INTERVIEW: DAS DELIGHTS... MY FEATURED ARTICLE!

A while back I interviewed the designers of DAS collection for HauteMuse magazine's first issue. My article is featured above :) The magazine quickly sold out and their upcoming issue is already causing a lot of buzz. So be sure to grab a copy to read this along with many other great pieces.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: LLAUREN RUICCI ~LARUICCI~

The first time I spotted a Laruicci design was on Rihanna on the cover of Elle July 2010 and it's safe to say that like many other bloggers I was in loveeee.. Then Beyonce rocked some amazing pieces in her latest video (check this post) and I became obsessed with getting my hands on the rings.

Following that post, the coolest thing ever happened, Laruicci designer, Lauren Ruicci, emailed me after spotting the post and I instantly jumped on the opportunity to find out more about this incredibly talented craftswoman who, after a couple of weeks of talking to online, I've found to be  one of the sweetest people ever.

Lots of love to Lauren, I can't wait to see what's next for you ♥
Check out the interview below.

 How long have you been designing for and what got you into it?

I started designing Laruicci Megawatt Jewelry in 2009. I was interning with stylist Patti Wilson, and I was seeing all of the amazing accessories, shoes, clothes, headdresses, and fashion that was coming through her office for shoots with magazines like Italian Vogue, and every time I was in proximity to something from the high end collections my heart would flutter, and I would get this feeling like “I want to make mind-blowing stuff like this!"

What inspires you when designing a new collection?

My greatest inspiration has always been travel, nightlife and the wildest places around the world.  Every collection is based on a city, or an amazing place that I have been to or want to go to.  My current collection is inspired by Rio and Brazil and it has been amazing dreaming of the beaches and tanned bodies and freedom of the nightlife.

What do you like the most about your designs?

I love most having the freedom to experiment with shapes and styles that I have never seen before. I also love the reaction that I get from my peers and the industry, everyone has been so supportive and I live for the praise. It is a great feeling for me personally, Laruicci is really for all of us, to make us more confident and strong-willed to go after our dreams and get what we want.

What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far?

Oh. Obviously when Beyonce licked that Transformer Ring in her “Run The World” music video. I think another great achievement is that we will be able to donate to Charity:Water http://www.charitywater.org/ this season. 100% of the proceeds from The Laruicci Charity:Water Shield Ring go to this organization and they are doing really great things for people who need it.

(Buy here)

What's your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?

It is a great feeling to be responsible for a collection because it is my responsibility to make interesting things and dream up all of the wild things we will be flaunting in the future.  I love playing around with shape and scale the most and regarding seemingly odd jewelry as completely necessary.

So how does it really feel to have someone like Beyonce wear your designs?

It feels surreal to see Laruicci as a real power player in the fashion world and Beyonce really solidified that fact in my mind. I love the message Beyonce is sending to all of us right now. Run The World, and she’s making us all feel really secure and powerful and beautiful.

What can we expect next form Laruicci?

Bold high fashion styles and high quality. Amazing editorial placements , also, we are working on strengthening our relationships with international stores, through exhibiting in Paris in October, this will drive international access and awareness of Laruicci.  I am really excited for the collaborations that are coming along for the 2012 seasons.

Finally, are you a fashion blog reader? Do you think they are influential?

Blogs are definitely influential, and very NOW. I am enamored with all of the response that Laruicci is getting from bloggers from all over the world. I love it because it feels like the voice of youth and its amazing to see all of the opinions—chances are the bloggers are the earliest adapters out there and so they are a force to be reckoned with now and moving forward. I am honored to be the subject because that means Laruicci is relevant and popping up on everyone’s radar; I want to keep that momentum going.

These are some of my favourite pieces from her latest collection. Check out more on the Laruicci website.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ~ NOON BY NOOR~ SHEIKHA NOOR and SHEIKHA HAYA

When I was approached by the designers of Bahraini label Noon by Noor to be featured on my blog, I was a) well happy to be approached directly by them and b) intrigued to find out a little more about them.

I must say I've had a love affair with Bahrain since I was 3 and we went to visit my aunt and last year I fell in love with Bahrain's fashion boutiques and made my bank account cry. So I was pretty interested in speaking with Sheikha Noor and Sheikha Haya about their business in Bahrain. I threw all of the questions tingling my mind at them and this is what they had to say.

1.When did you realise you wanted to become fashion designers?

