The DMD Files

WHITE!

2010-09-05T04:47:00.006-04:00

I have become a Contributing Fashion Editor/Writer for "WHITE", an online bridal magazine that features everything from bridal beauty tips, to fashion, to destinations, etc, and is based out of Dubai. I'm elated to be a part of such a sensational site. If you have a moment, read my first article;))

http://www.whiteme.net/magazine/2010/09/how-to-become-a-timeless-bride/

I'd love to get your feedback!

Creativity & Originality!

2010-08-28T03:37:00.015-04:00

Just a thought that has been on my mind forever, and even more so recently:

"Creativity is when you make something out of nothing.....many take that something and try embellishing it without creating something new along the way.....The truth is, they don't realize that it lacks originality, and they lack creativity!"--Me.

Lost Journey.....VN FOLD Magazine!

2010-08-21T15:05:00.009-04:00

Lost Journey!

Yesssssssssss!!!!
A superb editorial is finally out on VN Fold magazine. Shot in New York by the brilliant Kristiina Wilson, grooming by Andy Starkweater, model Xoan from DNA Models, and styling by yours truly. This is the 3rd issue of the magazine and the theme was about being close to nature......I just loved how the whole story came together......with Kristiina's choice of location and photographic angles, Xoan's strong looks with his beard and darting green eyes, Andy's vagabond like grooming, and the overall wardrobe selection (might be getting a little modest here!!).....I'm just very thrilled about it!
Enjoy it!

http://www.vnfold.com/fashion/178

What I'm upto next week??

2010-08-20T12:08:00.010-04:00

For the next five days starting on Sunday next week, I'll be styling a shoot and video for Emirates airlines. We will be shooting aboard the A-380 craft, focusing on the different classes, amenities, and passengers. A team made up of 4 different photographers plus their assistants, 3 wardrobe stylists plus 2 assistants, 2 make-up and hairstylists plus one assistant, 3 production people plus an assistant, and 43 different models that were cast from ordinary people (ranging from ages 4 through 40's), 3 different creative directors, and 8 Emirates airlines staff members.......should be quite a challenge filled with lots of excitement.....looking forward to it!

Last week.....

2010-08-19T12:25:00.001-04:00

I see.....

Bubble Wrap Couture

And more to come on that note;))

Psssssstttttttt......

2010-08-15T13:27:00.002-04:00

A glimpse;)

Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - Bang Bang Bang

2010-08-15T05:18:00.002-04:00

I can't get this track off my head....it's like crack!! I love it....and Q-tip is unbelievable in it, always been a fan of his. Styling is 80's with an edge of millenia of course! I remember learning this song "Je te plumerai" at pre-school. Great remix by Mark Ronson & The Business International!

Happy Birthday.....To me:))

2010-08-11T05:44:00.003-04:00

Another year....33, and I'm ecstatic! The best is yet to come......

Sizzle the summer...The booker's blog @ Bareface!

2010-07-27T05:47:00.002-04:00

Just wrote a great article for the summer's new trends @ my agency's blog. Check it out:

http://thebookersblog.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/sizzle-this-summer /

Hoping to write more for them....and for myself:))

Product/Still Life Styling.

2010-07-23T05:20:00.010-04:00

I just recently got into Product/Still Life styling. I did do small time projects of this sort in the past, but now I'm doing them for magazines, and I'm just loving how my imagination is taking me on many fun adventures with this. Here are a few that I did and have recently been published in Haya MBC magazine in Dubai, shot by photographer Hussain Jian. Watch this space and more to come on my site!

A slacker's excuse!!!!

2010-07-01T02:14:00.009-04:00

Yes, I've disappeared from the face of this blog for almost 8 months. Any particular reason? Well besides being a slacker when it comes to blogging, I've been trying to adjust to my new surroundings which has kept me busy......but the good news is: I've worked on so many exciting shoots, and I am now based between Dubai and New York. I'm collaborating with lots of talented people, magazines, advertising clients, and good causes. Keep a look out for all the great and wonderful things coming up. Until then, I promise I won't be a slacker again;)) Xx

Oil of Olay-White Radiance Cream Campaign.

2010-06-30T04:11:00.019-04:00

Today, I worked on an ad campaign for Oil of Olay-White Radiance Cream, a client for Saatchi & Saatchi. It was an exciting projected, booked by my agency in Dubai, Bareface. The model, Sara Powell (repped by Next Models New York, and Modelwe rk Hamburg), was flown in from Germany. The team was comprised of the talented Dennie Pasion from Bareface, who did hair + makeup, and photography was by Alexa Singer, also from Bareface and just flew in from Cape Town for the project, and who by the way was a top South African model in the 80's featured on the covers of Vogue 16 times back then. Assistant photographer was Jay Jayendran, and Bareface producer Gemma Beecher. Campaign shot to follow soon:)

Alexa Singer

Model: Sara Powell

Team at work!

Angular Muliebrity--Edition by Georges Chakra...

2009-09-12T21:08:00.007-04:00

Need I say more.....This gentleman ( yes, because he really is one) just knows true womanhood, his RTW collection was just spectacular and genuinely elegant. He played around with angles and shapes, and was not afraid to use colors and jewels, and in the most unexpected way.

Once again, I attended the show with my fabulous girl Allia.....managed to score another front row seat;) I just love the luck this season...LOL! The show was a full house, with celebrities from Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, and Simon Van Kempen of the Real Houswives of New York as well as Miss Jay Alexander of America's Next Top Model. I really enjoyed this show, one of my favorites. He had magnificently tall models who were literally gliding in front of us in fuscia's, lime greens, blacks, silvers, and yellows. The gowns just moved freely and beautifully....the girls wore them well.

After the show we made it backstage so we could say hello to Mr. Chakra and congratulate him, he was a lovely man. I also had to meet with his PR rep, Zeina, who had sent me a thoughtful email several months ago thanking me for getting one of Georges' pieces on actress Kelly Carlson for the cover of ROUGE Magazine. She was very nice and thanked us all for the support, also mentioned that if I ever made it to Paris during Haute Couture Week, that I would have an invite waiting.....I know for a fact that I will take her up on that soon ;)

Well done to my fellow Middle Eastern designer....I give you plaudits!

Fashion Week: Yigal Azrouel....

2009-09-11T23:05:00.008-04:00

Day 2 and I made it to the Yigal Azrouel's show, which was scheduled to start @ 11am. I am pretty much beat, but wouldn't miss the show for the world!!

Overall synopsis.....I thought Yigal's collection was fresh and quite cutting-edge. He brought out something different in hipster fashion, making it more state of the art chic and with panache. Models trotted up and down the runway to modern Indie music, thus creating some sort of vicissitude. He is definitely going some place with this concept and I look forward to seeing more of it in his upcoming collections.

Fashion Week: PORTS 1961 and Fashion's Night Out!!!

2009-09-10T01:07:00.017-04:00

What a night!!!!
Started off my day by attending the PORTS 1961 runway show to view their Spring/Summer 2010 collection along with my girls, Julia and Allia. I was so happy to score front row seats right by where the models were coming out from.....woohoo!

Anyway, we arrived and checked in with the invitations ( which were so cool, they were actual fans!). As I was about to go in, ran in to Tony ( PR Director of PORTS 1961) who welcomed all of us with open arms. The runway room (inside the tent) was huge and furnished all in black....I'm usually used to seeing the traditional all white, but this was nice. The catwalk was projected with images of zen like pebbles, plants, and mini waterfalls.....it was breathtaking. Lights were dimmed, music started with an Asian themed beat, lights came back on.....and models were making their way. The collection was GORGEOUS.....I just wanted to see more. Colors of baby pinks, off whites, light grays, corals, and hints of browns and blacks here and there. The silhouettes were feminine with high empire waists wrapped around with obi-like belts, their signature harem pants, origami-like spring coats, and candy-like wedges....OMG, Tia Cibani (PORTS 1961 Designer/Creative Director) went all out. The whole collection was a Japanese version of Jackie Onassis....something I'm sure Michelle Obama would rock beautifully!!

