Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Personal Style: Vivid Winter



When putting together an everyday winter outfit, practical and comfortable doesn’t have to translate to boring and dull. With the help of just a few colourful touches, your winter basics can be elevated to vivacious new heights. Winter dressing tends to err on the dark and dreary side, so be adventurous and lift your mood by incorporating some colour into your wardrobe.

The asymmetrical hem and gathered sleeves of this ASOS cape makes it stand out in a sea of dark winter jackets. Its neutral beige colour instantly uplifts the outfits colour palette and creates an ideal backdrop for colourful items.

The vibrant eggplant fur scarf is a fun statement piece that adds an unfussy element of casual-luxe to this relaxed look. Colorful fur is de rigueur this season, with designers from Diane Von Furstenburg to Jean Paul Gaultier all partaking in the trend. The scarf is also a fabulous day-to-night accessory; the tips of the fur are lighter than the base, making it catch the light and look brighter during the day and appear darker and more muted at night.

The waxed maroon trousers are a stylish alternative to standard black. They add an unexpected pop of color that co-ordinates well with the beige cape and eggshell top, and their skinny cut also balances the cape’s roomy silhouette.

When it comes to accessories, utilize your creativity and maximise the style payoff of items you already own; the wraparound bracelet in this look was created with the help of a waist belt! Flat black ankle boots add a stylishly masculine touch to this ensemble and are comfortably casual enough to run around all day in.

-Reem Buhazza 

Photographs by Pauline Kam
Modeling and Styling by Mona Hamid
Writing by Reem Buhazza

Outfit Details:
1. Fur Scarf: Kyi Kyi from Bloomingdales. Similar,
2. Cape: Asos. Similar,
3. Ankle Boots: Coach. Similar,
4. Cashmere Cream Top: Zara Knits. Similar,
5. Waxed Red Pants: Hudson. Available at,
6. Belt Bracelet: Tory Burch. Similar,
7. Bag: Cynthia Rowley 










Thursday, December 13, 2012

Personal Style: La Femme Fatale

Maison Martin Margiela’s recent collaboration with H&M had fashionistas all over the globe salivating at the thought of getting their hands on a piece from the iconic fashion house. The long-awaited capsule collection featured everything from architectural jackets and deconstructed dresses to Lucite heels and skirt/trouser hybrids, all at a fraction of the unconventional label’s usual prices. 
This brown abstract bag is one of the limited edition pieces from the hallowed collection. The strap of this unusual bag is made up of two interconnected gloves, making it both a handbag and a clutch bag depending on how you perceive it (are the gloves holding on to a clutch, or are you holding on to a bag? This existential accessory boggles the fashion mind!). The intellectual approach of this statement piece is quintessentially Margiela; the cult avant-garde label is renowned for incorporating unusual objects into their designs and creating pieces with cerebral undertones.

As the handbag is the focal point, the rest of this outfit was kept monochromatic. The effortless decadence of this vintage Thierry Mugler coat is a result of its impeccable tailoring; the cropped front of the coat contrasts with the tail-like length of the back, and the nipped-in waist provides structure and creates a feminine silhouette. The black furry scarf draped over the coat gives this look a hint of theatrical drama. Whether faux or real, fur is a versatile winter staple that can add a facet of fierceness to any outfit and keep you warm at the same time. The leather fragments of the black leggings give added texture and edgy interest to the rest of this all-black ensemble, and the oxblood colour of the Karen Millen heels compliment the brown tone of the bag.

-Reem Buhazza

Photographs by Pauline KamStyling and Modeling by Mona HamidWriting by Reem BuhazzaOutfit Details:1. Glove Bag: Margiela for H&M2. Leggings: Zara. Available athttp://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269187/997523/FAUX%20LEATHER%20LEGGINGS 3. Jacket: Thierry Mugler4. Shoes: Karen Millen. Similar at,http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/bowtie/?http://www.stuartweitzman.com/products/pleasant/?F_All=Y 




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Personal Style: The Wedding Edition































Along with taking part in a heart-warming celebration of love and happiness, attending a wedding is also a wonderful opportunity to play dress up and be creative with your style. At a recent wedding party in Abu Dhabi, the creators of Stilettos and Substance joined fashion forces to display their unique interpretations of wedding guest attire.



Mona’s bright and playful look was achieved with the help of a few simple tweaks. A tulle underskirt was added to this vibrant red Ted Baker dress to create a voluminous full-skirted silhouette, and black rhinestones were dotted along the bottom half of the dress to add intricate detailing and distinctive individuality.
A patent navy blue belt placed at the waist adds color detail and emphasizes the fit-and-flare shape of the dress even further. Polka dot pointed-toe heels and an oval-shaped tasseled clutch lend a contemporary edge to the classic aspects of this look. This whimsically feminine ensemble is accessorized with a chunky statement coral necklace and matching ring, along with simple pearl earrings.











Reem’s conceptual look was styled to evoke a lavishly opulent feel and draws inspiration from bygone fashion eras. The baroque print of this buttercream Dorothy Perkins shift dress sets the tone for the luxuriant theme of the outfit, and the peplum waist accents cut an on-trend modern silhouette.


An off-white feather bolero adds an additional lavish aspect to this look. The feathers on this sumptuous statement piece inject drama and character into the otherwise basic shift dress, giving the look a touch of 1920’s sartorial exuberance.

This modern take on the ladylike dressing of yesteryear is topped off with champagne peep-toe heels, an eccentric spherical cream clutch, and minimal accessories.








































Photographs by Mohamed El-Beeli, Edited by Mona Al-Marzoqi
Styling and Modeling by Mona Hamid and Reem Buhazza
Writing by Reem Buhazza

Mona's Outfit Details:
1. Dress: Ted Baker. Available at,
2. Shoes: Kate Spade. Available at,
3. Belt: Kate Spade. Available at,
4. Clutch: Asos.
5. Jewelry: Mom's Jewelry Box.

Reem's Outfit Details:
1. Dress: Dorothy Perkins. Available at,
2. Bolero: Mango. Similar at,
3. Shoes: Dune. Similar at,
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-PIXIE-Platforms-with-Peep-Toe/yq7mc/?iid=2308314&SearchQuery=champagne%20peep%20toe&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=-1&sort=-1&clr=Gold&r=1&mk=VOID&mporgp=L0FTT1MvQVNPUy1QSVhJRS1QbGF0Zm9ybXMtd2l0aC1QZWVwLVRvZS9Qcm9kLw..
4. Earrings: Louis Vuitton. Similar at,
5. Ring: Aldo. Similar at,
http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Jewelled-Spike-Cocktail-Ring/z3t3g/?iid=2411908&SearchQuery=cocktail%20ring&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Multi&r=1&mk=VOID&mporgp=L0FTT1MvQVNPUy1KZXdlbGxlZC1TcGlrZS1Db2NrdGFpbC1SaW5nL1Byb2Qv
6. Bracelets: Aldo. Similar at,