Elissa Falls Victim To Domestic Violence

May 25, 2015 - Leave a Comment

As much as I’d like to appreciate and enjoy Arabic music I don’t. With the exception of the occasional classics played at weddings when you’re too tipsy to care anymore and make you want to pull out those moves you learned at those two belly dancing classes you took back in high school. I’m also appalled by most video clips that accompany Arabic songs, they’re usually cheap, vulgar, abundant with clichés and ripped off.

Having said that, I came across the new music video of Lebanese songstress Elissa’s latest song Ya Merayti (My Mirror) this weekend and I was immediately drawn to both the production and powerful message it portrays.

Directed by Angie Jammal, the story tells the all too common tale of a wife and mother who is a victim of domestic violence, a shamefully widespread issue in Lebanon, according to local NGO and strongest advocate on the matter, KAFA, -25 women reported to have been killed by family members between 2010 and 2013 and four deaths occurred as a result in 2014-and that’s only what’s been reported, because most women don’t come forward or live to tell their story. Worse yet , the criminalization of marital rape has not been included in any legislation to date. Awful…

Now as much as we tend to hear about this in our 8pm evening news bulletins, the impact is much stronger when millions of fans and followers of Elissa in Lebanon and around the world get to watch her over and over again as a victim herself, portraying the sad reality of a struggling mother who suffers the fate of an abusive violent husband, one who beats her until the brink of death. But her story comes with the message of hope and action, and will resonate loudly and powerfully I’m sure in the many minds of women who today suffer in silence and encourage them to come forward.

The video was shot on location in Serbia, and could have easily been yet another opportunity for the singer to simply show off her beauty, style and vocal cords. But it wasn’t. So thank you Elissa, for taking the high road and choosing to bring awareness to domestic violence, in what obviously is a high quality and budget production to promote and shed more light on this dire matter. RESPECT

Watch the video below and let me know your thoughts…

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Miss Lebanon 2014 is Sally Greige and A Fall On Stage

October 5, 2014 - 2 Comments

Hours ago, Sally Greige, 24, was crowned as Miss Lebanon 2014. She was actually one of the strong contenders who spoke about women’s rights. She is also majoring in Civil Engineering

Sally goes home as the lucky winner of more than $500,000 in prizes including an apartment and a car.

Sally, along with the 13 other contenders was dressed exclusively by Lebanese and International designer Zuhair Murad. The event was hosted by TV Journalist Dima Sadek who also donned a monochrome number by the designer.

Superstar Nancy Ajram preformed two songs on stage in two different looks, the first in Dolce and Gabbana and for the second one she wore a low cut Elie Saab number

But Twitter really exploded when former Miss Lebanon 2013 Karen Ghrawi made her final appearance on stage with the crown and then took and terrible slip and fall on stage. It must have been horrifying as she seemed visibly distraught with the ordeal and she struggled to overcome it.The video has gone viral since, you can watch it by clicking here

As for the contestant levels this year and since this IS a beauty pageant where we can openly judge women based on their looks, I have to say it was definitely a big improvement from last year but still managed to maintain a very average level of contestants (both aesthetically and intellectually) that will not allow Lebanon to compete or stand a real chance at Miss Universe, though I thought that out of the bunch Sally Greige deserved the win.

But what do you think will Sally Greige become just another forgettable beauty queen or will she join the ranks of Joelle Behlok, Georgina Rizk, Dina Azar, Nadine Njeim and other beauties who have left their marks on the scene?

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Profiling New Global Fashion Icon: Lebanon’s Amal Alamuddin

October 1, 2014 - Leave a Comment

The world is smitten by its latest fashion icon, Amal Alamuddin or the new Mrs. Clooney. She’s managed to not only snag one of the most-coveted bachelors in the world but she’s also landed herself in the same ranks as some of the world’s fashion royalty and to get the nod from just about every usually unimpressed fashion editor out there.

Yes, Amal Alamuddin has given The Duchess of Cambridge a run for her money this weekend with the understated yet perfectly chosen elegant outfits she donned to her star-studded wedding week celebration in Venice. Thanks to her, Lebanon is back in the headlines for all the right reasons again and just about every Lebanese is trying to prove they are related to her.

