Here’s what’s been going on since we “talked” last:

Moving into Fall 2011

My trip has been amazing  Very fruitful and productive. Events, luncheons, dinners, meetings, clients… one after the other. It’s been an amazing ride.

The weather has been a bit volatile… Saturday was sunny and 70, Sunday 45 and rainy… But what fashionista doesn’t love to wear her floral sundress and sandals one day and cashmere dress and coat the next?! In all honesty, I’m loving it!

One very special event I attended was: PAAIA  (The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans)  “Passing the Torch of Success”. PAAIA is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, national grassroots membership organization dedicated to bringing our community together to project an accurate and positive image of Iranian Americans that truly reflects our values and achievements, and to building a highly respected and influential voice for our community in the U.S. political process. PAAIA has built significant momentum for its signature event “Passing the Torch of Success”.
Rudi Bakhtiar and Maz Jobrani co-hosted this both educational and inspirational event. Rudi Bakhtiar was gracious enough to  let me dress her for the special evening.  To view the promo video, click here

The event was a success. So inspiring. I love Rudi so it was truly an honor for me to be dressing her. A surprise treat for me was that  Behnaz Sarafpour, a designer I have looked up to and admired for years, was also in attendance that evening!

Rudi Bakhtiar in KEEMIA with Dr. Firouz Naderi

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The week following the event was filled with meetings, desksides, luncheons… etc. The highlight was at the end of my deskside with Vogue editor Rickie DeSole, when I was packing up the dresses and getting everything back into order, who else but Anna Wintour walked in!! I was mortified. I qucikly stood back for her to pass and she took one look at me, one look at the rack of dresses and (THIS IS THE SHOCKINGLY AMAZING PART) smiled!

Anna Wintour smiled at me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I noticed her eyes fell on style Camden that was hanging in the rack…

CAMDEN

I have to admit it was pretty amazing! It’s been a while since I’ve been star struck…

Moving on…. One of my favorite past times in the city is strolling though central park. I like to start out near the plaza and walk in… with no direction in mind, no plans, no agenda.

And I did just that.

Turned off the blackberry, put in my headphones and took in the beauty. The weather was fantastic. The park was packed with tourist, locals and musicians, Being from Los Angeles, a city where the weather for the most part is constant, it was a treat for me to see the seasons changing. With every gust of wind, the yellow, dry leaves blew off the trees and danced in a synchronized movement until slowly swaying to the floor.

Ill leave you with this gorgeous picture of the park.

This may just be the New Yorker talking here… but I’m feeling really appreciative for my life and all those in it.

See you soon L.A.

Check out these fashionable ladies walking the streets in their camel coats.

Now the question remains: will you trade in your black coat with a camel coat?

This depends on who you are. I am not saying black is out. I am simply saying camel is in!

The thing about camel is that it gives the impression of effortless chic. I agree that it demands a certain amount of upkeep and maintenance, not least on the dry-cleaning bills. If this is an issue, the alternative is to wear a slightly less demanding coat – a washable beige cotton trench or pea coat from Gap, for example – and buy some caramel leather shoes or a camel pencil skirt or a fawn-coloured cashmere sweater.

If you’re looking for a practical piece that will last several winters and not break the bank, check out this  Michael Kors coat. This updated alternative to basic black will still match everything in your closet while adding some oomph to your cold-weather wardrobe. The belt will also show off the waist line. Another major fall 2010 trend. Michael Kors says that “camel looks indulgent like winter white but has the pragmatism of gray and black. It’s the best of both worlds. … A camel coat evokes throwaway glamour.”
Available at select retailers, $375.00.

Now…. How to wear your new coat:

The truth is you can wear your new coat over anything.

Choosing to wear your camel coat with denim will communicate  an effort without looking as if they’re trying too hard.

Try it over a cocktail dress or a pant suit will make you look polished and refined.

Color is not of much importance here because camel is neutral and will compliment almost every color. It is the new black.

Look how fabulous model, Anna Selezneva looks in one:

New closet staple? I think yes!