Of course, after the show, I made my way backstage to congratulate Tia and take a few pictures. I then joined Julia and some friends for a night out around the town. This is the first season where Vogue's Anna Wintour, the CFDA, and NYC and Co. created Fashion's Night Out.....A night where they invited all fashion retailers across the city and its boroughs to have their store open late and welcome all of New York to be a part of the fashion scene ( hence boosting up sales!--smart smart!!). So, we've made our way from 5th avenue through downtown meatpacking.....and boy, was it fun. From Salvatore Ferragamo, to Dior ( where we had just missed Charlize Theron by minutes!!) and Chanel, Barneys ( where all the major designers were spotted: Kate Rodarte, Narcisco Rodriguez, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, and Waris Ahluwalia), celebs were everywhere, DJ's spinning at most stores, free drinks and h'orderves......Everyone owned the city that night and there was no stopping us:))

Ended the night at Spice Market, where we all had our last meal for the evening ( full of a lot of laughs and jokes) and I made my way back home.... It was a fabulous night full of great networking and pleasures. It is past 1AM now and I am about to hit the sack and wake up in a few hours for tomorrows show(s)....Bonne Nuit!

New Season-Mercedes Benz Fashion Week S/S 2010

2009-09-09T09:35:00.006-04:00

Here it is once again, that time of year when everyone in this glam industry is at a frenzy. From designers to models to photographers.....just everyone getting that boost of adrenaline rush....woohooo! It's my favorite times of the year......The NYC Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010!!

I have received my invites for some of the best shows, and thanks to some friends in the industry whom I have done amazing work with, and who haven't forgotten to RSVP for me in other Fashion Week Events. This is when we all go out, have a good time, and network away. Look out for my next few posts with pictures and videos from the runway and backstage, or follow me on twitter.

Ahhhhh.....I just love Fashion Week, and I know it loves me back;))

ROUGE Magazine Interview-July August 2009

2009-08-14T12:47:00.004-04:00

So finally, my interview with ROUGE Magazine-Bulgaria has been published in the July/August issue. I got back from Miami, and Julia sends me a text message telling me about it, then she emailed it to me.....I was super excited!!! It features a few of my works, and of course, a little bit about me. Since it is in Bulgarian, I have taken the time to put the translation for you. Enjoy!

