Egypt Independent: Fashion

Azza Fahmy launches design studio

Amany Aly Shawky — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:54:00 +0000

In a simple and chic event at Darb 1718 in Fustat, renowned jewelry design company Azza Fahmy celebrated the official launch of its design studio in association with Alchimia Contemporary Jewelry School in Florence, Italy. Artists, journalists and Azza Fahmy fans flocked to the event, sipping wine and munching on finger food.

Although the first semester at the Azza Fahmy Design Studio has already begun, the team was determined to put on a glamorous soiree. The studio offers its students a three-year program that includes both theoretical and studio work.

As well as cultivating new skills, the students will have the opportunity to participate in international exhibitions around Europe and attend selected courses at the Alchimia school in Florence. Students of all ages and nationalities are welcome to register for the course, in which selected internationally acclaimed instructors will be teaching to ensure an internationally approved curriculum. Students will have the chance to work with silver, gold and stones.

The studio is cozy and well-arranged. On the first floor, there is a reception and a small kitchen area, while the workshop and equipment are placed on the second floor.

The new school of art and beauty is located in Old Cairo on Qasr al-Shamaa Street, Fakhareen.

For more information, visit www.azzafahmydesign.com

Glitz and glam: Fashion night in Giza an opportunity for designers

Amany Aly Shawky — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 12:52:00 +0000

Cairo celebrated a second night of beauty and glam Saturday in a festive evening of fashion at First Mall in Giza, with hundreds flocking to the venue from 6 pm and into the late hours of the night.

The fashion extravaganza aimed to attract customers to the mall by hosting mini-events at various stores and outlets, including High Tea at Tiffany’s, a Bulgari charity event and a cocktail party hosted by the French ambassador. There was also an interview with legendary jewelry guru Azza Fahmy, as well as a chance to win a special piece from the jeweler’s collection.

Baraka Optics celebrated the event with a discount from 7 pm to 9 pm on selected eyewear brands, and 20 people won pink gold bracelets from Sabry Maarouf Bijoux’s Ultima collection.

Many stores during the event promised customers a special gift for purchases of more than LE5,000, while others offered sneak peeks at their latest collections and champagne.

Designer Deana Shaaban offered clients the chance to model in a vintage photo shoot, in addition to giveaways with purchases.

But the main event of the night was a fashion show featuring the mall’s best items, the latest collections by Egyptian designers and an exclusive selection of evening gowns by designer Hani El Behairy. The show featured items from Amina K, Boho Sharky, Shaaban, Sabry Maarouf Bijoux, Nazeeka, Tanis, the Pink Powder Room and El Horreya.

The event attracted hundreds, as well as creating awareness about some of Egypt’s best fashion designers and jewelers in a festive and glamorous extravaganza.

Designer Sarah Sameh, co-founder of the Chou n Sue brand, says the evening was enjoyable, but could have been better attended.

“The event provided good exposure for many of the designers but, unfortunately, not many people showed up for the fashion gala,” Sameh says.

Despite this, and a feeling that buyers could have been more enthusiastic, she says Chou n Sue had a good night. “I sold two jackets to two Italian clients,” she says.

Shaaban was also positive about the evening and the opportunity to meet new designers and clients.

“My head pieces were a hit,” says Shaaban, who also took the opportunity to sell many of her ready-to-wear items from previous collections at discounted prices. “I also received several orders for evening gowns.”

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Bejeweled: Two young designers create winter collections for 2013

Amany Aly Shawky — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:15:00 +0000

Local jewelry and accessories have grown in popularity in the past few years, with homegrown designers honing their skills and working their magic. For Tash and Mandolini, copper and silver, plated in gold, have proven to be the perfect materials for creating stunning but reasonably priced jewelry. Using semiprecious stones and gems, these two young designers have come up with winter collections that are colorful and bold.

Mandolini: Egyptian copper welded with an Italian touch

Gold-plated copper accessories have made a comeback in the world of jewelry in the last few years, with the shiny pieces of art combining both affordability and beauty. Mandolini Accessories recently launched a new winter collection of gold-plated copper adornments.

The collection is elegant and original; the shiny yellow layer of gold contrasts with a variety of semiprecious stones in vibrant colors. The merge of colors is energetic — dark green, turquoise, royal blue and pearl white are among the mixes available.