But before we take a look at her flawless style here’s a little profile on her.

She’s 36, and although she is indeed born in Beirut from Lebanese parents she actually moved to London at the tender age of 2. Her father is a retired American University of Beirut Professor and her mother is a journalist. She’s an Oxford and New York University law school graduate and worked as a Barrister some controversial cases high profile such as the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the Julian Assange extradition case.

Almost every paparazzo camped out in Venice as word broke out of her wedding to George Clooney. The tasteful celebrations were attended by some major A-listers but it’s safe to say that Amal stole the show with her refined fashion sense. The theme was chic romantic Italian elegance. She broke stereotypes and proved to many Lebanese women that you don’t have to wear the flashiest biggest shiniest revealing dress to look magnificent.

Here’s a closer look at the full series of high fashion outfits looks she wore to the entire wedding week

First Pre-Wedding Sighting

Amal channeled her inner Jackie Kennedy in monochrome striped Dolce and Gabbana dress, thick framed Prada Glasses and a vintage style hat box which actually served as a lovely purse.

First Post-Wedding Sighting

This was one of my favorite dresses she chose from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Amal gave the world the first glimpse of her supper skinny long legs in this long- stiff hem-lined sleeved lace number with embroidered colorful flowers. She also chose the perfect shades to go with her outfit, these cat eye stunners by Heidi London.

The wedding rehearsal dinner

Amal wore an Alexander McQueen scarlet waterfall dress with a black pattern from the design house’s Resort 2011 collection. Her signature big hair also made an appearance and she completed the look with simple pointy black pumps and a bold red lip.

Civil Marriage Ceremony

This sophisticated look Amal chose left me in complete awe. Most women would usually want to wear dresses for this occasion but not Amal, she chose this cream Stella McCartney trouser suit with a nautical strip and a matching hat. She kept her makeup soft and day-time appropriate and her coiffed hair looked gorgeous. This was one of my favorite looks by far.

The Wedding Gown

And finally the wedding gown. Amal Alamuddin Clooney chose a dress by Oscar de la Renta from his fall 2014 collection. The ethereal and timeless cream off-the-shoulder hand stitched creation came with fourteen yards of Chantilly Lace, an embroidered bodice and featured a classic circular train and a floor-length veil. She was reported to have worn pearl earrings with square-cut diamond accents from her parents by Lebanese jeweler Chatila. Amal’s hair? Again simple, as it fell on her shoulders. It did not in any way attempt to compete with the rest of her look, none of that chignon madness or diamond tiara’s you see at most Lebanese weddings. The makeup? As natural as can be, there was no dramatic fierce eyes or extra layers of foundation. As for George Clooney he looked dapper in a Giorgio Armani tuxedo and cufflinks gifted to him by Amal, which read “George” in Arabic.

think we are all looking forward to watch what Amal will be wearing next as the world awaits her honeymoon sightings and how she will fashionably evolve to embrace her new role as Clooney’s wife.

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Did Revlon by Marchesa Copy Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics?

July 7, 2014 - Leave a Comment

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but where do we draw the line between inspiration and a downright rip off?

Revlon has recently launched a new limited edition collection in collaboration with Marchesa “inspired by the couture house” but it looks to me it was inspired by a little more than that. I couldn’t help but notice the alarmingly similar design of their beauty tools to Bassam Fattouh Cosmetic’s line, in particular his Pin Up Collection which has been around for over 3 years now. The most obvious being Revlon’s by Marchesa’s Compact Mirror which is practically identical to Bassam Fattouh’s Pin Up Blush, from design to shape to logo layout. See for yourself

Also check out the full Revlon Marchesa collection which include a nail box and filer which I placed side by side with Bassam Fattouh’s Pin Up Collection packaging.

