Confashions From Kuwait

I have received an e-mail during Ramadan from the super talented Kuwaiti kaftans designer Reem Al Mudhaf of NunuPink with a lookbook revealing her latest designs for 2016. I have decided to share some of its photos here but only after Ramadan as I felt her designs deserve the exclusivity and privacy required to protect them from the most common issue with or local designers, the unwanted prying eyes, who tend to copy other designs and claim them as their own. For Ramadan 2016, Reem did not disappoint. Her caftan designs are made from the highest quality fabrics with the most innovative small details, meaning her caftans not only look fabulous but feel super comfortable to wear - essential for a glamorous ghabqa/Ramadan wardrobe. I must admit that when I first skimmed through the lookbook, I was somewhat neutral to the designs, something was off with the images and I still can't put my finger on it. I'm glad I decided to visit her studio and get a better look at her des...

One of the biggest thrills about Caftans season isn’t just the launch of new caftans by “big” names that everyone knows and loves. Caftans season is a chance to scout out the latest and greatest in emerging talents. This season was no exception, I have been introduced to so many new local and regional brands and young talents that I never knew existed. Qatari-based brand 1309 was launched last year, but because I had already stocked up on caftans before the launch of their debut collection, I didn't get the chance to buy from their collection. This year however, I made it my mission to order since I knew that their design aesthetics would surely mean presenting something that won't disappoint, and guess what? They did meet and exceed my expectations. I think that 1309 is really having a moment. It managed to create pieces that well-dressed girls everywhere are starting to talk about. This season I fell in love with their Arabic calligraphy embroidered pie...

Fashion has always inspired dance-wear and dance has always inspired fashion. Take for example District Design's drama caftan, which you can see a glimpse of in this photo, the waves at the lower part of their caftan is created by layers upon layers of fabric, quite similar to ballerina's tutu skirt. So it felt completely fit to pair my Miu Miu satin ballet/Punk flats with the caftan. The result was beautiful! Wouldn't you say? You can buy them online here .

A few months back, the representatives of an emerging jewelry brand called Kamushki have sent me an e-mail to introduce me to their brand. I was familiar with their designs thanks to instagram's explore page, but I never found out the name of their brand until they've contacted me.  Kamushki  is a brand that was co-founded by two Libyan-born Switzerland/Dubai-based sisters who had an eye for jewellery and loved to travel to build a knowledge of other cultures.  " In Libya we are big believers of the evil eye and one of the symbols of protection that breaks the eye is the fish. ", expressed one of the founders of  Kamushki .  " In our Libyan traditional clothing there is always big gold fish intertwined within our heavy gold and also we tend to gift a bracelet or small pin with a fish when there is a new born ." Their brand is designed for the ' contemporary, chic and courages ’ woman, and the unique designs in the Wishbone and Cyrene colle...

It's always a treat for me to be introduced to local and regional emerging talents. A few weeks ago I received an e-mail introducing me to a new luxury women footwear brand called Arnaa by a Kuwaiti Shoes Designer Farah Sultan . As I skimmed through the lookbook , I found myself loving the open-toe flats decorated with bright purple leather orchids. It would make such an ideal shoes to pack for an exotic getaway. Some styles would appeal to those who love quirky cool designs. According to the brand's bio, Arnaa uses the finest, high quality materials to create stylish footwear that reflects a distinct taste for high-end fashion. All Arnaa shoes are made in Italy, at one of the best shoes factories that has produced some styles for Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin, to ensure that quality and precision is at the center of the production. Farah Sultan has spent the greater portion of her life studying designs that represent the finest Italian artisan foot...

Amna AlSalem is not a new name to my blog and to fashion-loving people within our region. Her previous collection received a shining stamp of approval from one of Kuwait's biggest high-end luxury store AlOthman a few seasons ago with the release of an exclusive-to-Kuwait collection for the retailer, drawing upon her signature silhouettes and ready-to-wear successes. For her new collection, Amna stayed true to her feminine signature style with a hint of playfulness through cut, shapes, and colors. Here's what the designer has shared with Confashions from Kuwait in regards to her latest collection.... Amna AlSalem's collection is inspired by Henri Matisse's masterpiece, The Dessert: Harmony in Red . This painting was originally commissioned as ' Harmony in Blue ' but Matisse was dissatisfied with the result, and so he painted it over with his preferred red. Amna AlSalem was attached to the sense of joie de vivre the painting interprets, wi...

It's no secret that I love clothes, and especially Kaftans. I think I first became interested in kaftans at almost 9 years ago when I first started building my humble collection of kaftans. It was fun becoming aware of all the different fabrics and the use of vibrant (and sometimes neutral) colors to create something wonderful to wear during Ramadan by local and regional talents. That is why I suppose I have a great love of Kaftans. They are easy-to-wear, flowing, and colorful. They always make me feel as though I am on vacation at an exotic location. Just throw them on, wear a belt around your waist with shorts or jeans to go out with beautiful jewellery, and you're good to go. Living in Kuwait means that when shopping for caftans, the choices are endless!! And I'm so glad to see the group of local designers whom I appreciate their talents and whom I regard as legit ones are growing by the season with designs that make you want to buy the entire collection. With th...

HariTHanD is a Lebanon-based brand that was established in 2010. It is mostly catered to young women who want to razzle dazzle in a formal or a fancy event. His experimental designs are inspired by beauties from the glamorous fifties, and you can avidly see it in his petal-like shapes with magnified twisted layers and belted waists. Actually, some of his designs have similar aesthetics as innovative Australian designer Toni Maticevski . Scroll down for some of my favorite pieces.