Noor: From the very first days of sneaking into my mother's closet to go through her collection of luxurious silks and colorful fabrics, to my obsession with altering dresses that were purchased for me during my teenage years, it seemed that all fingers pointed towards a career in the fashion industry. Whether it was an elaborate gown or just basic jeans, I always managed to transform my garments to reflect my vision of fashion.

Haya: I have always been an enthusiast of the arts, but my decision to pursue a career in fashion design came later in life as I traveled extensively through various cosmopolitan cities. The experiences I gained from these trips and from growing up in Bahrain have taught me to expand my horizons and always think outside the box.

2. What does fashion mean to both of you?

Noor & Haya: Fashion is a way of expressing our hopes, dreams, visions, and

ideas to the world. We love pushing boundaries, discovering new frontiers, and

making statements with our clothing.

3. How would you define Bahrain’s fashion scene?

Noor & Haya: Bahrain’s fashion scene is impressively cutting-edge. Women here are keen on following the latest trends, but always add their own unique touch to their clothing.

4.How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

Noor & Haya: It really depends on the piece! Some garments can take a few hours, while other garments take up to a few days. Many of our pieces have special embellishments or intricate details which adds extra time to the production process.

5. What do you like most about designing?

Noor & Haya: We both very much enjoy seeing our ideas come to life. The process of having a garment that’s merely an idea in our head, then transferring it onto paper, then transforming it to an actual piece is still completely surreal to us.

6.  What things inspire your designs?

Noon & Haya: Our inspiration comes from a mixture of everything--- our culture, our travels, our friends and family, our personal lives and current events. We always keep our eyes and ears open to everything that surrounds us.

7.  What are some of your accomplishments as designers?

Noor & Haya: We just recently held a fashion show for our Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection, which showcased all thirty of our looks. International journalists, stylists, and buyers from different regions joined us for the exclusive event in our new showroom in the Seef District of Bahrain. It was an amazing experience that

left our guests eager for our next collection.

8.  What do you believe makes a quality piece of clothing?

Noor & Haya: We consider all of our garments to be of the highest quality. We search all over the world for the most exceptional fabric. In our current collection, we used a variety of beautiful silks, satins, soft jerseys, and intricate beads from countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

9.  What's your favorite part about conceptualising a design?

Noor & Haya: We would have to say: brainstorming with one another! Our process is quite unique because we try to combine both of our fashion styles, which happen to be the extreme opposites of one another, into each design concept. Our favorite part of this process is arriving at a unique interpretation that makes each one of our garments stand out as both sophisticatedly modern and playfully feminine.

10.What do you wish people would understand about working in the fashion industry?

Noor & Haya: The fashion industry is a great challenge because it’s fast-paced

and constantly changing. We can’t afford to have anything less than our “a-game” on, making sure that we are constantly alert.

11.What are some challenges you faced as an upcoming designer?

Noor & Haya: We always try to “out-do” ourselves and make sure that each piece we create is nothing less than perfect. Quality is extremely important to us and we are constantly checking to see that our work is executed perfectly. We want our clients to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each garment.

12. What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?

Noor: My best advice is to just practice. If sewing comes hard for you, take time

to make a few sample pieces. If you’re not the best artist, practice until you get

your forms right. Eventually, you will get the hang of it!

Haya: Always keep a positive attitude and remain calm. The fashion industry can be very intense, but as long as you remember to stop and take a deep breath, you’ll be able to focus!

13.Tell me a little about your F/W 2011-12 collection?

Noor & Haya: Our Fall/Winter 2011-12 collection was inspired by a journey of West meets East; modern ready to wear garments with Arabian influence. We chose soft jerseys, delicate silks, and rich satins to make the garments come to life and added dazzling embellishments for a touch of elegance. The harem pants are an absolute must have for the fall/winter, and we have a beautiful array to choose from. They are an easy way to achieve a sophisticated look during the day, but also look amazing during an evening outing, complimented with stilettos and a mystical Noon By Noor embellished top.

14. Finally, what can we expect in the near future from Noon by Noor?

Noor: We hope that Noon By Noor will transcend the Gulf region and leave its mark worldwide.

Haya: By June 2011, we hope to have our online boutique launched on our official website so that our international fans can order Noon By Noor from the comfort of their home.

The name for the line, Noon By Noor, comes from the Arabic letter ‘N’, pronounced as ‘noon’.