Once you get our lovely camel coat, take good care of it, for a heart-warming relationship with a camel coat should last a lifetime, not a season.

xoxo

Every show necessitates a new mood… For example, last season, the collection was all about  stiff construction… THE FASHION PENDULUM IS NOW SHIFTING…

THE HARD, AGGRESSIVE EIGHTIES INSPIRED LOOKS THAT HAVE DOMINATED SEASONS PAST ARE SLOWLY BEING OVERTHROWN BY A NOUVEAU FRENCH SEVENTIES ROMANCE.This change of thought requires a change of music, food… atmosphere etc. without all this, the designers, message is not translated. This, does not, however, denote, a house has to break the bank for every show. Always remember, fashion is a business and minimal investment brings about maximum return.

Once the show is over, the real work begins. I have to say goodbye to this collection and hello to the new. Because Spring is only a few months away and the next collection has to be even better.

Thank you for reading and always remember: “Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” – Leon J Svens

This upcoming season I wanted to portray an intellectual beauty.  Specifically, my inspiration was a collection of stills of Audrey Hepburn in the classic film, Funny Face, and the idea of the “intellectual girl.”  The story is about a strong woman, and the notion that sexiness is strength.  This is a kind of a new glamour, one that transcends borders and is always in vogue. The message here is that the beauty of tomorrow is intelligence.

Here’s a sneak peak at KEEMIA Fall 2010

Now what shoes to wear with all those dresses?

Browns’ buying director Erin Mullaney picks her favorite shoes for autumn/winter 2010

Feeling chilly:  See Matches’ buying director Bridget Cosgrave’s Top 10 Coats

My favorite surprise of the Fall 2010 season was Curvy, Adult, Diverse Models Walking the catwalk at Louis Vuitton

The clothes were mostly conservative, and conceived with a real, grown-up woman in mind. None of the skirts so much as showed knee, and the most revealing looks only showed a tasteful amount of cleavage.

Read more: Curvy, Adult, Diverse Models Walk Louis Vuitton — The Cut http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/03/curvy_adult_diverse_models_wal.html#ixzz0j7b0pmkZ

Another show I loved was Julien Macdonald.

The outerwear was so scrumptuous!

take a look at the adorable jacket! HOT

To view the entire collection, please click here.

Inspiration behind this collection: The designer imagined a woman hot and bothered after a day on her horse, slipping into something sinful when she got home. So the collection breezily straddled two poles: sophisticated outerwear and suggestive, lingerie-influenced evening attire. well done!

To wrap it up:

The KEEMIA Fall 2010 collection will hit the runway April 3, 2010 at the Iranian student group at UCLA Fourth Annual Fashion Show fundraiser for the Persian American Cancer Society). Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or the UCLA Central Ticket Office.  Doors open at 6:00 PM.

Based in Los Angeles and New York, the KEEMIA collection is presently available in specialty boutiques in the United States, Dubai, UAE, and online boutiques including www.revolveclothing.com and www.couturecandy.com.

KEEMIA was featured in the March issue of ELLE magazine (see image attached).  Also, be sure to check out May’s issue of GLAMOUR magazine, which will feature a story on the cast of GLEE in KEEMIA.

As ever, thank you for your continued support!

Keemia

Follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/keemia

Just between you and me: I woke up today at 7:38 am with my  head on top of a sketchpad and a charcoal in my hand. I don’t usually pass out like this, but I was recovering from a busy month ( especially this past week due to the oscars). Some serious zzzzz time was very much needed!

Here’s what’s been going on since we “talked” last:

It’s fashion week in Paris

I love this time of year. Unfortunately, this season I could not make it out to Paris but I am surely living vicariously through style.com. In Paris, this season designer are giving the girls what they want: va-va-va-voom glamour!

This means seriously sexy clothing that can cross seasons. Scandalously short hemlines have also been prevalent this week in Paris… and if it wasn’t short, it most likely was a gown with slit all the way up to the hip.

Sequins, organza, strong shoulders, floral, and leopard—everything you’d hope and expect from a great fashion show have been replete this week in Paris.

My favorite show thus far has been Christian Dior- GORGEOUS

Dior’s ready-to-wear was equestrian-themed, a follow-on from the daywear strand of the acclaimed Couture show in January.

The Fall 2010 collection was replete with wool pencil skirts, baker boy caps, tough leather jackets over soft ruffled georgette dresses what commanded the most attention, however,  was the knitwear. Knitted sweaters after-all have gotten so popular since Rodarte first came out with their 2009 collection of most mohair pieces. Dior’s answer to the knit phenomenon were admirable… A cream oversize cardigan-coat, threaded through with blue satin ribbon, and two lacy raschel-knit dresses were the best pieces.