R: You styled the shoot with Kelly Carlson for ROUGE. Tell us more about it. I know that you had to transfer the clothes from New York to LA.
D: Well, the photographer who I work with on a regular basis, Julia Pogodina, contacted me about whether I would be interested in doing a gig with Kelly Carlson for ROUGE Magazine, and I jumped to the opportunity—great chances like this don’t come by everyday. It was quite an adventure after that-once the concept was established, it was all about contacting several designer showrooms and their PR’s to get access to clothes and accessories, bringing them back to my place and sorting them out, then packing them. I had a huge suitcase full of beautiful clothes, 3 gowns that I had carried in my hand, and a small bag full of accessories. It was a big risk transporting them that way, because with all the content, the suitcase was worth $50,000. So, I was praying everything got there safely.
R:What was your impression from Kelly? Is she really so beautiful? How did you choose the clothes for her?
D: I thought that Kelly was gorgeous. She has been in the business for a longtime, so she knew exactly what type of looks work for her. Once I walked her through what I had envisioned her in, she was able to see where I was coming from. I chose clothes that were related to the concept-- which was the everyday life of a Hollywood celebrity staying at a hotel. The pictures were going to be movie-like frames with moody vibes and rich backgrounds like a poolside, a suite, a bar/restaurant; so overall I went with my gut feeling of what I thought would look great on her.
R: How does a stylist choose a dress for a model they don’t know personally and have seen them only in the magazines?
D: For the most part, that is how it usually works, we Stylists don’t know the models personally and usually we meet them on set, during castings or backstage of runway shows for the first time, unless we’ve worked with them in the past. There’s usually a concept that is given by the Art Director or Photographer, which is then passed down to everyone in the team, and that includes the Wardrobe Stylist, Hairstylist and Make-up Artist. We look at reference pictures and discuss the idea in depth making sure that it has been embellished on enough. We also take a look at the portfolio images of the chosen model(s), whether she/he has been in several magazines and we have not met before, sizes are given before hand to the Stylist who then shops around with visions of the looks and makes the necessary adjustments a while before the date of the shoot or on set.
R: Tell us more about your childhood. You were born in Sudan and grew up in the United Arab Emirates. Why did you decide to become a stylist?
D: I had a great childhood. Yes, I was born in Khartoum in The Sudan and I moved to the UAE when I was one year old and spent over seventeen years of my life there. My parents are both Eritrean and they provided my siblings and I a very diverse upbringing among many different people. We traveled a lot, studied in international schools, and spoke different languages. I was exposed to the arts at a very young age, music and dancing was very common at my home, since both my parents believed that it brought happiness among us. My father introduced me to Fashion. He loved clothes and knew so much about many designers like Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. He was actually our personal Stylist at home, especially my Mother’s. He enjoyed shopping for her (and all of us) it was his favorite pastime and used to take me along with him. I remember being a little six year old visiting all these massive boutiques and he would place me on one of their armchairs, pulling out all the clothes in front of me, showing me the details on how well everything was made, and how to put great looks together. I was always blown away at how good he was at that and how beautiful everything looked. So much for that six year old who didn’t know she would take those memorable moments and make something of them—that is why I became a Stylist.
R: You have studied in England. Why did you move to New York and stay there?
D: I did part of my studies in the UK. It was actually my Parents decision to have me moved to the USA, although I wanted so much to stay in Europe. Being an American Citizen, they thought that it would be easier to pursue my studies without worrying about high and unnecessary expenses. So I first moved twelve years ago to Virginia, and then about 3 years later moved to New York City to become part of this challenging yet glamorous industry.
R: Tell us more about the profession of a stylist? What don’t people know about it?
D: The job of a Stylist is a challenging one. It entails so much planning, organizing, communicating, setting and taking overall responsibility for the major part of the shoot or the runway show. What people don’t know is how much we put into a project, they think Styling is all about making someone look good or enhancing their style, however it takes a lot to pull all of that together. You have to do thorough research through history books, movies, old tear sheets and magazines to grasp a concept. You also have to be outspoken and fearless and can get a hold of anyone in the industry, bearing in mind that your request can be rejected….Nevertheless you can still pick up and move on to the next contact. Most of all, everyone in the shoot is solely relying on you, so if you can’t bring all the looks together or get any clothes, then the whole project falls apart pretty much— we are the problem solvers. Sometimes, we can be the Art Directors too, figuring out the whole storyline of an editorial and what look we’re trying to pull off. Overall, it is a very intense profession and requires focus—with styling, you need an eye that can see beyond the norm, so you either have it or you don’t.
R: Are there any common rules in styling that you always follow – like combining colors for example?
D: I personally don’t tend to follow rules, I just do what I feel looks good. However, we Stylists have our basics and the main one is “Never to over style”.
R: You take expensive clothes and jewelry for the photo sessions. Do you use guards to keep them safe? Isn’t there any danger to be stolen?
D: It all depends on the project. For example, when I worked at the Dubai Fashion Week, because it was such a big event with so many models and several people backstage, there were guards watching the jewelry and they were put on the models minutes before they were about to hit the runway. If it is at a shoot, I usually keep the jewels with me in a bag and pull them out when I need them—if the production is bigger, then I sometimes give the responsibility to one of my most trusted assistants—like I said, it always depends on the type of work.
R: And which was the most expensive dress you took for photo shoots?
D: I feel that I have used jewels that were a lot more expensive than gowns. For a recent shoot I have used a Tourmaline set by Helen Yarmak that was worth $150,000.00 As far as a dress is concerned, Walid Atallah gown that was worth $45,000 where he used precious stones as embellishments—this was during a runway show at the Dubai Fashion Week.
R: How much time does it take to collect all the necessary clothes for a photo session? Has it ever happen to you to search for a particular dress but not find it? What do you do then?
D: It usually takes me a week to ten days—once again it depends on the size and type of project. It has happened plenty of times where I haven’t been able to find an item of clothing that I really wanted—and in such instances, I always figure out an alternative plan way ahead of time or at that particular moment. You have to be quick at solving problems.
R: If you have to style a Hollywood movie – what would it be? Sex and the City or something else?
D: Ideally, I prefer movies where I can get creative; something futuristic like Aeonflux or The Fifth Element where I have to create the look from scratch. I also don’t mind periodic movies like Pride & Prejudice or Dangerous Liaisons cause it would entail research and recreating once again. Movies like Sex and the City would be a lot of fun to style, it would be pulling clothes and putting looks together that are off the runway and that is what I usually do already. I always look for challenges and diversity.
R: What kind of emotions can a woman express through her clothes?
D: A woman can express all sorts of emotions by the way she dresses. Clothing emotions define our image, and a woman’s style is influenced by how connected she is to her own beautiful self, and her ability to reflect her inner beauty through her outer beauty in the way she dresses. It is always important to know how to dress your own unique self in whatever mood you’re in.
R: You have traveled the world. Can you point some differences between the style of women in Europe, America, Africa and the Arabian countries?
D: There are so many similarities yet differences always exist. Let me start with women in the Arabian countries, just like all women in the world, they are very beautiful and they tend to dress modestly but very elegant—they believe that you don’t need to reveal too much to be considered sexy, however, some can dress forward too. African women are all about the colors and vibrancy of prints and extravagant silhouettes--they are all about looking good, feeling good and sharing it with the world. In America, for the most part, I feel that it’s all about poise --women here are true believers of finding that element of abundance through fresh and confident styles. With European women on the other hand, they are all about the dash, the dress to kill and the ostentatious look but you can also find the traditional bourgeois. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you come from; it’s all about the style that makes you feel good about yourself.
R: Where in the world do the most stylish women live?
D: Stylish women can live anywhere in the world, however, if you’re asking me where I think Fashion speaks its loudest…Then I would say that it’s London—People there are just so amazing when it comes to expressing their own style.
R: Have you ever styled men? Is it more difficult or easier?
D: Yes I have, and I thoroughly enjoy it. It’s actually just as hard or easy as women. Once again, it all depends on the intensity of the concept.
R: Can a dress totally transform a woman? Can it change her completely?
D: Of course it can. A perfect dress or look can reflect a woman’s mindset and inner beauty. As far as changing her completely, I feel that any woman will remain true to her inner self regardless of what she puts on.
R: Are there any rules in combining the dress with the accessories and which is the accessory that every woman should have in her wardrobe?
D: I think that every woman should have great belts in their wardrobe, it always complements/elevates a look. With rules of combining dresses with accessories, minimizing is the key, so do not over accessorize.
R: What rules should a woman follow if she is overweight?
D: I believe that style is for every woman regardless of her size or weight, so anyone should find their strongest feature and accentuate it.
R: When you work for a photo session the collaboration with the photographer is very important. How do you succeed to make a successful team and find a common view about the project?
D: Through constant communication, contribution, persistence, and trust. Everyone will be aware of what’s going on and nobody comes to the shoot feeling lost. It’s all about good teamwork, maintaining a clear perspective of goals to be accomplished and an optimistic approach towards challenges. That is the way success will be inevitable.
R: Which are your favorite fashion brands and designers?
D: Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Comme Des Garçons, Alexander Mcqueen, Sandra Buckland, I have so many.
R: Tell us more about the fashion trends for the spring of 2009?
D: There are several…Asymmetrical dresses and blouses; White, Lemon Yellows, Chartreuse and Fuscia are definitely the fresh colors; High waists in many silhouettes; Pantsuits and Shortsuits; See-through/Sheer fabrics; Harem pants (which I totally love), and of course the ruffle and bows.
R: Can you describe the most beautiful dress you have ever seen?
D: That would be really hard. I love clothes and I’ve seen, worked and worn so many beautiful dresses. The one that’s in my head right now is something that my mum wore when I was younger— a vintage piece by now, a beautiful black with emerald green Escada cocktail dress that I’m happy to say I am now a proud owner of.
R: Tell us more about your own designs. I have read that you have started in 2005 and that you are inspired by the street fashion.
D: Well, I did start a line back in 2005. It was a line of ravishing tank tops that were inspired by the periodic era of the 18th century combined with the underground street styles. I then went on to create a whole collection about a year later and that was inspired by a mix of combat sports with the street styles once again. I was invited to showcase my collection at the Dubai Fashion Week, however I didn’t feel I was ready yet. As much as I love designing, I think that I will share that part of me with everyone when the time is right. There is so much I want to do—but I need to keep in mind that it’s all about taking small steps.
R: Are you a rebel yourself? What is the craziest thing you have ever done in your life?
D: In many ways I am. I have taken so many risks without thought, just following my heart always. The biggest risk I took was withdrawing from a major of Business Law in University to pursue my studies in fashion; and then leaving the comfortable life in Virginia with close family to move to the daring city of New York. Later on, after finding a good design job at a corporate office with stable salary, I left that as well to focus on my styling. My parents didn’t know what to make out of my sudden and extreme decisions-- As my father always told me “You are always swimming against the tide!!” And honestly, I do not regret any of my choices because they have made me who I am today, and it makes life more exciting I guess.
R: Tell us more about your daily routine? What time do you wake up, what do you usually do during the day?
D: I usually wake up very early, around 7am. The first thing I do is check my blackberry for important emails, then get up and shower, probably go for a run if I’m up for it and the weather is accommodating, come back and eat. I then sit in front of the computer and answer emails, if I have shoots lined up, I’ll be contacting PR reps for designers and make appointments to head into showrooms and make the necessary pulls. I also like to look up editorials online, photographers I may want to shoot with, and different talents I could possibly work with and contact them all. Pretty busy days, but I also never forget that quality of life is also important, so I keep in touch with my family and friends.
R: Is there a celebrity whose style you like?
D: One of my all time icons is Edie Sedgwick—Andy Warhol’s muse from the sixties. She has been my favorite as far as style figures are concerned. I also really like Sienna Miller (British Actress), Marion Cotillard (French Actress) and Agyness Deyn (English Top Model).
R: Do you know anything about Bulgaria? What would you wish for our Bulgarian readers?
D: I was hoping you’d ask me this question. I actually do know of Bulgaria. I have been there when I was seven years old with my parents and my sister and some family and friends. It was a big trip for us and I really enjoyed it. I have been to Sofia and Varna (stayed at the Grand Varna Hotel), Sana Beach…I had a great time and have so many pictures. I would love to go back again now as an adult and as a Stylist, I would love to do some great work out there, and continue a growing relationship with ROUGE Magazine. For the Bulgarian readers, I wish them to have an enriched experience from reading materials either in print or online that will allow them an opportunity to experience the rich cultures other parts of the world has to offer in terms of art, music, fashion, and literature. And I hope that my work will offer that to them.

My Day!!!

2009-08-11T09:34:00.001-04:00

It's my birthday!!!

The shoot--Last Day!

2009-07-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

We woke up super early, 5am and got ready. Our model got there a little after 6am and we set to work. What was missing was some light, so we waited for our sunrise, which was a little after 7am.

The first 3 looks were shot in South Beach right next to our hotel. Bright color bathing suits with some chunky jewelry. The concept was to portray a sexy, alluring, and saturated swimwear shot by the water. The waves were harsh in the morning and I could see how they were pushing away at Julia, Anetta, and Amanda.....yet they were still able to pull it off.

The remaining looks were shot @ Key Biscayne where we were able to achieve more of a glamorous and exciting story by the rocks, the bricks, the dunes, and the challenging palm tree. For this shoot, I pulled from Caffe, Jantzen, Pono, Ports 1961, Oliver Peoples and many more. We achieved what we wanted, a warm, tropic and spicy story......and its something I can't wait to share with you all!

Anyway, we were done by 11am, and we headed back to our hotel but made a quick stop at "La Sandwicherie" where we enjoyed some great sandwiches and smoothies. We headed back to the hotel just in time to pack, while Julia and Anetta enjoyed their last moments by the beach.

After checking out, I met with my Englishman friend for a late lunch at The Raleigh Hotel. It was great, I had a wonderful time. I must admit, I really love this hotel, there is this beautiful British East India feel of energy that exists there. The hotel has a beautiful garden where the restaurant is, a lobby with iconic photographs on the wall and a dreamy like poolside. I was very inspired and it was definitely the right way to spend my last few moments in Miami.....

Key Biscayne and shoot preparations--Day 3

2009-07-18T22:41:00.003-04:00

Besides going to the beach for our morning swim and sun and enjoying a beautiful breakfast of crepes at the favorite "A la folie" restaurant, today was all about location scouting and preparing for tomorrow's shoot.

Since Anetta was working the shows, Julia and I went to check out our options for locations. A friend drove us out to Key Biscayne, which was about a 45 minute drive away from South Beach. The place had a very tropical feel with rocks, dunes, palm trees, lighthouse, and clear waters.

After confirming our bearings, we headed back to the hotel where we went through our looks and had an early night. After all, our matinal call time was 6am and we had to be up by 5am.

South Beach--Day 2

2009-07-17T20:58:00.006-04:00

The morning started with all of us waking up and heading to our go-see appointments with some model agencies. We went to Next Models where we met up with Ron Gerard, an agent who showed us some of the girls. Although it was a bit of a challenge to find the perfect model due to the shows, we managed to find an awesome girl with an edge, Amanda Pizziconi, whom we chose for our shoot.

We then set off for a late brunch and then back to the hotel for a nap before hitting the shows. This evening is the True Religion swimwear show and I was highly looking forward to it. Julia and I got there and had second row seats, right behind Jeffrey Lubell. The show was brilliant, and by far, one of my favorites. Swimwear was made up of seersucker plaids and ginghams, as well as lycra denims. Backless shortsuits and hippie like inspired pieces with divine jewelry for women and simple solid patterns and prints for men. Music from the Jackson 5's to The Doors and Van Halen blasted the runway, it was a real work of entertainment!

The following show was the Red Carter swimwear, although we watched at through the big screen due to the tent hitting its full capacity and could not host several of their guests. Oh well, it was still just as lovely sitting by the poolside of the Raleigh with Julia and snapping away. We also visited Anetta who was working backstage of the shows where the press was pushing away for their coverages and stories.

The night continued with some more after parties and then hanging out on the strip where we came across this guy who had a white rat!!!! I freaked out, but Julia happily played around with it, Sophia was her name. We then went back to our room and called it a night!

Arrival @ South Beach & Day 1

2009-07-16T01:45:00.011-04:00

Arrived at Miami late last night along with Julia and Anetta. We checked into our hotel, and what a convenient location....right in the heart of South Beach on 18th street and Collins Avenue. We were next to the tents where all the fashion week shows were being held. Also, a walking distance to the beach, the Delano, and the Raleigh...what a treat! We grabbed some tapas at this Argentinian spot called Maya, where an unexpected entertainment awaited by a homeless old man! We then headed back to our room and crashed.

I got up early this morning and headed to the beach with the girls. It was quite refreshing and extremely hot, but overall enjoyable. We then met up with one of Anetta's friends for brunch. Of course I suggested one of my favorite places that I hit the last time I was here, a french bistro called "A la folie"....thanks to my girl Rabah who took me there the last time I was here. We all had an awesome meal and headed back the hotel.

Today is also the first day of the runway shows. Anetta is working backstage with the makeup team throughout most of the shows. I got invitations to the Caffe swimwear show and we made our way there. While hanging out by the pool area right before the show started, I saw Dina Manzo from the Real Housewives of New Jersey with a group of her friends, she was the celebrity guest for the show. And coincidentally, I also ran into this Englishman I had met last year and we recognized each other....small world I guess. Julia and I had second row seats at the show. The Caffe swimwear line was colorful, flirty, with sexy silhouettes. It was fresh and eyecatching for sure. Models were tanned all the way. After the shows, we had dinner at Gloria Estefan's famous Cuban restaurant, Larios. The rest of the night turned into after party hopping from the Gansevoort Hotel to other South Beach "It" spots.

More to come!

Miami!!!

2009-07-15T15:25:00.003-04:00

I'll be in Miami from tonight through Sunday for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim. Also, I'll be shooting out there and networking around. It should be fun and interesting. Will keep you all posted with pics and details of the event.
See you soon!

Clutch Magazine article....

2009-07-09T08:55:00.003-04:00

I apologize for not posting for a while, just needed the break, and now I'm back in action. To start off, here is an interview with me that has been featured in Clutch Magazine by Kristina Williams....I am super excited about it....

http://stylistic.clutchmagonline.com/2009/07/stylist-diaries-dina-yassin/

Enjoy!

Michael Jackson.....The memorable legend departs!

2009-06-25T23:46:00.016-04:00

Yes, just like many of you, he was also part of my childhood memories. As one of my friends, Hannah, said to me today "There was your Father, your Mother, and then there was Michael Jackson!". I remember my first black w/ rhinstones MJ L.A. Gear sneakers back in the seventh grade, how I rocked them. I also remember back in highschool when he was supposed to perform in Dubai, my friends and I were so excited we had bought our tickets early, and then the concert was canceled due to all the allegations against him.

Today, a true music legend, a global icon, and an amazing humanitarian leaves our world....I am devastated, but I know he is in a better place. Michael had his faults, but who are we to judge him?? Definitely a moment of true reflection for society as it is a huge loss.

Your music shall always live MJ, you have always inspired me, and I shall always enjoy dancing to you.....moonwalk your way to the heavens! RIP 1958-2009

Natasa Vojnovic for Purple magazine issue#11

2009-05-29T14:38:00.008-04:00

I love Natasa Vojnovic....I think she is one of those eccentric type of models who knows how to bring out her full on self in front of the camera......just a total craze who is completely dramatic, and in a good way too. She's been shot by Steven Meisel, I nez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, and many other top photographers. She has also scored major campaigns for Pucci, YSL, Chanel, Gucci, and Mulberry.

I have come across a youtube video of a shoot for Purple Magazine issue #11( the recent one), where she pulled off another one of her delirious moments.....it was fun to watch. I'm sure Terry Richardson (photographer who shot her) was caught by surprise.....he laughed it off!

Vintage Bike shop Project.

2009-05-25T06:22:00.010-04:00

I styled a shoot this past Sunday (Memorial Day Weekend) at a Vintage Bike Shop in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was awesome beyond words. It was shot both for video and editorial. There was a big team, Isak Tiner shot the story, hair was created my buddy Jamal Hodges, and make-up by another good friend, Jenni Kline. We had some fabulous models: Kate from Red Model Management, a platinum blonde Australian beauty. We had 2 amazing male models as well, a Brazilian young man also from Red Model Management by the name of Vinucius Costa, and another hot beau from Fusion Model Managemen t, Ryan Greeley.

The concept was to create a dark, futuristic glam feel inspired by movies like 2046, Blade Runner, and Mad Max. We had such great props like Vintage motorbikes (Moto Guzzi, Ducati, BMW), smoke machines, fabrication machinery, and tools. I pulled from Giorgio Armani, PORTS 1961, Helen Yarmak, Haleh, John Fluevog, Ganache Couture, and many more.

