Nokia Prism inspires Aiisha

The Dubai Fashion Week is the opportunity of Aiisha to present her collection of clothes inspired by Nokia 7 900 Prism.

Aiisha Press Release:

In an unprecedented case of a mobile device inspiring fashion, local designer Aiisha last night unveiled her prêt-a-Porter collection of 35 dresses, each completely inspired by Nokia’s latest handset – the Nokia 7900 Prism.

The dresses were showcased on the catwalk at Dubai’s International Fashion Week - to a rapturous reception from the assembled audience, made up of local fashion houses and international industry leaders.

The UAE-based and Lebanese born designer Aiisha based her innovative collection on the cutting-edge colours, bold geometric patterns, materials and graphics which have gone into the unique design of Nokia’s 7900 Prism. Her collection, like the Prism’s iconic design, focuses on juxtapositions where matt meets shine and clear meets opaque, set within futuristic architecture-inspired plays of dark, steel and black materials with sharp lines, bevelled edges, asymmetry and geometry.“

Dubai Fashion Week was the perfect occasion for Aiisha to showcase her unique collection, created from her incomparable talent, which has been inspired by one of Nokia’s most fashionable handsets,” said Yolande Pineda, Communications Director, Nokia Middle East and Africa.

“We chose to support this exceptionally talented young woman at a forum like DIFW because she has an incredible flair for fashion, and will be a role model for other aspiring young, talented artists in the region. Our commitment to the region is not only in terms of promoting mobility, but in nurturing, inspiring and enabling people to explore their talents and their creativity,” added Pineda.




Aiisha commented; “This was an incredible opportunity to showcase my Prism line, especially to such a receptive and supportive audience." "The sheer inventiveness of Nokia’s Prism; the design, the colours, the texture and the patterns were an incredible inspiration that fitted with my personal taste and preference of modern and individualist styles that fit with a woman’s unique fashion taste. Factors like the geometric lines and contrasting materials on the Prism gave a lot of scope for designing pieces that were modern – almost futuristic, but still elegant.”

Fashion is playing an increasing role within the mobility industry, as consumers require mobile devices that fit into an even greater number of lifestyle needs. Consumers today look to personalized mobile experiences that add value and pleasure to their daily lives, while viewing their devices as an expression of identity. “The fact a mobile phone has inspired such an incredibly creative fashion collection, highlights the originality in the design of our Nokia devices,” continued Pineda.

“The idea that a designer has been so inspired by a fashionable device that it dictates the style of an entire fashion collection is a precedent. It is exciting that there is an exchange of creativity between the two industries; fashion inspires devices, and devices now inspire fashion. We expect this will be an emerging trend in both the fashion and mobility industries in the future,” Pineda concluded.

Born in Lebanon and residing in Dubai since 1983, Aiisha graduated from the American University in Dubai with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing in 2002. She was the winner of the 'Young Designer of the Year' award in the 'Bride 2000' by Swarovski.

Source: Aiisha

Nordstrom at Cherry Creek features retailer's 1st Cafe Bistro

Apparel, cosmetics, clothes, shoes in one word : FASHION ! A new store will include all of this in a shopping area in downtown in Colorado. Brands like Armani Collezioni, Burberry Prorsum, Marchesa, Marni, Michael Kors, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, St. John Couture, Versace and Zac Posen would be present in this future store.

Nordstrom Inc Press Release:

Denverites have a new shopping destination downtown. Leading fashion specialty retailer Nordstrom opened its third Colorado store at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. The 138,000-square-foot store features an expanded designer offering and the company's latest design concepts. Nordstrom has two existing stores in the Denver area at Park Meadows in Littleton and FlatIron Crossing in Broomfield.

The new Nordstrom is home to five shoe departments featuring tens of thousands of pairs, a comprehensive apparel offering, cosmetics and accessories for women, men and children. The wide apparel selection includes an expansive designer offering of American and European collections, including Armani Collezioni, Burberry Prorsum, Marchesa, Marni, Michael Kors, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Proenza Schouler, St. John Couture, Versace and Zac Posen. To complement the apparel offering, the store will feature an extensive selection of designer shoes from names such as Chloe, Christian Dior, Manolo Blahnik, Marni, Oscar de la Renta, Prada Car Shoe and Yves Saint Laurent as well as designer handbags from Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Marni, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent."We are thrilled to welcome customers into the store and show them all that Nordstrom has to offer, right here in downtown Denver," said Store Manager Yolanda Larson. "We hope shoppers will love their new Nordstrom.

