Mischa Barton in Dubai

For such a glitzy, glamorous, fashion-forward and generally modern city, Dubai sure has a weird penchant for celebrating American wash-outs and has-beens on it's soil.

What gives?

First we had this (see Paris Hilton actually came here 3 times!She's also been arrested 3 times):

Then this one:

This one is my fav and in the league of her own.  Besides, financial crime is not really "crime" crime, right?

On May 8 another mug shot model visited our shores:

This time it was former American favorite train-wreck Mischa Barton.  To be perfectly honest though, Mischa looked scrubbed clean and very, very pretty.  Perhaps, things are going well for her?

Mischa was here to launch her new "boho" clothing line in one of the local stores in Dubai Mall.  Store is called Rivage and i haven't been to see what she has to offer.  If her "Mischa's Place" crap is any indication - then it's probably the same lazy and half-hearted attempt to sell striped leggings for $100.
I read interview with her in nymag.com and she says that she chose Dubai to premier her collection because:

''Women there like her stuff, apparently, and went out of their way to buy things from her accessories line, which she started in 2009. “It wasn’t even available in this market, but women really made a great effort to get the bags,” Barton told WWD.''

Really? I was here in 2009 and don't remember anything even remotely related.

Oh, Mischa...Aren't you the next Victoria Beckham!

Mischa is slouching in a dress she designed and sells

Would you buy it?

Pix from jawahra.me

Freaky Fridays: Dubai Edition

This one is old news, but still pretty freaky.  Some ad agency in Dubai made this for local Chinese restaurant.
It didn't run.

BTW, i don't find it offensive, but then i'm not Chinese.

Freaky Fridays: Dubai Edition

From the creative geniuses of ad campaign for local watch reseller.

Do you wanna join the movement???

Things I Covet

1.  Peace in the Middle East


Seriously.
I wish this region peace and prosperity.  I want to go to Syria and visit ancient Allepo and Damascus, experience famous Syrian hospitality and perhaps, buy a piece of gorgeous damascene furniture.  I want to go to Beirut and enjoy it's sites without being constantly security-checked and re-checked at most entrances.  Is it too much to ask?


2. Barbour Quilted Jacket


This is probably temporarily insanity, but since i came back from France a week ago, i've been obsessed with Barbour jackets.  It was nice and cool 15 Celsius and parisians looked tre chic in their black scarves, black boots and black quilted Barbour jackets.  Girls had those ugly doctor-bag looking satchels hanging from their shoulders, some in brown distressed leather, some black and some (horror!) neon colored.

Satchels i don't care for at all, but quilted Barbour jackets rock my boat!

3. Pastel Colored Jeans


Is one ever too old for pink colored jeans?  Is there cut off date to apply to the pastel-loving club?
Am I past my baby pink-jeans wearing exparation date?
Oh, the conundrum!

Plus, I'd like to purchase an ass and legs like Christina Millian's

Dubai World Cup 2012

So, back on March 31 Dubai held it's own World Cup 2012.  Ruler of Dubai won the race this time, so my belated congrats to him.  Also, Tony Braxton was dragged out of the attic box, where she is being stored together with some moth balls and sang some songs.
Umm, what else... Oh, yeah, ladies wore hats.

In order to provide some meaningful commentary - because, after all you can just see the pix anywhere - i've broken this down to several categories:

Mad Hatter Couture (speaks for itself) :

Looks like this one is made out of hair.  Gross.

Also this one

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (and grabbed some feathers):

I like this one - something that Evil Queen from Snow White would wear to the races.
Also, the woman is beautiful.

Someone's excited

Girl, This Is Not a Hat :

Greek Goddess

My Personal Faves:

I like them because some of them are understated, yet pretty; some unusual but classy at the same time and some are just playful.   To be honest, i also like everyone's head gear in "Girl, This Is Not A Hat" category, but technically, they are not hats.

So, here you have it folks.  

Whadda ya say?

Pix via www.timeoutdubai.com

From Russia with Love: Miroslava Duma

Few days back i received an email from local sushi restaurant, OKKU inviting to an evening with Miroslava Duma, former fashion editor to Harper's Bazaar Russia.

"Well, Who Dat?" i thought to myself.  See, i'm not very familiar with russian fashionistas, save Ulyana Sergeenko, Renata Litvinova and maybe a one or two more.

Apparently, Ms. Duma is young, petite, well connected and well dressed lady.

Russians, who still have quite a few "class issues" are often snicker at her accomplishments and style, saying that she is simply fortunate enough to be born into a right family - her father is a senator of sorts.

Well, lots of girls have rich and connected daddies, but not all of them manage to become fash editor of a prominent publication at the tender age of 25, get noticed for their individual style and make a name for themselves among artsy types.

Anyway, Miroslava Duma was in Dubai to star in a marketing campaign for a local store Symphony, Dubai Mall.
Check it out:

Dress by Alessandra Rich

Dress by Rachael Zoe. BANANAS!

Dress by Jason Wu

Dress by Luisa Beccaria

Not sure what is this, but whatever it is is by Naeem Khan

Shoes by Charlotte Olympia.  Awesome!

Pix from www.symphony.ae

GFY on Aiisha Ramadan

GoFugYourself  is one of my absolute fave blogs out there (Dlisted being another).  I love it for it's brutal honesty, devil may care attitude towards big fashion names, shits-and-giggles writing style and self-depreciating sentiments of the writers.
Basically, it's all that The Bag Snob used to be, but sadly sold out for big bucks.

Anyway, i was looking through it recently and to my utter surprise came upon THAT DRESS!
Clearly, Aiisha Ramadan is bringing out big guns in States, dressing young starlets and all.

Torrey DeVitto wearing Aiisha Ramadan

This female is an actress-type in The Vampire Diaries (is vampire fad ever going away?) and she wore Aiisha Ramadan's dress to Elton John's Oscar Party.

GFY, being a carelessly honest, harshly opinionated and far removed from the PR types of Dubai had this to say about it :

"This, I don't mind. It's kind of 1960s Bride, but I can live with that. The back seems particularly bridal, but it's pretty. Good pop of color with the earrings, too."


So, congratulations Aiisha Ramadan!
Not exactly a glowing review, but it's a compliment, right?
Right???