Lookbook: Paris Haute Couture Week - FW 2017/2018

Here is some of my looks from the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2017/2018 Week in Paris where I attended a selection of shows and presentations such as Rami Kadi, Alexis Mabille, Georges Hobeika, Tony Ward, Georges Chakra, Xuan Couture, Julien Fournié and Rami Al Ali. 

Starting with this red hit look that has been posted on the Street Style section of Vogue British, Vogue Germany, Vogue Arabia and WWD. I know right? This was a big moment for me. Seeing yourself under the Vogue word is like a red and white billboard telling you "you've got approved" and even if you trust your style and your message, it definitely feels (soooo) good and motivates you for the next steps. I'm wearing the Le Coq Sportif by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac hoodie, a Cortefiel Palazzo and a Mint&Berry fanny bag. 

Picture: Jonathan Daniel Pryce

Summer breeze

There are dresses that you want to wear all summer. Maxi-dresses are my go-to when temperatures rise and inspiration on how to be covered, fresh and still look stylish goes down. Effortless, chic, incredibly light and delicate, this Mint&Berry dress had my heart as soon as I tried it on. Combined with a hat for the beach or a voluminous scarf for when the sun sets its rays, this dress is a summer call for thoughtless and peaceful vacation moments.

Seeing Red

This year's runways are bold and bright as they are bringing back the striking colour red playing it casually like it was the colour black. Red, finally back and far from the Cindy Crawford's 1991 plunging Versace gown at the Oscars. This time we have seen a range of revisited red. Including different tints, models and materials: Valentino's vinyl trench, Dior's red bright party dress or Balenciaga's haute oversized hoodies. Therefore, it's only natural that I embrace this mode with one of the few colours that has its own language of braveness and power. To realize this, and since everything from the 90's is having a revival, I chose a tracksuit kind of bottom from Lost Ink. To cope with that much statement I added a black scarf, a destructured white shirt and here we are, spring ready for fall and ready to talk without speaking. 

Blue Stripes x Yellow

Sometimes, Instagram is a great source of inspiration. Who would combine blue stripes and yellow except the Uruguay flag? Well, a lot of stylish women apparently so I gave it a try and frankly, I loved the effect. In a moment of audacity, I even added a red lipstick which contrasts with this blue shirt perfectly. And as I'm breaking almost all my codes, I wore the shirt in reverse. I know, living on the edge. Wearing yellow and smiling to walls: bloggers, right? Don't worry I still faithfully wore my black scarf and sunglasses to compensate with these fabulous wide leg trousers. Final word? Dare my dear. 

50 textures of black

We are back with Athleisure on a darker version. Switzerland is shiny and has amazing spots for industrial shots. This one was next to a rail train and the little bridge bringing to the other side was everything but inevitable for this photoshoot. This time I combined black pleated trousers with a Missguided hoodie and black high heels. Don't look for the statement piece, the look is a statement itself. Differences of textures, style plays, transparent hand sleeve on a touch of red on the lips. 

Rami Al Ali - Fashion Forward Dubai

We don't introduce him anymore. Rami Al Ali pieces were worn by Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington and more. I was delighted to try one of his dresses and I directly put my eyes on this short and blue piece. Pleated trousers and a falling scarf on the sleeveless part of the dress to have a balanced composition. A Rula Galayini clutch later and I was ready to be photographed under a rainy Paris in front of a door that reminded me more of a sunny Sidi Bu Said. 

Athleisure

Athleisure is a trend where basically gym clothes are making their way out of the gym and come stick their noses into your prettiest wardrobe pieces. Although I'm usually more on the feminine side, this trend is here to stay and when I purchased these trousers from Bik Bok, I knew I could do more than just match them with a pink blouse. These awesome metallic Superstar helped me bring the perfect transition between the dusty pink trousers and the Adidas grey sweat-shirt. More than just the styling, the comfort of this ensemble reconciled me with a movement that I wasn't fond of at first. Furthermore the day I shot this look in Geneva, a few random people complimented me about it. I definitely can get used to these compliments versus this much confort ratio. 

Ghudfah

Ghudfah is an arabic word meaning 'veil' and it was a common word in the heart of Saudia Arabia in the 80's and before. Meanwhile, Sarah Albaz made of this word a brand of abaya. I had the chance of meeting her the day of her show at Fashion Forward where I was won over by the modern twist of her abayas. Softness, elegance, volume are exactly the words I would put on her collection: you can find it on Vogue Arabia. Two days and a selective dinner at the Fairmont The Palm later, I found myself shooting one of her 'white shirt abaya' in the stables of the Mandara Equestrian Club, surrounded by beautiful horses. Straight out of a movie, abaya version. 