"In addition to a great selection of fashion, Nordstrom offers a number of services to enhance the shopping experience. These amenities include an in-store alterations and tailor shop, Personal Touch -- a complimentary wardrobe and shopping service, bra and prosthesis fitters, complimentary gift boxes, a family restroom and a shoeshine stand. Nordstrom at Cherry Creek has an espresso bar and also features the retailer's first Cafe Bistro in Colorado.

Opening day started at 8 a.m. with Nordstrom hosting a cosmetics tailgate party outside its mall entrance. Shoppers enjoyed complimentary beauty and skincare consultations, learned about the latest trends in makeup and fragrance, and received samples and gifts with purchase. When the store opened at 10 a.m., nearly 400 excited employees lined the aisles and cheered enthusiastically to welcome the first customers through the doors.

Earlier in the week, Nordstrom held an opening gala and raised over $225,000 for partnering charities, the American Transplant Foundation and Beacon Center. Guests shopped in the new store while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert buffets, specialty drinks and live entertainment. The highlight of the evening was a full-scale runway fashion show featuring fall 2007 and resort 2008 designer collections for women and men. The shows were held in a tent adjacent to the store and featured theatrical lighting and 40 models walking an 84-foot runway.

Nordstrom Inc

Lord and Taylor Confirms Creation of Proprietary Menswear Line With Designer Joseph Abboud

The production of tailored clothing, sportswear and accessories for the company Lord and Taylor will be designed by Joseph Abboud starting 2008. Abboud who is very appreciate for quality and elegance will join Charles Nolan, Cynthia Steffe and Bryan Bradley in Lord and Taylor's growing stable of American Designers...

Lord and Taylor Press Release:

Jane Elfers, President and CEO of Lord and Taylor, confirmed today a partnership between renowned menswear designer Joseph Abboud and Lord and Taylor. Abboud will assume design responsibility for all classifications of Lord and Taylor's proprietary men's product including tailored clothing, sportswear, and accessories. The product will debut in Fall 2008 with deliveries beginning in August. In addition, Abboud will also serve as Creative Director for the Men's Store.

Elfers said, "We are so excited to have Joseph Abboud as our partner. The ability to work one on one with someone of Joseph's caliber is an amazing opportunity for our men's merchants. The team is anxious to get started with Joseph on this exciting project and we look forward to working closely with him as we continue to upgrade our men's assortments.

" Like Lord and Taylor, Joseph Abboud is rooted in an American tradition that evades the boundaries of time with a style sensibility infused with intelligence, grace and ease. "Lord and Taylor is a great American name and it deserves great American product," Abboud says. Creating a new and spirited tailored collection for the iconic store gives Abboud a dynamic opportunity to redefine menswear. "I like the idea of being viewed as an editor, voice, creator," he said. The collaboration between Lord and Taylor and what its name stands for in the fashion industry, gives Abboud the perfect possibility to integrate his abiding love for the classical and remarkable approach to design elegance with the honest design of his concept for Lord and Taylor. "It is about creating affordable luxury with integrity of design and quality. It is not about price," adds Abboud.

Abboud joins Charles Nolan, Cynthia Steffe and Bryan Bradley in Lord and Taylor's growing stable of American Designers. By appointing Abboud, Elfers further demonstrates the 181-year-old store's commitment to up-grading merchandise assortments and in-store services and amenities, that has created widespread industry buzz. In mid August, the store launched a $10M re- branding campaign created by David Lipman and photographed by Mario Testino, that projects the store's unapologetically classic style. The branding campaign includes a total overhaul of its media mix, while new brand packaging debuted last week in the 47 Lord and Taylor stores throughout the Northeast. As part of the re-branding, a $250 million capital budget has also been earmarked over the next five years.

Abboud was drawn to the Fashion business by a deep appreciation for quality and elegance. After studying comparative literature at the University of Massachusetts, he went on to attend the Sorbonne in Paris, where he grew to love the sophisticated polish of European style. In 1968, Abboud joined the prestigious retail store, Louis of Boston. Over the course of twelve years, he served as Buyer, Merchandiser, and eventually Coordinator of Promotion and Advertising. Three years as Director of Menswear Design for Polo/Ralph Lauren further refined Abboud's own vision of Men's Style. Says Abboud about his decision to go out on his own, "I realized I had something new to say, something that wasn't already out there.

"Since the debut of his collection, Abboud has been accorded numerous honors including the distinction of being the only designer to have received the coveted Menswear Designer of the Year two years in a row (1989 & 1990) from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Especially meaningful to Abboud was the Special Achievement Award from The Neckwear Association of America, which he received in May 1994. Other awards and honors include The Cutty Sark Award for Most Promising Menswear Designer (1988), the first Woolmark Award for Distinguished Fashion (1989) and in March of 1993. In 1995, Abboud was honored for Excellence in American Design by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and in May 1997, Abboud was presented with the Michael Award for Menswear Designer of the Year. Numerous other awards have followed. He is currently working with two networks on a lifestyle program. He has recently published his biography with Harper Collins, entitled Threads and is currently writing his second book, a novel on the fashion industry.

