during the day!

& look who we’ve met during the day!

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Oh, & did I mention that Miss Akkari has an impressive collection of Louboutins? I know you’ll love her! ;)

A beautiful compilation of a couple of blazers & a Loubs

A compilation of two beautiful blazers & a Loubs

At-Home Remedies: Hair’s Protein Shake

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Illustration by HariTHanD

Illustration by HariTHanD

As we all know, our hair is made up of proteins, which makes it so fragile if over-exposed to sun, chemicals, styling and pollution… My hair has had its own ups & downs, but I’ve always managed to keep it healthy, shiny and strong by repairing it with an array of masks. Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions on how do I manage to keep my hair as rich in volume and healthy as it is, even though I brush it on a daily basis. So here’s the secret, a fine old recipe: Hair’s protein shake. It makes wonders- literally!

For a long hair, you’ll need:

- 3 egg yolks, discard the whites

- 200 g of mayonnaise

- 1 medium-sized avocado

Method:

  1. Mash the avocado in a bowel,
  2. Add the egg yolks, mix thoroughly
  3. Add the mayonnaise, and mix until smooth
  4. Apply this home-made conditioner from roots to ends, then
  5. Wrap your head in a plastic wrap, and
  6. Place a hot towel on top of it.

Leave for 30 minutes then rinse the hair with cool water.

The result: By feeding your damaged hair over its favorite food, it becomes volumous, super-shiny and silky. All these scream ‘HEALTHY!’

This post’s beautiful illustration is by HariTHanD.

Beirut Art Beat

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beirut Art Beat

On March 18th, Dubai will be hosting another fab event, Beirut Art Beat! The three-days exhibition will feature pioneering Lebanese designers from different fields: Jewelry, clothing, decor, photography, and painting.

Beirut Art Beat will be open to the public, so mark your calendars you people of Dubai and neighboring cities! Other than getting to view and purchase marvelous pieces of Lebanese art, there will be opportunities to take part in a variety of exciting activities, like lectures and talks being held by the designers themselves. An arts and crafts workshop will also be held on Thursday 21st, which welcomes the whole family to participate!

Check out Beirut Art Beat‘s Facebook page for the list of participating Lebanese Designers, and event’s schedule.

 

Middle East’s Fashion Forward

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Fashion Forward

In April this year, Dubai will host Fashion Forward (FFWD), a four-day-long event that will showcase the work of fourteen + more ready-to-wear, couture, menswear and bridal designers from the region. The goal is to create a platform to showcase regional designers, educate, as well as exchange ideas to further develop the business infrastructure of the fashion industry in the Middle East.

The Middle East is emerging as a breeding ground for talented artists who are celebrating their Middle East heritage with global influences. FFWD is an entirely new concept that was created after carefully studying the needs of the region’s fashion sector – the need for a trade body, the need for an initiative to collaborate with the academic movement around fashion, the need to showcase and recognize local designers, and the need for a platform which encourages learning about the business of fashion. In April 26-29 2013, the inaugural launch of Fashion Forward will take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

There will be a lot of fashion excitement! It will showcase the largest collection of designs; couture and prêt collections from established designers in the region. It will be the very first time that these celebrated designers showcasing under one roof! And to name a few designers, I’m excited to tell you that Dina Jsr, Ronald Abdala and Zayan Ghandour, the three well-acclaimed Lebanese designers, are also going to showcase their prêt-a-porter and evening wear collections at the FFWD!

Complementing the catwalk calendar, several forums and panel discussions will be hosted, featuring global experts on relevant fashion topics. FFWD will have fashion galleries and installations, a series of pop-up stores, VIP lounges and fashion cafes. It will also have special events and parties with fashionistas in full attendance!

Cloud of Lace will be more than delighted to cover the event in full details, follow along!

Xoxo,

Hiba

Valentine’s Day Treats!

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Love treats on Valentine’s day are a must, for their simple emotional significance. We love to pamper and be pampered by our loved one, which makes us feel how significant we are to them.

Even though I’m totally against celebrating love on one single day per year, I just can’t help but feel the fever that’s all around here in Beirut! After all, I’m the kind of person who would invent an occasion just for the sake of celebrating and having good times with my dearest people!

Here are some of what I think would make a cute treat for Him & Her on Valentine’s Day, or any other day… Let me know what you think!

This super elegant chocolate box will make an excellent souvenir after its luscious ingredients are savored till the very last piece ;)

Heart-Shaped Chocolate Box - Courtesy of Patchi

Heart-Shaped Chocolate Box – Courtesy of Patchi

For Him, an elegant and masculine iPad cover by Mark/Giusti:

COSMATI Envelope iPad Cover by Mark/Giusti

COSMATI Envelope iPad Cover by Mark/Giusti

For Her, no arm candy this season is fancier that the Orchis by HariTHanD:

The Orchis handbag by HariTHanD

The Orchis handbag by HariTHanD

No matter how you chose to spend this day celebrating love, I want to wish you all everlasting happiness in your togetherness…

Don’t forget to let me know what were your plans and gifts for this valentine’s!

Xoxo,

Hiba

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