It was a big production made up of a great team of talented people and their assistants. Isak had 4 diligent assistants,: Jupiter, Al Thompson (another photographer and friend whom I've shot with), Evan, and Paul. Shawna (Isak's wife) was just terrific, she took care of all of us, helping out and feeding the crew! I too had my top assistants, Rana and Allia, 2 of my trusted and wonderful friends. Honestly, I don't think I would have survived 12 hours of shooting without them......talk about organizing 12 major pulls from different showrooms, setting up in a gallery, helping dress the models, and all in a super hot and muggy day!! So I thank them highly for an amazing and fabulous job done! Thank you my dears:))

I think we achieved something major here. It was hard enough to make this all happen without so much thought put into it, however, the crew was excellent, the energy was unbelieveable, we had great laughs and intense moments, and I'm sure that the outcome will be exceptional!
Laters.....

ICP Auction and Party @ Sandbox Studios

2009-05-21T23:09:00.002-04:00

I went to an awesome event this evening.....An art show and silent auction @ the Sandbox Studio NYC. The theme was "Elements", and several artists produced and donated their amazing work. One of the talented photographers who's work was being showcased was Isak Tiner ( whom I'm looking forward to be working with this Sunday in an "out of this world" project, more to come!).

The whole crew was there: Jenni Klin e and her fiance, J amal Hodges, Al Thompson and many more. The space was just unbelievably capacious filled with many creative heads. We laughed and had a ball of fun.....ambiance was just great.

I just love it when it gets warm in the city, everything in it becomes so alive......I'm looking forward to attending more of these type of events:) Enjoy the long weekend!

Future Fashion.

2009-05-21T07:17:00.007-04:00

I came across this through someone on facebook this morning......Is this the future of runway presentation?? Creepy yet brilliant, check it out:

Follow me on TWITTER!!!

2009-05-16T10:49:00.010-04:00

Yes....Yes.....I have joined the TWITTER nation. You can follow me there @:

http://twitter.com/DinaSY

Will be tweeting every now and then......

Editor-Go-See: Custo Barcelona....

2009-05-13T22:30:00.010-04:00

Was invited to the Custo Barcelona Editor-Go-See today to view the entire Fall'09 collection straight from the runway......Textures, colors and virile prints. I walked out of there with a series of great ideas that I can't wait to share with some fellow team mates.......

Editor-Go-Sees has officially become another one of my favorite pastimes....I mean, its quite a solace looking at beautiful clothes:))

Lines Solitaire.....the outcome!

2009-05-12T20:30:00.012-04:00

Just wanted to share with you a preview of the editorial story we shot with Lisa Jackson....And the story is called "Lines Solitaire" which will be featured entirely in my updated website, coming soon;)

Photography: Julia Pogodina Hair and Make-up: Anetta Klemens Styling: Me!

Ethnic African Craze.....

2009-05-12T17:00:00.015-04:00

I've been noticing several editorials that have been inspired by the various African cultures. Whether its from the deserts of North Africa or from the mainlands of Central Africa, it has definitely made a big statement in recent fashion history. I believe with the Obama's currently in the White House, society is now acknowledging other important customs of minority groups in different parts of the world.

In the March 2009 issue of Time magazine, Arlenis Sosa was featured on the cover story "Fashion's New Attitude" which was shot by Chad Pitman and styled by Katie Mossman. There was a lot of influence from West Africa, especially with the rich prints on the clothing, the chunky jewelry, the dark and metallic makeup, and the whole feel of the backdrop and set. I was mesmerized by this editorial, but most of all, how much impact the styling had on me (and several readers I'm sure!!) because I could relate to it.

In the recent May 2009 issue of Vogue Italia's cover story and editorial, Sasha Pivovarova is featured in "Moroccan Holiday" shot by the renowned Steven Meisel. Vibrant, dusty, seductive, and a fairy tale painting-like set was brought about in this fable. I was able to see the similarities of one of the shots with the famous Grande Odalisque painting by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.

I'm wondering if this is the direction that fashion will continue on with for the next few years, as we have seen it back in the 80's with Kenzo and Yves Saint Laurent. I know for a fact that I'm looking forward to see what is to become of this fascinating and strong comeback of this trend, AND in this very interesting time we're facing with the world. I'm also excited to possibly work on something that is influenced by it......More to come on that note!

Mother's Day.

2009-05-10T09:45:00.011-04:00

I wanted to wish all the Mother's out there including my wonderful mum a "Happy Mother's Day". In my culture (the Islamic custom) Mother's Day is celebrated on March 21st. However, since I'm living in the West, with an Eastern heritage, I celebrate it twice a year...what a treat for all Mothers globally!

My Mother, Jamila, has been such a big part of my life, and I have so many beautiful memories of her. She has been the truest friend I ever had and the angel on my side at all times. I love her dearly (and unconditionally!!) and leave you all with a quote that really best describes my thoughts:

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother" Abraham Lincoln.

WEIRD BEAUTY/THIS IS NOT A FASHION PHOTOGRAPH

2009-05-03T10:23:00.000-04:00

I caught the last day of this exhibit today at the ICP.....WEIRD BEAUTY and THIS IS NOT A FASHION PHOTOGRAPH. A great way to end the weekend, by getting inspired!

Anyway, WEIRD BEAUTY portrayed fashion photography from the past few years till now--how its been influenced by art, sexuality, digital media and youth culture. There were many tear sheets, covers as well as original prints on display. Photographers from Steven Meisel, Karl Lagerfeld, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, Steven Klein and other notorious shutterbugs. Amazing stylists who collaborated with them included Camilla Nickerson, Carine Roitfeld, Cathy Edwards, and Karl Templer. Famous muses from Kelly Osborne and Charlotte Gainsbourg to top models like Naomi Campbell and Eliza Cummings. It was fascinating.....simply because I was thinking, hoping, and planning for my next few projects;)

Moving on dowstairs, THIS IS NOT A FASHION PHOTOGRAPH, draws closely the famous works of Edward Steichen, Gordon Parks, Ben Stahn, and others who's intentions were not to create fashion images but rather to create style as a mean of personal expression....I wonder if that evolution would ever make a statement today??? It was great to see the archives of images and older magazines so well kept.

I can't wait to catch the next exhibit, AVEDON FASHION 1944-2000, May 15-September 6 2009. Will have some great feedback on that...I'm quite sure:)

Auburn Beauty.....Camille

2009-05-02T22:06:00.003-04:00

Today, I shot with Camille from New York Models. This gorgeous 15 year old editorial model had the most angelic features with unbelievable long red hair. Almost 6ft tall, she stood out against the set made up of indigo with fluorescent yellow details and black with fuchsia details, which was built by Angela Campos, a set designer represented by Creative Management NYC (worked with her for the first time today, and she was great). Make-up was very natural and pure looking with a few touches below the eye similar in color to the auburn mane, composed by Anetta Klemens. With hair, which was rendered by Caroline Prince, also from Creative Management NYC (and first time working with her too), started off with a very simple and clean hair-down to a finale with wild teases.

With clothing, I went for basic black and white structured pieces to go with the whole illusory and abstracted ambiance. Designer items included Josef Statkus, Complex Geometries, PORTS 1961, Alexandre Herc hcovitch, etc. The story was shot by no other than my dear and ingenious
photographer friend, Julia Pogodina.

Lisa Jackson (ANTM Cycle 9) in Newton Creek Park.

2009-05-01T20:46:00.013-04:00

I shot with Lisa J. today from Major. You may also know her as Lisa Jackson from America's Next Top Model (Cycle 9). Gorgeous and tall Jamaican girl who came to look like anyone from Christie Turlington to Carmen Kass.....Amazing metamorphosis with each look.

The idea was to create a crisp and clean abstraction. The vibe and notion was brought about by the choice of location, Newton Creek Park, a treasure discovered by no other than Julia Pogodina who also shot the story. It was somewhere in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that sheltered beautiful concrete architecture and shapes.......felt like it was a dimension of its own. We had a sleek-back wet hair look and very natural yet enhancing the bones and features type of make-up that was detailed and executed by Anetta Klemens.