Source: Lord and Taylor

Designer Susanne Maddux introduce reusable shopping bags

The designer Susanne Maddux responds to an actual need of our era by creating reusable canvas shopping bags, collection named: Hero Bags. Hero Bags come in 2 sizes and they can be purchased for $ 9.99 each or 4 for $34.96.


Susanne Maduxx Press Release:


San Francisco is the first city in the nation to ban plastic bags, and one Silicon Valley industrial designer, Susanne Maddux, has decided to focus her design talents on her own line of reusable canvas shopping bags, aptly named Hero Bags.



After years of developing product designs for Apple Computer, Sony, Nike and many high-tech startups, award-winning designer Maddux has focused her talents on going green with everyday design solutions for sustainability.



San Franciscans are proud of the fact that their city is the first in the entire US to ban plastic bags. What better way to show that pride than to carry a Hero Bag to the farmers' market, the bookstore, or running errands around town? Even San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom was spotted at a local farmer's market with a Hero Bag in hand.



With its cute yet valiant green-winged logo, Maddux says the feedback from consumers has been incredibly positive. "I've only had the bags out a week, and already my online store is buzzing with orders and I've been stopped on the street by people who want to know where they can find a Hero Bag."



"I'm hearing that although a lot of people already have reusable bags branded with grocery store logos, they say they don't' like advertising the store, or going into one store with another store's branded bag. People prefer to promote the fact that they are a green, eco-friendly consumer, and not a walking advertisement for a big chain grocery store.



"Hero Bags currently come in 2 sizes, medium and large. They are serious shopping bags with a flat bottom, gusseted sides, and velcro closure. Hero Bags can be purchased for $9.99 each or 4 for $34.96.


The Hero Bags name and logo is a trademark of Susanne Maddux LLC


Source : Susanne Maduxx

Versace will design interior for one of the largest private aircraft : Airbus A319 Corporate Jet

Versace decided to start to collaborate with TAG Aircraft Interiors Limited and the result will be a nice design interior for one of the largest private aircraft : Airbus A319 Corporate Jet. The Airbus A319 Corporate Jet will benefit of 16 seats arranged in one salon, one galley, one business office, and one stateroom. The entire interior will be signed by Versace and the result of the project could be seen in 2008, the last three months.
Versace Press Release :
“Versace and TAG-AI joined forces in April last year to create this exclusive interior design service catering to the needs of private jet owners. In this partnership, Versace Design is responsible for all aspects of content, design and style, while TAG-AI, with the parent TAG Group’s 30 years of experience as a world leader in the sale, completion and management of private jets, manages the sales, marketing, logistical, and technical aspects of the completion contract.
The European client’s ACJ will have 16 seats in an exclusive four-compartment arrangement: salon, galley, business office, and stateroom with ensuite bathroom.
Versace will provide the aircraft interior with a unique design customized to the aircraft’s specifications and floor plan. It will feature executive armchairs embossed with Versace’s signature Greek fret motif, furniture made of the best materials, and exclusive finishes and luxury detailing spanning the four cabins of the aircraft.
“Versace is proud to have been chosen as the exclusive interior designer of this new Airbus A319 CJ by a very discerning client,” says Giancarlo Di Risio, CEO of Gianni Versace S.p.A. “Versace’s Home Collection team, along with our partners at TAG Aircraft Interiors, will be responsible for the design and implementation of this interior contract. Versace continues to represent Italian excellence and luxury not only within the fashion industry, but in every sector of exclusive design. This large private jet interior reflects, in its every detail, the excellence and luxury of the Versace brand.”
“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this contract,” says Bijan Khezri, Managing Director of TAG Aircraft Interiors. “It is an attestation of the excellent fit of complementing competencies that exists between our two companies.
“As we move forward and plan for further design contracts, we will unveil two design catalogues for the Paris Airshow at Le Bourget in June. Covering the interior design applications for Bombardier Global XRS, Gulfstream 550, Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ aircraft, one catalogue will be for general distribution, while the other will be a limited-issue, numbered, collector’s item, a magnificent silk-covered product that will be presented only to prospective clients and VIPs of the industry,” Khezri added.
TAG Aircraft Interiors, a subsidiary of TAG Group, which in turn is the parent company of TAG Aviation, is the supplier of the most exclusive aviation interiors in the world. The company’s clients are owners of aircraft the size of Bombardier Challenger 600 Series and larger. “
Source : Versace