It’s not a secret that the beauty and fashion industry is flooded with copyright infringements, designers are constantly drawing inspiration from one another without crediting the source. I’ve recently written an Article for Entrepreneur Middle East about this rising trend (especially on social media), but where do we draw the line? And would a cosmetics giant like Revlon really give the go ahead for such design from couture house Marchesa without doing some research first? Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics today has become a household name, with a presence at some of the most high-end departments all over the Middle East alongside some of the biggest names in the cosmetics world, so I find it hard to believe that this was purely a coincidence.

What do you think?

Profiling Lebanon’s Next First Lady: Marianne Henry Helou

June 23, 2014 - Leave a Comment

Meet Marianne Helou, wife of Lebanese presidential candidate Henry Helou who’s name is currently being deliberated as a possible consensus candidate by the Progressive Socialist party. But it’s not Henry nor his political aspirations we’re interested in rather it’s Mrs. Helou, his French wife.

She’s a top tier socialite and a regular front rower at Paris Couture Week with her “glossy fur coat, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed.”

She’s been spotted and interviewed at the likes of Elie Saab, Georges Shakra, Zuhair Murad and Dany Atrache fashion shows in Paris just to name a few. She’s also a favorite face at Mondanite where you can find the blonde beauty repeatedly posing with friends as she makes her rounds on the Lebanese social scene. Marianne and her husband also seem to enjoy an active lifestyle sailing the Greek Islands on vacation and regularly spotted out and about.

I think Marianne Helou definitely has the poise and fashion sense required for First Lady material and would definitely be a subject of intrigue for international media if her husband where to be elected as Lebanon’s president. She would be the first French native to hold such a position and I think she would excel in the fashion department with her signature statement pieces styled with simple mostly black attire.

There’s no doubt Marianne Helou is an elegant woman who may just bring a new sort of charm and sophistication to the table.

You can also watch Marianne Helou interviewed by Fashiontv at Dany Atrache’s Fashion Show in Paris at the 1:23 min mark

Image source Mondanite.net

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Profiling Lebanon’s Next First Lady: Rima Karkafi Frangieh

June 2, 2014 - 2 Comments

Despite Lebanon’s current presidential void, we’re still hoping for a fashion forward first lady. Last week we took a closer look at Sethrida Geagea, wife of presidential candidate Samir Geagea. This week, Rima Karkafi Frangieh is on our fashion radar, wife of presidential hopeful and Marada party leader Sleiman Frangieh.

Rima is Sleiman’s second wife and mother of his youngest child Vera. Before wedding Frangieh in 2003, Rima worked as a TV presenter at the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) for seven years. Prior to that Rima who hails from an Iraqi mother and Lebanese father lived and attended university in Sydney after fleeing the war in Lebanon. Rima is most known for her social activism most notably in the North where she resides and volunteers her time to various charity causes and is the President of Ehdeniyat International Festival as well as the North Autism center.

In spite of her husband’s somewhat bleak chances of becoming president, there’s no denying Rima’s first lady material. With her feminine style and signature hair Rima will add a dainty allure to the presidential palace. We have no doubt she’ll be able to hold her ground amongst the world’s most fashionable first ladies.

Take a look at Rima Frangieh’s most fashionable moments.

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Profiling Lebanon’s Next First Lady: Sethrida Geagea

May 22, 2014 - 4 Comments

Her husband’s presidential candidacy may be the most contested issue of the moment, but there’s no denying his Ghanaian-born wife and Lebanese American University (LAU) graduate Sethrida Geagea’s (47), high-key approach and mark on the political scene. She’s one of 4 women who currently occupy a seat in Lebanon’s male-dominated 128 seat parliament and she’s not afraid to speak her mind, advocating for a number of issues most notably electoral quota for women and domestic violence.

She’s a topic of intrigue in the media, with her stand-offish attitude, and demure yet outspoken demeanor. Her indisputable good looks have also made Sethrida Geagea somewhat of a local tabloid obsession, known for her bold fashion choices and at times controversial ones.

Love her or hate her Sethrida Geagea may be Lebanon’s next first lady and there’s no denying how well she would handle that role from a fashion perspective. If there’s one thing we look forward to is watching her style evolve at the presidential palace as it has done throughout the years. Here is a compilation of Sethrida Geagea’s most memorable fashion moments.