Kimono Belt Fusion

Spring is back and I'm opening the season with an elegant kimono-belt fusion. This outfit is composed by a simple wrap-around Kimono from Zara that I fancied up with a black corset belt. I took the straps and wrapped them around the belt to do a smooth transition with the below part. Notice the flowy top contrasting with a more structural part starting from the belt. Now that you have mastered the technique and the style is on point, you're perfectly ready for a night out, an event or a photoshoot in the sun. About that, I'm still wearing my favorite sunglasses and frankly, I always have a hard time finding sunglasses that fit my face properly with a design of my taste so when I find a good pair, they never leave my bag or my head. You can find those I'm wearing here: Jeepers Peepers.  

Lama Jouni - Fashion Forward Dubai

I'm wearing Lebanese designer Lama Jouni and Boy does she make amazing pieces. A total black look embellished by a Rula Galayini clutch. Despite the Middle Eastern influences, the result is very old Hollywood glam and to be honest, I have always dreamt of seeing covered women in this kind of scene. This is also a mirror of who I am: I'm wearing black, Lebanese brands, in Paris and covered. Best of both worlds. PS: the last picture is a whole page feature on the National, the leading english voice in the Middle East. 

Sotra - Fashion Forward Dubai

If you are following me on my social media channels, you have seen that I was in Paris for a week-end during Paris Fashion Week. I was there with Fashion Forward Dubai which is the fashion platform for Dubai and the Middle East. We have shot a few looks from different regional designers in the Intercontinental Paris le Grand, an iconic hotel standing tall in front of the Opera Garnier. In other words, no better place to catch the romance of Paris.

I'm starting my Parisian series with my favorite basics ever: black jumpsuit, black scarf, concrete colored jacket from Sotra and the Pénélope Fantaisie Tote bag from Longchamp.

Sotra is a Saudi fashion brand that I know for a little while now. I've always admired their dress-thobes, classy cuts, their innovative kaftans and their intuitive plays of contrasts and patterns like in this Carrie Dress. 

This outfit would have not been the same without this chic and modern bag. I experienced it between meetings and shooting and all I can say is that bag is truly a woman's "bestfriend". The size is perfect and it could carry anything from your favorite lipstick to your most wildest dreams. Pénélope Fantaisie bag is ad dual material bag with geometric accents and is not only to serve you but also to stand out in the most elegant way. 

Layering Season

With these beautiful shiny days, Spring seems to be near but we still have to wait few more weeks. It may be sunny but it's cold outside and for that I use the only card I know since I can remember: layering. When I do so, I limit myself to three pieces max to not create a bulky look. Most of the time, I throw on one basic white piece - it could be a shirt or a blouse and then I add the main spicy piece and I finish with an oversized jacket or like in this post a soothing knit. Lastly, I wrap up the look with simple black pieces: scarf, heeled ankle boots, high waisted trousers and I'm ready for business.

Statement belt

Today's formula is utterly simple, take two basics and add a statement piece: in this case, an oversized belt that I fell in love with a decade ago which makes me realize that I unfortunately totally forgot where I bought it from. To make this composition work with the extra flowy characteristic of the skirt, I needed something to define the waist. To do so, forget the thin belt - not proportional to the jacket that goes down slightly. Big, oversized, statement belt is the lead role to my outfit. This option is perfect when you have no idea what to wear to a party and for a more formal atmosphere, you can switch the skirt to straight fit trousers and stiletto heels. Scarf wise, black, simple and voluminous to finish the look harmoniously.

Concretely

If there is things a few things about aesthetics I love most are clean cuts and fashion that takes its inspiration in architecture. I admit guiltlessly that I have more architecture and designs magazines than fashion ones. Now I obviously haven't had a personal discussion with the stylist that made the grey and white top I'm wearing in this post but just like in a museum, you appreciate and feel what you want to see in the particular piece. This contrast full top has not only a collar that goes up beautifully but has that grey concrete color that I usually like on buildings'walls. I paired this top with a sleeveless jacket with colors of the same family for an understated look and now I'm ready to hug the walls I guess.

Leather stories

Leather is everywhere and I love to play with this touchy trend. Unfortunately modest leather pieces do not run the streets so I have to find ways to adapt any pieces to my modest fashion guide. First, dissimulate the legs: black leggings as usual. Secondly: over-the-knee boots as a 2nd layer and lastly: long cardigan - in this case cardigan with patterns that will attract the eye on the jacket instead of the leather skirt. My overall objective is to have a balanced composition of things I like to wear and they eventually stand out but in a subtle way. 

Casual Chic

This cold brings my usual layering skill to another level but I think that the result is worth it. Mainly because this day I ended up with a faux-fur sleeveless jacket enhanced by a nude pullover within a 1 minute thought reflexion for this combination that just clicked. I also integrated fishnets into my outfit for a subtle touch of edge under my shiny loafers.