Large, dangling earrings and fusions of colors and shapes, geometrical and organic, are the collection’s strong points, while large and medium-sized plain hammered bangles are the main attraction. Mandolini’s winter pair is the amethyst snake ring with its matching earrings.

Semiprecious stones such as onyx, ruby, emerald, aquamarine and turquoise are the main stones of the season, and although the entire collection is new and beautiful, a golden butterfly necklace with dangling onyx stones stood out, with its delicate lines and its intertwined yet precise design.

Designer Nathalie Azar launched her first Mandolini collection three years ago.

“Joining the online boutique, Style Treasure, last November gave my first collection the viewers and push it needed,” says the designer, who is half-Italian. Azar says most materials used in her designs are 100 percent Egyptian, except for some rare semiprecious stones, usually imported from India or Turkey.

“Egyptian workmanship is the best worldwide, but unfortunately, we have become lazy,” she says, pointing out the challenges in the field.

Other than the online boutique, the young designer displays her work at Royal Nails in both Heliopolis and Maadi. Mandolini is also a regular exhibitor in fashion bazaars around the city.

“The economic state of the country is not encouraging for small businesses, and opening a boutique or a small store for accessories would be the wrong step now,” says Azar, pointing out the benefits of fashion bazaars. “I dream of turning Mandolini into a fashion house, but, for the moment, I am sticking to accessories.”

Being an Egyptian with Italian, Polish and Lebanese blood has pushed Azar to combine her heritage with a European touch.

Hammered copper is the signature feature of her winter collection, the jeweler says. Despite elegant taste and unique designs, the prices are affordable to many, ranging between LE180 and LE300.

The collection includes 31 pieces, including rings, necklaces, earrings and cuffs.

For more information, visit the Mandolini Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/mandoliniaccessories or www.style-treasure.com.

A blend of styles: Tash launches its colorful winter collection

With intertwined cords, chains of gold-hugging turquoise tear drops and pearls of all colors and shapes, Tash’s new collection is a blend of tastes, shapes and colors. It mixes Oriental touches with Islamic, Roman and pharaonic shapes.

Tash’s pieces are mostly gold-plated silver.

“Only the big and heavy designs are made of copper, then given a layer of gold,” says Celine Antaki, co-founder of Tash Jewelry.

The collection this winter is contrasting and rich; the tear drop shape seems to dominate the collection. The collection features a two-layered chain with a “Masha’Allah” pendant and dangling pieces of aquamarine and other colored gems. Other designs mix gold chains with turquoise and pearls.

Aside from the delicate curves of the pendants, Tash’s collection features symmetrical geometrical shapes in necklaces and cuffs while mixing bright gold with the depth of the turquoise, a blend found often in pharaonic jewelry.

Charms also appeared in the new winter collection. Fatimah’s hand and 25-piaster coins appear in earrings, alongside peace signs in pendants. Like Mandolini, hammered pieces seem to dominate the collection, which gives the pieces an edge and breaks the extra shine of the golden ornaments.

“This season’s collection mixes Oriental with funky,” says Antaki.

The cord chandelier earring is definitely Roman-inspired; the tangled hammered cords create three circular shapes with a tear drop hanging from them. The LE550 earring is unique and simple. The double-hoop earring is also a hit; it is simple yet elegant and can be worn on almost every occasion.

Pieces range between LE300 to LE1,000, and special orders are also possible, just in case you’re looking for an old piece from a previous collection, for example. Each collection contains about 20 to 30 pieces.

“We have a new collection every two months, as people get bored pretty easily and the accessories market has a lot to offer,” explains Antaki, the daughter of fashion guru Paul Antaki.

The young designer says she looks up to her father and always goes back to him for advice.

Tash is the creation of both Celine and Tina Antaki.

“We founded Tash three years ago,” says Celine Antaki, who goes on to say it all started with a simple beaded bracelet called “Enta Omry,” or “You Are My Life.”

“Tina posted it on Facebook and it sold like crazy,” she says. The final product is 100 percent Egyptian, she says, except for certain types of gems that can only be purchased abroad.

Tash’s jewelry is available in the Mounaya concept store in Zamalek, by Hebz Store, in addition to Tash’s Facebook page. The jeweler also displays the collection on Style Treasure, the online boutique.

“We are slowly but surely targeting the international market,” says Antaki.

For more information, visit www.style-treasure.com, or the Tash Facebook page.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.

Muscat Fashion Week comes to a close

Nevine El Shabrawy — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:31:00 +0000

Now in its third year, Oman’s annual Muscat Fashion Week last week attracted a host of the region’s most talented designers – not only well-established names, but also promising faces of the future.

“This is the beauty of Muscat Fashion Week,” said HE Sultan Bin Hamdoon al-Harthi. “There are some incredible undiscovered talents out there who need to be noticed, and we are extremely proud to offer a platform for the next generation of Arab designers.”

Showcasing a truly diverse mix of Middle Eastern fashion, this year saw representation from the UAE, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco and of course, Oman. Attendees viewed the latest collections within the expansive gardens of Riyam Park.

Flying the flag for Oman, Muscat Fashion Week veteran, Nawal al-Hooti, wowed guests as muted grey, deep blue and amber tones were adorned by traditional Omani beading and embroidery. Emirati design duo Reem and Hind Beljafla followed suit with an equally impressive collection of sleek, theatrical shapes in luxurious gold and neutral shades with a pop of bright colours and a multicultural influence.

Glamorous gowns were in abundance when evening-wear designer Tatyana Aceeva’s red carpet worthy collection worthy of the red carpet hit the stage. Blush-colored lace dresses flowed beautifully as striking teals and ruby reds broke up the softer hues. Finally, Moroccan designer, Zhor Raîs, brought the day to its glamorous end with long silhouettes in soft creams, olive greens and a dash of yellow, emblazoned with intricate embroidery and cummerbund belts.

Qatar-based demi-couture label, Toujouri, lead the fashion pack as Creative Director, Lama al-Moatessem, lit up the runway with her glamorous designs. Heavily inspired by the work of visual artist cum fine arts photographer, Bea Kayani, the collection was brimming with character and colur. Full-skirted ball gowns with cinched waists sashayed down the runway alongside chic jumpsuits and column dresses, setting the bar high for the evening ahead.

Dynamic design duo, Kanzi offered a sleek, modern collection of abayas, kaftans and flowing dresses with the twist of metal embellishments. Long silhouettes meshed well with fitted jackets that had structured shoulders, with vibrant pops of magenta, pink and turquoise bursting through the black and neutral base pallet.

Razan Alazzouni’s star quality shone through as her largely monochrome collection drew a collective nod of approval from the crowd. Voluminous skirts and dresses featured heavily throughout the collection that had spikes of red, lemon and cobalt blue.

On hand to infuse some local spice into the evening were Omani sisters, Dibaj. Khanjar belts and folklore embroidered cuffs and hemlines gave a distinctly traditional feel to the collection that featured an array of rich hues. Pantsuits featured alongside draped dresses and kaftans. Omani gold and silver jewellery finished the collection off perfectly.

Rashmi Kumari, the unstoppable force behind the label, C’est Moi, unveiled an exceptional collection that showed off intricate beadwork and embroidery. Bright and bold colours adorned an array of silhouettes including dreamy flowing dresses that had a luxury Bohemian feel.

Omani sisters Lubna and Nadia al-Zakwani – the creative minds behind the Endemage label – mesmerized the crowd with their forward-looking creations that creatively infuse traditional Omani motifs into the core of their collection.

Ahmed Talfit introduced a sculptural, avant-garde collection with powerful figures for the penultimate show. Leather, silk and tulle meshed together magnificently, with particular emphasis on strong shoulders and accentuated waistlines.

Picks for 2012: The fashion we’ll take into the new year

Nevine El Shabrawy — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 15:03:00 +0000

As the year comes to a a close, winter settles in on our wardrobes, piling over memories of sleeveless tops, warm nights and flip flops. While Cairo struggles through its political crises, young fashion designers have been struggling through their own efforts to find an identity and bring their designs to the forefront. And Cairo fashion has never been so local — from glasses to bags, shoes and outfits, Cairenes have been looking at Cairo’s designers for wardrobe updates. We’ve seen beautiful clothing, jewelry and beauty products throughout 2012, but narrowing it down to our favorite four has been easy.

MC Hammer pants

Comfortable, striking and tummy-flattening, these loose and baggy pants are attributed to everything from fishermen to MC Hammer and Afghanistan. Thalath Fashion for everyday wear calls them the “chill pants” and sells a colorful pair for LE160.

Proud to be Egyptian

Whether it’s using khayameya tent fabric for designs or putting Egypt-loving designs on the front of T-shirts, local designers have been expressing Egyptian pride through many of their designs. Azza Fahmy featured her “Rumuz” line with Egyptian folkloric symbols, Hiba el-Awadi made plastic bracelets with the Egyptian eagle and P.E.G.by O! (Proud Egyptian Girl by Ola Bitar) featured cotton T-shirts with funky traditional iconography.

Natural beauty products

While foreign beauty product companies market the organic naturalness of their new lines, local producer Nefertari is an expert in the all-natural. Their body care line includes natural kohl eye liner, scrubs, candles, massage oil and shea butter soap (LE90) for the face and body.

Bracelet layering

Mixing gold, silver, thread and plastic has never looked so great. As “Boho Chic” continues to lurk about the fashion scene these days, the layered bracelet look mixes the cheap and the expensive, the colorful and the meaningful, creating artwork that accentuates the wrist. Pair Retro Chic’s fun rubber bracelets sell for LE63, and bracelets with beads and threads from Fortheloveof for LE154.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.

The future of fashion: New academy develops promising talent

Heba Helmy — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Launched to fill the fashion education void in Egypt, the Young Fashion Academy (YFA) is a comprehensive program aiming to introduce talented children to the fascinating world of fashion — and also teach them professional skills.

“Girls usually start to show an interest in fashion trends at a young age. But there is a lack of professional courses in the country that can teach them a basic understanding of the nature of fashion and put them on the path toward a creative career,” explains Tamr Adly Rizkallah, fashion designer and founder of YFA.

The academy held its first classes in June, offering both a short and long course to give students the opportunity to choose the one that best suits their needs. Both courses include hands-on experience and theoretical study, and target children and young people aged from 9 to 17 years old.

The one-month short course usually revolves around a specific theme, like beachwear or fall/winter trends, depending on when the course is held.

The long course lasts for up to two years. Students acquire in-depth design knowledge addressing the many diverse areas in the fashion industry, introduced in simplified teaching methods to suit the young participants.

The academy puts a special emphasis on the basics of design, including sketching, rendering and illustrating, as well as patternmaking and sewing.

“During the first phase of the program, students get a background on the different kinds of fabrics, how to incorporate them into their designs and a step-by-step patternmaking process,” Rizkallah says.

The program gives students a window into the world of global trends and high street fashion, as well as honing their research skills and helping them find inspiration for their own pieces.

“The sky is the limit when it comes to the design they want to work on, whether it’s a dress they saw in a magazine, a country costume or a favorite Halloween costume,” says Rizkallah. “The program is a learning journey that allows each student to create a unique sense of style based on stretching their imaginations and exploring fashion variations.”

Doaa Arafa, whose daughter, Noor, participated in the YFA program, believes her mastering the basics of fashion design at the age of 10 was quite an achievement.

“She not only had fun, but was also able to express herself freely by demonstrating her artistic skills through designing simple accessories such as a bag,” Arafa says, adding that children feel confident and proud when making a masterpiece with their own hands.

The program is particularly geared toward providing real work experience with each student having to produce their own piece at the end of the course. Students whose designs are particularly attractive will have their work showcased next summer at a fashion show held by the academy.

Abeer al-Gamal, mother of 16-year-old Nora, thinks the academy’s program fostered her daughter’s skills and desire to become a professional fashion designer in the future.

“My daughter has been fond of sketching since childhood, but the hands-on experience has encouraged her to seriously consider pursuing a professional career in the fashion industry, especially after being recognized for her talent,” Gamal says.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.

Bridal bootcamp: Our guide to looking and feeling your best on the big day

Amany Aly Shawky — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:40:00 +0000

Preparing for your wedding can consume weeks and even months of your time before the special day. Along with all the other preparations, brides-to-be should also start a beauty regime for their hair, face and body well in advance if possible.

Hair

If you’re planning to dye or cut your hair, do so a couple of weeks before the big day. Plan a hair rehearsal with your stylist at least 10 days before the wedding, and don’t forget to bring the veil or headpiece to try out different looks. Plan a bain d’huile or bain de creme a few days before to give that special glow and smoothness to your locks.

Face

Arrange for a facial a week before the wedding and refrain from wearing makeup for two to three days afterwards. If you suffer from acne or breakouts, make an appointment with a dermatologist right away.

Abide religiously to your daily beauty regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. If you’re planning to experiment with permanent makeup, do it at least two to three weeks before your wedding. Tattoo makeup takes about a week to peel and reach its final color.

If you have dark circles, try Chanel’s eye cream or Happyology by Guerlain. To avoid puffy eyes, try to get a good night’s sleep and avoid salty foods to prevent water retention. Make sure to stay away from extreme sun exposure to prevent tan lines on that vital shoulder and neck area.

Finally, schedule a rehearsal with your makeup artist a few weeks before your wedding day to decide on the look and colors he or she will use. Ask a specialist for a facial mask you can apply for a fresh and radiant look.

Legs and arms

Schedule a waxing session a couple of days before your wedding. Get a manicure and a pedicure a day before your special night.

Most brides choose a French manicure because it looks simple and elegant, and goes with the general theme of white. But if painting your nails red is what you have in mind, make sure to tone down your lipstick.

If you want a sun-kissed look, you might want to consider a tanning session at places such as Pace e Lucy or Clarins.

Body

Schedule a relaxing massage a day before the event. For exfoliation, opt for a Moroccan bath; if the beautifying bath is too harsh for your skin, get a special body treatment at a nearby spa.

A Cleopatra milk bath is also highly recommended, and body treatments such as a papyrus wrap or a chocolate bath are also available. Most of all, make sure you get enough rest before your big day and drink plenty of water to keep your skin looking its best.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.

Wedding festival at Fairmont Heliopolis

Heba Helmy — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 15:08:00 +0000

A number of wedding related vendors have gathered at the Fairmont Heliopolis today for the Fairmont’s 3rd Annual Wedding Festival, which runs from 24-25 November.

An opportunity for brides and grooms to check out some of Cairo’s local wedding and marriage-related services and products, the festival offers up gowns on the fashion show runway, music, flowers to carry down the aisle, cake samples, honeymoon packages, linens and home accessories.

The Festival opens its doors for prospective brides and grooms from 12 pm to 11 pm both days at the Canyon Ballroom.

A wide array of wedding and event planners come together to give festival visitors variety, including Flamengo by Dina Zaki, 4 Lovers by Eman Sheta, Joy Events and Wedding Planning, Chantalle Maria, and Ever After Honeymoon Planner.

La Praline Chocolates, Nina Shawky Beddings, Maha Youssef Make-up Artist, Customine Invitations by Mirale al-Baz, Faces, and Mawaheb are among the exhibitors. It is an opportunity to gather information, view the latest in wedding ideas, and get advice from professionals in the wedding business.

The two-day, fun-filled event also promises its visitors a mini salon for trying out different hairstyles, a built-in studio for complimentary practice photos, free makeup kits, and a honeymoon trip as a raffle prize.

As for the hotel, Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers is offering complimentary stays as well as complimentary dinner vouchers at its restaurants. Additionally, if guests book their weddings in 2013 at Fairmont Heliopolis and Towers during the festival, they will have a chance to get the same rates of 2012.

A hair styling show by Mohamed Al-Sageer and Pace e Luce will be held Saturday evening, while internationally acclaimed dress designer Hany El-Beheiry will show his latest gowns in a fashion show that begins at 8 pm 25 November.

The jeweler and the artist: A new showroom features classic jewelry alongside modern artwork

Rana Khaled — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Mixing the classic with the modern created a unique vibe that impressed all those attending the opening night of the Dina Maghawry Design Showroom in Zamalek. A brilliant collaboration between jewelry designer Maghawry and painter Hassan Hassan, the event proved just how beautifully different arts can complement each other.

Although best known for her Western designs, Maghawry decided this time to showcase the classic, traditional spirit of Egypt. “After the revolution, my love and affiliation for the country increased, and I felt it was my duty to start representing our unique culture in my work,” she says.

The gallery includes four jewelry collections, each telling a different story about Egyptian heritage. In her Patrie collection, you can find Egyptian symbols, such as coins and old and new flags, while in her Fallaha collection, the long, remarkable earrings that distinguish women in villages will be the first thing to catch your eye.

Also, Bedouin and Nubian styles appear in the necklaces and earrings of the Gamar Buda collection. Oxidized silver and old diamonds are used in the pieces presented in the Patina collection to give the impression of antique textures.

As usual, Maghawry pays special attention to mixing bright colors to add a sense of joy to the pieces. She uses a wide range of gemstones including aquamarine, pearls, garnet, diamonds and quartz, which add charm and beauty to each collection.

Maghawry started making and designing jewelry in 2000. She attended exhibitions and took courses to learn the techniques of creating jewelry and installing gemstones. She says she persisted with her dream until she could finally open her own jewelry workshop.

Because she did it on her own, Maghawry explains, one of her main objectives is promoting young Egyptian artists who also face difficulties, especially in finding exhibition spaces. At her opening, Maghawry shared the spotlight with Hassan, whose paintings, she believes, offer a new vision.

Above the jewelry display cases, Hassan’s paintings hang on the walls — their bright, joyful colors perfectly in sync with the equally colorful jewelry. With paintings such as “Odd Ball,” “Melting” and “Oops, I had a feeling,” Hassan expresses many of the issues that have concerned women over the years. Although many artists after the revolution became more focused on tackling political issues, he thinks representing social issues is also important.

Hassan says he was delighted to particpate in the gallery. “I liked the idea that Dina wanted to combine between different kinds of arts. This allowed us to blend the classic style she adopts in her jewelry with the modern style of my paintings,” he says.

Lina Abdel Ghafar, who attended the gallery opening, says what distinguishes Maghawry from other designers is her ability to express Egyptian culture in both a funky and deep way. “I love the energy behind her designs and I love the expressive colors she uses. I bought an old Egyptian flag bracelet as it’s remarkable. I’ve never seen something like it before anywhere,” she says.

On the other side of the production process, Maghawry thinks that focusing on quality instead of quantity, not copying foreign models, encouraging creativity and teaching the craft to new generations could all contribute to developing jewelry handicrafts in Egypt.

She also insists on making jewelry available for everyone by selling it at reasonable prices. “Although a lot of foreigners demand my work, I want to focus more on the local market,” she says. “I intend to open galleries in Alex and Aswan soon.”

Pop your collar: Winter wardrobes come out of hibernation

Nevine El Shabrawy — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:08:00 +0000

You’ve never been a “slave to fashion,” per se, but knowing what’s going on in the fashion world can’t hurt — especially when it offers you an excuse to do a little extra shopping.

This fall brings five “new” and unexpected items to the table. Take the opportunity to head out to the stores, bring out some of the old clothes you could never part with, or simply cut up your wardrobe for a new look.

Mix and match

According to this year’s catwalks, mix and match textures and styles — eveningwear with knits, for instance — while keeping colors cohesive. Think your old comfy, chunky sweater with a shiny skirt for a wintery night out.

Knits are in, so your chunky sweater should be coming out no matter what. That being said, matching is favored with suits this fall and whether you’re donning flowers or plaid, matching tops and bottoms or suits made of the same fabric are a big hit.

Collars off

Detachable collars! Yes, you read it right — apparently, this is the winter 2012 fashion originally invented in Troy, New York, in 1827, when a woman decided it would be more practical to wash her husband’s collar by cutting it off and sewing it on again. The detachable collar can dress up anything from a t-shirt to a collarless blouse.

Disco is not dead

This season, don psychedelic prints (think 1970s) and purchase those groovy pants you’ve been dreaming of. Grow out your hair, consider jumpsuits and wear sunglasses at all times. A multitude of flowers will do, but in any case, there will be a lot of detail this winter — less “basics.”

Over belts

Just when you thought they’d go away, over belts or particularly tight waist-high belts that are put over dresses have now entered the world of belts over large coats. Although you don’t necessarily need a great figure to pull these off, you do need to be true to your waist. Forget the years of low rise when you decide to buckle up your “over belt.”

Black and leather

Black, baggy leather pants are all the rage on the catwalks for winter. Although this might be a big step outside your comfort zone, for those more adventurous, it’s a nice twist on wearing leather. If you want to pick one, black is definitely back for winter, with a majority of the top designers putting out model after model wearing black on black.

This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent’s weekly print edition.