Clothes were all flawless and simple, with great structures that adorned the tall beauty. Designers I pulled from were Yeohlee, Iris Loeffler, Krelwear, Dusica Dusica, Preen and many more. We managed to pull off all the looks in 3 hours, just minutes before it started pouring. I can't wait to share the pictures with you all very soon.....

Interview with Elem Magazine....

2009-04-30T23:07:00.002-04:00

I had a really good interview with ELEM Magazine ( short for Eritrean Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine) today. This is a publication that is based in Europe and aims to relate Eritrea (and Eritrean)'s lifestyle, culture, arts, history, fashion, music, film and literature. I was interviewed by Mahta Tewolde, a lovely and agile young lady who writes for them.

The interview was more personal....in the sense that the questions revolved around my entire life as a whole. Mahta approached me about a month ago asking me if I would be interested in being featured in the magazine as someone who would be a positive role model and an inspiration to their young readers. Of course I jumped up to the opportunity....I mean being Eritrean and seeing what my people are doing out there with ELEM--"To promote a bright future within our communities by highlighting the success of Eritreans in various fields. We believe that by featuring positive Eritrean role models, we can encourage young people to aim high and realize their potential"--Mahta Tewolde, ELEM.

She called me this morning, and we spoke for about an hour, covering everything and anything, from my childhood upbringing to how I got to NYC....it felt like I've known her for a while. Overall, it turned out to be quite a pleasant conversation.

I am looking forward to seeing the outcome in issue 14 ( should be around October/November time)....More to come!

Gabrielle Vallarino-Circa Design

2009-04-29T22:49:00.004-04:00

Another Editor Go-See with a visionary jewelry designer-Gabrielle Vallarino's Circa Design. I LOVED it, every single piece had character. She had her event at her husband's art gallery in the Upper Eastside. Vibrant colors with bewitching silvers, golds, and precious stones. Presentation was beyond superb with modern jazz playing in the background and pictureque paintings to accentuate the debut. I told Gabrielle that I would hopefully be using most of her designs for my next big shoot--which will be very soon;)

Editor-Go-Sees: Shanghai Tang & Helen Yarmak....

2009-04-23T21:26:00.011-04:00

I looooove attending Editor-Go-Sees!! I went to 2 of them today and got to see lots of beautiful things.

First up was Shanghai Tangs's Fall 2009 collection. Now this line is based out of Hong Kong and their whole concept is about creating luxurious, modern Chinese chic with themes deeply rooted in ancient and authentic culture, from calligraphy to "The Silk Road" to Chinese contemporary art. Yes indeed....it was exactly what I saw in their collection, but with lots of bright colors: Greens and Pinks, from Reds to Purples and Corals, as well as amazingly detailed handbags and accessories. Their little minutiae of calligraphic motifs embossed on their coats and the Bauhaus inspired prints on their dresses gave the line it's own original touch. At the viewing, they had some really tasty french macaroons in the same colors of the collection......YUMMY!

Next up was Helen Yarmak's new collection of jewels and furs. First of all, the showroom is unbelievable.....located at the 23rd floor of the crown building on 5th avenue, with a terrace overlooking the spectacular view of central park. Anyway, I have never seen so many gorgeous jewels at one time.....precious stones of ruby, amber, sapphire, topaz, and not to forget our lovely best friend, diamond, in LARGE settings...OMG...Breathtaking!! Now I am not a big fur person myself, however, I was impressed by the handsome silhouettes that Helen came up with.....Wondrous!

I got to meet Helen Yarmak in person, a pleasant Russian woman that is all about glamour and extravagance.....she was quite delightful and thanks to Julia who accompanied me and translated the Russian jokes that were being shared!

There is a saying in Eritrea (where I am originally from): "It is always good to allow the eyes to see flashy and beauteous things....feeding off their splendor so that they will only desire and bring the best after that." So much for my attempted translation......

Ginger-Jean-Brooks.....

2009-04-22T22:53:00.015-04:00

Today I shot an epic beauty story, inspired by the 1930's classic movie starlets: Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, and Louise Brooks. It was quite enjoyable and we had a fab team. The story was shot by a skilled photographer friend, Al Thompson. I've shot with him before, and I tell you, I always have a good laugh on set. He's quite the joker yet a mellow type of guy. The hairstylist, Christophe Kontos (one of Jamal's assistants), gave us some great styles, it was my first time working with him and I was happy. Aldys did the make-up, and I was very amused by the whole "erasing the eyebrows" technique.....the makeup was lustrous I say....High Five!!

Our alluring model was Olga Blik from Major Model Management. She definitely had the look to pull it off.....She was not expecting the works, nevertheless, she gave us her best.

I thoroughly enjoyed styling this story.....I had furs, head pieces, and vintage jewelry to play around with....How much fun could that be?? Check out the on set movie strip!

Livebooks and PixInk....what a combination!!

2009-04-20T22:18:00.020-04:00

I finally put myself into gear and decided to get livebooks.....Yes, I needed to so I can keep track with updating my site on a regular without the hassle of getting someone else to do it. It's going to take about 3 weeks before its up and running....I am super excited about this!

On a slightly different note, I wanted to take a little time to talk about a special friend (and one of my closest best friends!), Mrs. Ayesha Mathews-Wadhwa, Chief Pixel Bender and Creator of PixInk. This is a boutique design company that specializes in Branding and Visual Identity, Marketing Communication & Digital Media. Thanks to this amazing establishment and Ayesha's remarkable talent, DMDstyle's branding and identity was born. Pix Ink created my logo, my business card, my website design, my letterheads and so much more. I have received nothing but outstanding compliments in my industry for the electric colors and radical designs that totally portray me.

My dear and beautiful friend Ayesha and I go way back, she has always taken the time to understand what I've tried and continue to put out there. She has pushed and inspired many of us friends out there. She is now leading the San Francisco chapter of Savor the Success for Women Entrepreneurs. I am proud to say that she is doing remarkably well.

So all you people out there who are starting their businesses and looking for an identity, please do contact PixInk and you won't be disappointed....I can guarantee that:)

Imagine what the combination of Livebooks and PixInk will do to DMDstyle (my styling business)?? Let's wait and see....meanwhile, enjoy some previews of my most recent works that will be featured on my new and upcoming site......more to come....soon!

Photography: Julia Pogodina
Styling: Me!
Hair: Sato Taeko
Make-Up: Anetta Klemens
Model: Olga A. (Ford Models /NYC, and Womens /Paris )

Photography: Julia Pogodina
Styling: Me!
Hair: Jamal Hodges
Make-Up: Anetta Klemens
Model: Marija (Major Model Management )

Photography: Al Thompson
Styling: Me!
Hair: Jamal Hodges
Make-Up: Marion Mazo
Model 1: Thomas Gibbons (Fusion Model Management )
Model 2: Adrien Fedida (Red Model Managemen t )

Spy vs. Spy

2009-04-16T22:11:00.021-04:00

Shot with two amazing male models today for Fantastics Magazine:

-Dimitri Vankerkoven from New York models; he shot for Dolce and Gabbana and CK campaigns. This Belgian beau has a great structured face and really buff build....A classic! Glad to have had the opportunity to style him.

-Josh Dagnall from DNA; he has also shot for Dolce and Gabbana, the cover for Style Men, and more importantly, he was shot by Mario Testino. This native of Perth, Australia has strong editorial features, especially mysterious eyes, and can pull off so many eccentric looks.......I loved his personality, he was very down to earth. A model to definitely keep an eye out for, he will go very far!

The story was shot by Matthew Lyn, a self-taught photographer from Toronto, Canada with commendable skills and buoyant energy. Hair was done by the outstanding Jamal Hodges and make-up by the adroit Emi Aoki, and of course, my fabulous assistant, Jillian Wu kept it all together. Incredible team and overall, a good shoot, can't wait to see the story and share it with you all!

