via. PONYHUNTER

Isn’t this photo just breathtaking?  Isn’t the skirt just stunning?  Isn’t Laura’s blog PONYHUNTER wonderful? (*see bottom for answers)

The Juliette Hogan skirt is awesome, like so good I would consider having it shipped all the way from New Zealand.  Maybe even so crazy about it I’d consider popping over to NZ during my Malaysia trip to buy it.  If anyone in Auckland should want to pop into her boutique and find out how much it is I’d very much like to know.  It was part of her beautiful Spring 2010 collection.

*YES!!

Loose Style

This beautiful long kaftan from the Chanel resort collection actually made my eyes widen when I came across it.  I love the soft tones and the billowing fabric, and the ornate jewelled detail is so delightfully delicate.  You know what though, Natasha Poly just doesn’t do it justice… (that, naturellement, was sarcasm)

Modest Dresses

I’ve had a lot of emails requesting a post on wedding dresses.  And it has to be said that I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time perusing the net-a-porter wedding boutique.  If only I’d known about this before I got married.  They have a wonderful selection of dresses, and a lot of them are easily hijab-able.  My favourites are the Lanvin and Matthew Williamson ones, but they are all so beautiful!

They vary quite a bit in price, but you can pick up something for under £500 which ain’t bad.  The service is amazing, and they have ‘free and easy’ returns should you change your mind.  If anything it’s worth checking out just for inspiration, they have a great wedding webzine and awesome little videos of the dresses.

All of these pics are taken from the wonderful net-a-porter.com

Spring Summer 2010

Maxi dresses, head scarves, and geometric mosaic prints from a Japanese fashion house?  Antonio Marras took us on a Middle Eastern adventure, not surprising as the starting point for the collection was Freya Stark, an English writer and Traveller of the Middle East.  It was a tale of two parts with bright bold colour block looks preceded by beautiful printed maxi dresses and that stunning large check trench.

I love how even in the very Islamic patterns there were still elements of the Japanese aesthetic in the indigo blue and white prints.  An harmonious marriage of cultures that didn’t look in the least bit contrived.  Kenzo is always a go to fashion house for jilbab style maxi dresses and loose fit, so there’s not a lot more Marras could have done to speak to us ladies this Summer.

Cultural Combinations

I guess the Japanese, English, Arab mix isn’t such a strange one after all, well  it is something very close to my heart.  It’s rather lovely to know it can be done so beautifully too!

(images: via style.com)

The Simplest of Things

I love what a headscarf brings to an outfit, it can bring it all together and add a certain je ne sais quoi to put it in fashion talk.  So, I get that that’s not the point of wearing it, and maybe I’m just a sucker for everything it stands for, but there’s just something about it I fall in love with.

Somebody asked me if a headscarf ruins an outfit, for me I think the reverse is more often true.

The Ensemble

Another stunning Made necklace, bracelet and ring, with the equally stunning Maysaa head scarf and a plain white shirt. Sometimes the simple ones are the best ones.

P.S. We’re less than days away from the launch now… but who’s counting!

Chic Comfort

I’m going to London for a couple of interviews (and a bit of vintage shopping), hmm what to wear?   A rather fine choice would be this Maysaa jersey maxi dress (it’s not so clear in these photos I know) comfortable but still beautiful to wear.  However it’s been shipped off for re-sampling so that’s out of the equation for now, and all I have left are these photographs… for a few weeks anyway.

I’ll keep you tweeted.

The clock is ticking

If you haven’t already signed up on Maysaa hurry hurry, to be sure of an exclusive invite to the first pre-orders.  You have until 6PM (GMT) WEDNESDAY to secure your place on the list, after that we can’t be sure you’ll get in.

For Extra Tantalization

• You will have 5 DAYS TO SHOP before we launch our international ad campaign
• We are giving you an exclusive DISCOUNT, which won’t be available to anyone else!
• You will be the FIRST to be notified the moment we open for pre-orders.

I really don’t want you guys to miss out, you’ve been so supportive!  So go ahead and take advantage of the sign up. Click here to sign up now.

(image: courtesy of maysaa.com)

Textures and Tones

Using the Maysaa head scarf and maxi skirt (coming out later on this year iA), beautiful fairtrade Made jewellery and a hat you may well recognize I toned it down with a billion year old wrap cardigan and guys t-shirt (although I may be exaggerating).  I think the sheerness of the skirt lifts it out of being too dark but given the recent weather that doesn’t seem to be a problem.  I’ll get some clearer pictures of the skirt up soon too!

Vogue Italia Maxi Style

I’m a sucker for anything cleverly mismatched and I’m really liking this ‘dressing up box’ styling.  I think I’d refine it a little if I was going to go for this look-more street friendly.

(images: Vogue Italia)

Something Strange

Alexander McQueen really has the ability to make something beautiful that goes beyond fashion, I can’t put my finger on it, but (without sounding too contrived) maybe it can’t be put into words.

(image: via www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk)