Jan DSaDubai, 2012: The reason I visited the Dubai Bride Show was because (a) I wanted some handcrafted inspiration (b) I wanted to reminisce about my own catwalk sting (with my model dressed in my finalist Swarovski Abaya) (c) last but not least, I wanted to meet Nina Iskander, fashion & image consultant; as well as Huda Khattan, Dubai’s blogger of the year (unfortunately Huda Beauty wasn’t there till the last day of the show). I also wanted to say hello to a fellow network colleague, Mona Shibel, Founder and Managing Director of White.me, the Middle East’s leading online registry.
Nina Iskander
Egyptian born Nina Iskander has been influenced both by the Western and Arabian fashion mindset, coming up with her own flair for fashion. She loves to help clients to look beautiful from inside-out. After all it’s not only about personal image, it’s also about health and wellness first before anything else. Some of her services include wardrobe audit (I must get mine done one day soon!), hair styling, colour analysis and pregnancy personal training. One thing I have learnt from her (and one thing that we women tend to forget) is to embrace the body shape that I have been blessed with. And ensure to choose the kind of clothing that fits into my body shape.
My next stop was White. When I get married, this is the place that I will think of coming to. Mona Shibel, the brain behind White, explains how White first started as an online gift registry (similar to the concept that I’m familiar with in the UK). With its growth spurt, White now covers ‘all things wedding.’ Mona elaborates, “White has now become the online haven that engaged couples living in the Middle East come to for wedding inspiration and decor ideas. Topics such as bridal beauty, bridal fashion and evening wear are covered at White.” (Note: Read a fantabulously divine interview with Mona on the Carousal Girls blog).
Mona Shibel - Owner of White - Middle East's leading online source of wedding planning!
Handcrafted fashion
The Dubai Bride Show is the place to be if you are a creative artisans seeking inspiration beyond the comfort of their workshops. Here you can see creativity at its best, from subtle designs to sophisticated over-the-top delights.
Swarovski crystals at the Crystal House Stand.
Crystal House. I use them whenever I urgently need findings and crystals.
Gorgeous and intricate work on bridal trousseau
Details of a sleeve
This stall had the exhibitor demonstrating the stitching technique
Such a lavish gown, umbrella, gown train, head dress and exhibition stand!
Hmmm....which gown shall I choose? One of the questions buzzing through the gal crowd passing by
Such a beautiful attire. This model is wearing such a delighful gown - Love the colour combos. She is at a jewelry exhibitors stand.
Wedding decor options
Apart from clothing and jewelry, the interior decor also offers a lot of inspiration to the creative soul.
White.me Stand designed by an amazing event designer, Julie Ziani, of Julie & Romeo Wedding Organisers
Floral rain descending on the crowd. This stand was absolutely magnificent
Wedding dinner by candle light.
Love this macaroon holder in the form of a bird
Peacock decor. Love the flowing tail. Me thinks the train was made of real, fresh flowers. Forgot to ask if that was true.
Disco styled wedding pavilion
Wedding cake as part of the whole interior decor
Fashion and the catwalk
The MC for the catwalk shows was none other than my fellow artisan and jewely maker Nibal Khoory.
Love this display of leggings!
Fashion shows running at regularly intervals.
Fashion shows running at regularly intervals.
A trip down memory lane…
The last reason for my popping by the Dubai Bride Show was to relive my own stint on the catwalk as the Swarovski Abaya Competition finalist at the Abu Dhabi Bride Show 2008. Seems like a long time ago, but the memories are so fresh in my mind. For someone who doesn’t have a formal fashion design degree, this was a great achievement. My model, Biljana, was a tall and beautiful model who did justic to the gown that I had designed.
I crocheted every bit of the crochet work on the abaya. I made all the head accessories and the jewelry that Biljana wore. I also designed my own attire (fusion Indian mix style) and made my own crocheted choker.
Trip down memory lane - at the 2008 Swarovski Abaya competition in Abu Dhabi
My model was the very sweet and patient Biljana
I love the crochet work that I single handedly crocheted myself at the back of the train (the blue net work)
That's me in light blue with the other finalists and their models. So privileged to be on the stage at such a grand event.
And here questions of type such if honestly strike me not much as I wrote everything higher. It is visible you simply you don’t want to read all this. As my parrot does.