Concept: Futuristic, industrial, bold, extravagant shapes/poses, Fantastic Magazine. Some of the designers I pulled samples from: John Fluevog, Unconditional, Telfar, MVM, and Robert Geller.

Interview Pt.1

2009-04-09T10:41:00.009-04:00

I spent most part of the evening yesterday preparing answers for my interview with ROUGE Magazine-Bulgaria. I was interviewed by the Editor-in-Chief, Natalia Georgieva. She was great and had definitely asked questions that not only covered my work as a Stylist, but the depth of my intellect. I stayed up all night trying to perfect them. My friend and current roommate, Allia, got to hear some of them and had given me some constructive criticisms on my answers.....Lessons I had learned from the night were to give good responses without offending anyone, carefully stating my likes and dislikes, and not to disparage anyone's hard work. Thank you Allia for making me see the inevitable....and thanks to all my friends who have helped me with their feedback (Rabah, Ayesha, Hannah, Mum, Dad (may he rest in peace) and my sister Dalal). Did the interview go well? Why don't we wait and find out once it's published....

Beauty in jewels

2009-04-05T09:34:00.007-04:00

I shot a beauty story with Olga A. from Ford Models/Women's Paris today. Ultimate beauty, grace and extreme allure: She brought out her inner delicacy as she modeled away with the jewelry pieces from Magasin Totale, Dinosaur Designs, Metalnat, and Gabrielle Vallarino's Circa Designs. Concept: dreamy, pure, soft and elegant......and she just continued on while being shot away.....

Shigoto Fashion Shoot....Backstage

2009-04-04T22:44:00.011-04:00

Turned out to be quite fun and with a cool and laid back group....Got to meet the owner/entrepreneurial bricklayer of Shigoto Fashion Ltd......Jasper Momma, really cool guy. The shoot was produced by Polina Raygorodskaya, founder of Polina Fashion, an ex-model and a highly driven PR rep....... Totally loved the pants ( great quality and could be worn in several different ways), especially the "Tabi" boots; OMG.....I need to get a hold of a pair ( thinking of rocking them with a pair of leggings or skinny jeans!!!!) Shigoto Fashion is definitely an underground trend that's going to be hitting the streets very soon. Enjoy the backstage snaps:)

Shigoto Fashion Ltd.....

2009-04-03T22:59:00.004-04:00

Shooting a look book tomorrow for Shigoto Fashion Ltd. This is a Japanese clothing line inspired by the true samurai and ninja dress codes worn by the Japanese construction workers (Tobi). This is made up of baggy pants, split toe boots (check out SJP rockin' the Martin Margiela version which were definitely inspired by the original Tabi boots!) and tight shirts. Concept: to make this is street wear/ hipster like as can be. Two male models and 2 female models.....Should be very interesting.....

Good Morning.....A wonderful surprise: A COVER and an interview to follow!!!

2009-04-02T20:56:00.009-04:00

I woke up this morning @ 8am....quite late for my usual time (which is usually around 6:30am.....bizarre??I know!!) Anyway, I had a nice email from Julia with the layout and the cover of "Rouge" Magazine's April issue......The COVER STORY that we shot in L.A. with Kelly Carlson....This is my third one with this awesome magazine and it looks fabulous......And Kelly looks friggin' dazzling.....what can I say....sigh! The life of a stylist and the reaction once we get our covers.....PRICELESS!!! Thanks Julia, you made my morning:)
In case I haven't told you about "Rouge" Magazine: It is a Bulgarian based fashion publication that is very reputable and is pretty much equivalent to "Vogue" out here....yes, you read right....VOGUE.....it is just beyond incredible and the quality of tear sheets are phenomenal! I am so proud of this accomplishment and hope to get more:)
On another good note, I got contacted by "Rouge" Magazine and they're looking to do an interview with me for a possible article in an upcoming issue.....more to come on that news! Carpe Diem is where I'll leave it at.....

A Summer Story...with lots and lots of vibrant colors...

2009-04-02T11:29:00.013-04:00

On Tuesday, I styled a shoot for a summer story. We shot Marija from Major. She was amazing and had great energy......She knew what she doing and just asked for music to keep her going. I'm super excited about the pictures:))
It was all about summer and the vibrant colors. Designer's samples that I used were from Manish Arora, Helen Yarmak, Douglas Reker, Haleh Nematzadeh, Serpico, Irregular Choice, Dinosaur Designs, and many more. We had a great team with the amazing hair guru and good friend Jamal Hodges, make-up was the fun and creative Anetta Klemens. Once again shot by Julia Pogodina and styled by yours truly. I can't wait to show you this editorial story.....but in the meantime you can enjoy some backstage shots;)

Katerena Alkhimova

2009-03-31T08:33:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I styled a shoot with Russian Supermodel....Katerena Alkhimova. Throughout her modeling career, Katerena has done print and runway for such names as Comme Des Garçons, Christian Dior, John Galliano, Yohji Yamamoto, and much more. She has now started her own line of basic wear called "Kat's Basics". The whole concept of the shoot (which is hopefully going to be my fourth cover story....fingers crossed) was to combine Kat's pieces with other great designer stuff, and thus recreating her look every time. It was very challenging, but I was totally up for it.....and of course, she gave us her extreme best. This was was shot by one of my favorite photographers and friend, Julia Pogodina. Hair was done by the talented Taeko Sato and make-up by the wonderful Aldys Minaya. I also had an amazing assistant, Jillian Wu, who had totally made my life easier throughout the past week. She was on top of everything and took care of all the necessary stuff.....Thank you Jillian and the team!! Katerena, you totally rocked it!!

Fashion Cares....SEVEN.

2009-03-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

Last week I went to this amazing play called "SEVEN", which was held @ NYU Skirball Center For The Performing Arts. What can I say.......I was touched by the marvelous performance. It was about seven incredibly strong women in the world who have faced serious oppression and have emerged as leaders. My outlook: every woman is strong in one way or the other, regardless of her past, present or future....so don't let any man take that confidence away from you! Also, I'm definitely proud to be a woman.
They had so much support, including Diane Von Furstenberg- aghhh, that woman-she is the epitome of all elegance and beauty. I've always looked up to her. Through fashion, she has become what she is today, always giving back to humanitarian causes. I never forget the one time she interviewed me for a possible job @ her company several years ago-by the end of the interview she told me that I was beautiful-Thank you Diane....I will always cherish that wherever I go in life.
-"I never knew what I wanted to become in life......but I always knew what type of woman I wanted to be........Through Fashion, I was able to become that Woman"-Diane Von Furstenberg.

Back from LA and almost a week later....

2009-03-15T13:39:00.003-04:00

I got back from L.A. last Monday, and I've been battling between making returns to designer showrooms and catching up with my sleep.....sounds absurd huh? I was pretty much burnt out and needed sometime to just breathe and revive myself.....did I manage to accomplish it??Somewhat.....with some unnecessary interfering thoughts here and there.
Anyway, back to L.A..........What an awesome place, I really liked it. Great weather, pretty laid back people and beautiful areas. I have been to L.A. before, but to Orange County and Laguna Nigel. This time I was in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood (and downtown L.A. which was ok, a little on the sketchy side!!!). It had a lot going on and seems to be quite hip. The hotel we stayed in, STAY, was vibrant......YES......very vibrant ( color wise, decor, style, people, etc.) Julia and I shared a room, and it was a steal, $35 per person per night!!! The only downside was sharing the bathrooms/toilets with the rest of the floor, there were about 4 of them on every floor I believe.
We got to the hotel at 3am ( thanks to the long line at Budget car rental, there were about 12 people in line and only one rep serving everyone....it took forever!!!) and only slept for 4 hours. We got up early enough (like 7am) to head to Beverly Hills and scout the location of the shoot, The Thompson Hotel. Let me tell you, this hotel was dark, and with a certain touch of retro elegance......I loved it, and was super excited to be shooting there. The sales manager showed us around, Jenna Abrams, and she was really cool. We then went to Smashbox studios, where we met with Barrett Sweger, he was going to assist Julia at the shoot. He also gave a great tour of the studio:)
We got back to our hotel, went through looks, confirmed our locations and we were set to go the next day. Our call time was at 7am, so we hit the sack early and got up by 5am and hit the road. Now, I know I didn't mention who the celebrity we were going to shoot......Ladies and Gentlemen.....Kelly Carlson, from hit TV show Nip/Tuck. I felt confident with everything I had picked, however, we did face some challenges....as in Kelly didn't want to wear some of the suggested looks, the sun was not co-operating while we were shooting in the rooftop, however, we still managed to make it work and everyone was happy in the end!!! One of the funniest incidents was when I put my foot in my mouth accidentally......which in a way broke the ice between Kelly and I......I was looking through a magazine and had made a remark about Eva Longoria's hairdo at the Golden Globes, as in it made her look older......little did I know that Kelly's Publicist was also Mrs. Longoria Parker's.......OOPS!!!! Sorry Eva, I am a stylist and it was just an opinion, no harm done, I still think you're beautiful:)
By the time the shoot was wrapped, Julia and I just lied down in the suite's kings size bed.....beyond exhausted and discussing the whole day, then we made it back to our hotel room. I showered and crashed......and Julia wanted to go out, but she ended up fast asleep herself.
The next day, we packed up, took some pictures, met up with some of Julia's friends for brunch at this really fun spot called Gjelina in Venice Beach area......AMAZING Food, great vibe, waiter was hot, and I spotted Jason Statham there with his buddies. After brunch, we took a walk by the beach, saw some interesting and crazy people. Ella, one of the brunch friends we met, showed us around and we all had a good time. Another nice fellow was Chris (Ella and Davis's friend), who offered to return some gowns and dresses I had borrowed from a showroom in Melrose place......Thanks again!
We caught the Red eye to NYC, got there at about 6:15am, completely broken....tired....and needed some rest. Would I do this again???Absolutely.....Did I learn a lot?? Definitely.....Was it worth all the demands and hassles? Well, would it be just as fun if it weren't? You tell me;)

Off to Beverly Hills....

2009-03-05T07:36:00.003-05:00

I've been quite busy the past 2 weeks.....or actually since my last entry. I got a big gig to style a cover story for "Rouge" magazine with a celebrity actress (whom I won't disclose at the moment.....Hint: she's from the TV show "Nip & Tuck") shot by one of my favorite photgraphers, Julia Pogodina (thanks to her loyalty and hard work, I got the gig!!!).
I've been making calls to different showrooms, sending off emails and trying to get access to pulling out some great pieces for the shoot. Since we are working on a very limited budget, I have to take everything with me as excess luggage....super crazy and big responsibility......thank goodness for insurance;) Some of the designers I'm working with are: Prada, Ports 1961, Kati Stern for Venexiana, Custo Barcelona, Naeem Khan, Luca Luca, and so many others. I'm very excited to be styling this shoot, its a big deal, and I'm very proud to say, this is my third cover story for this magazine......The last two were with celebrity actress/model Holly Weston, and a new big model, Helena from MC2 ( she is now with Next models).
I feel very happy that I managed to get through the designers' gatekeepers (PR reps) , and have been able to develop good relationships with them and many others along the way. It's all about maintaining them from now on and making sure that everything I have pulled is returned to them in perfect condition.....along with a nice touch....THANK YOU!!
My next entry will probably be when I get back, I'll fill you in with who the actress is, and how the whole experience was....A bientot!!

About NYC Fashion Week Fall/Winter'09 Shows----My view maybe a week late;)

2009-02-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

Last week was NYC Fashion Week, Fall/Winter '09 shows. This is the first season where I managed to attend many shows and have so much fun. My list starts with: Nary Manivong/Kate Cusack, Laura Dawson, Venexiana, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Ports 1961, Custo Barcelona, and Rad Hourani.
Overall, my favorite one was Alexandre Herchcovitch { pronounced HER-CH-CO-VI-TCH} took me a while to get that right!! Anyway, I loved his collection, it was bold and edgy, with the right amount of feminine touches to it. He was able to bring that about through his choices of colors---from deep berry tones to vibrant corals, black, metallics and grays. There was a bit of the roaring 20's feel to the styling, with the head pieces and accessories (gloves, clutches, etc.). Presentation was superb.....I even got to go backstage (where there was quite a drama, read Fashiona's blog!!!) and meet him, spoke to him for a minute.....he was extremely nice too!
All the other shows were great: Rad Hourani, was quite fresh, the contrast of the dark colors and tetris-like structural shapes he used against the white of the presentation space made the whole collection appreciable. Just like I made the effort to meet Alexandre after the show, I managed to meet with Rad.....A young, soft spoken and worldly designer of Jordanian heritage. I was also able exchange a few sentences in Arabic with him.....Watch out design world, he is the next Mcqueen......
Nary Manivong had the whole feminine asymmetrical silhouettes in black, navy and pop colors, like red and yellow. Instead of a runway show, he had his models pose on a platform--very picturesqu. His stylist, Amber Votel (who's worked with several Conde Naste Editors) used Kate Cusack's line of zipper jewelery to accessorize the look. Just about 2 weeks before the show, I worked on Kate's editorial campaign to promote her jewelry designs, which was pretty challenging and awesome (although we were on set for 15 hours, and by the end, we were all knackered!!). Mistakenly enough, I went and introduced myself to Nary's twin brother and he was laughing and told me that his brother was by the models...oh well, that could be spared huh;)
Laura Dawson had a whole futuristic elegance going on, zippers, black, and gray......the models came out of some sort of hexagonal shaped dome or thing....I dunno! The collection was pretty good too. As usual, Custo takes the award for presentation....colors everywhere, lots of fun....although silhouettes were beautifully fitted, it was the exotic prints with different shapes that brought out the models' forms......One thing, they did a great casting, their models rocked and they could all walk!!!
Finally, Ports 1961 was very zen-like. They had an Indian cultural band perform as the models walked out with their Far East inspired silhouettes (mostly Indian). Metallics and earth tones, with a throw of bright fuscia and black here and there, against a cream colored runway-----Definitely inspired by the many travels of Tia Cibani (The designer).
And so, an end to one season and looking forward to the next......

FINALLY!!!!

2009-02-23T10:01:00.000-05:00

So some of my friends have been bugging me to start a blog for the past few/several months. They all had a point: here I am, a Stylist, living in New York City, going through the roller coaster of trying to get my work recognized....How do I start my day? How do I get my gigs? How do I deal with pressure? What inspires me? Who are the most influential people in my life? Too many questions that needed answers to be shared with many curious people out there.
What took me so long?? I was going through the motions of finding the perfect name, something that would really give me that push to share my thoughts....Spoke to many friends, got opinions, tried brainstorming....it just wasn't happening. To tell you the truth, I was about to consider giving up on the whole idea, until last week (which was NYC Fashion Week-Fall/Winter 09), I went to the Alexandre Herchcovitch show (which was totally brilliant, and I will definitely do a posting on plus other shows too) with a remarkable blogger friend of mine, Fashiona. Anyway, on our way back home, we took the same subway train where I was talking to her about my dilemma-just can't find a name!!! So we started throwing out ideas at one another.....I told her the name of my website, and she added "FILES" to replace "STYLE".....I just jumped to the idea, "The DMD Files".....How perfect and SO ME, I just kept telling myself over and over with all the excitement. Thank you Fashiona:)
And now, I just can't wait to see/hear/read the reactions of all my friends once I forward it to all of them. Here is the start of a very important day.....MY BLOG:)