The whole impression? Country girl in soft ruffles and lace being swept away into the sunset with her leather clad boot wearing man.

Not to shabby…

Did I mention how much I love these Chloe boots…. from the times stella was designing… Le Sigh..

As for me … I’ve been busy with Oscars fittings. However, I am keeping my mouth shut because celebs (got to love them) are a little fickle sometimes and they don’t end up doing what they had promised.

Fingers crossed and hair braided… the red carpet will be dusted with starlets in KEEMIA designs.

Fall 2010 photoshoot is next week… so I’ll keep you guys updated.

Almost done with the Fall 2010 collection… one style left to finish. I’ll give you guys only a sneak peak at what’s to come. The final dress will be strapless, sheered and short. This gorgeous scalloped Solstiss lace will be the final touch…

Until then, enjoy the shows! !

xoxo

I am so happy to see the comeback of pretty, feminine happy dresses! One can look to the Fall 2010 collection hitting the runway at MBFW for proof….

Designers are all sending the same message, “Don’t worry, be happy!”

While we had a strong shift toward a masculine-made-feminine look in 2009, many designers are now  taking it back by showing you their  true “feminine” sides. Lots of pastels, lace and floral prints have hit the runway with mass appeal.

The essence of masculine versus feminine; The power of the feminine factor at DVF….

Alice + Olivia’s Fall 2010 was replete with sparkly dresses, pastel feather skirts and pink fur shrugs

What is more enlivening than the sight of a woman in a lovely dress??

Valentino always said, “I know what women want. They want to be beautiful.” I could not agree more! What has been getting me excited these past few months is anything and everything feminine, soft, airy and light. Don’t get this confused with girlie. This season I am concentrating on structured satin organza dresses with appliques of soft touches such as feather, irridecent rhinestones, and jacquard velvets.   The inspiration for the line kind of came at me from multiple ideas. One of them to begin with is the color pink… which I think is the most feminine of colors.

This season soft is not just about ruffles and rosettes, designers are choosing fabrics like jersey and cashmere and silk and layering and draping these fabrics with an emphasis on soothing over curves and adding a sense of simplicity.

Transform girlie to gracefully cool.

So as you see, I’m not saying go head to toe girlie….  instead couple a ruffled a-line blouse with maybe a pair of leather trousers or a feathery skirt and a denim jacket.

So enough with the despondency and chat over this horrible recession already… There are so many things to be excited about this season! Keemia will be showing Fall 2010 March 12.

***Stay turned ***

A look back at Past  Keemia Show:

Please fast forward to about 3:30 on the video to see my interview at PACI 2008:

If you’re anything like Team Keemia you’re ready to ditch the thermals and legwarmers and wear your spring summer pieces immediately. Yet there’s still a distinct cool chill in the air. Well worry not, because we have the solution; the perfect transitional trend that we like to call Luxe weather-wear: layering up basic pieces with lots of loose fitting jersey and luxe fabrics, creating a new on-trend mix like that of 
Burberry paired with Blumarine.

It’s a nod to next season whilst still keeping warm and cozy in your favorite winter basics.

Here are some tips:

1. Add a little floral to your mid winter wardrobe. There is nothing like a floral print to ward off winter blahs. Have a field day with the rugged/refined look of filmy florals layered with earthy knits, denim, and bad-boy biker chains. Floral trends

2. Layer knits: The weather maybe dreary but this doesn’t mean your wardrobe must be dismal as well. Here are some tips to fashionably layer clothing in the winter: Layer everything

3. Get yourselves a pair of hot boots: Over-the-knee boots are the must-have item for Spring 2010. Round-toed boots are the favored footwear among women in their twenties this winter. This marks a big change, given that pointy-toed shoes have more or less ruled since the mid-1990s. Ralph Lauren round-toed boot

4. Hooray for Hoisery: Tights and stockings are regaining popularity as fashion items. Favorites hoisery among young fashion aficionados are delicate lace tights in black and gray. These accessories can often be worn with tight or tiered miniskirts for a feminine finish. Baby blue lace hoisery at Christian LaCroix

5. Girly Dressing: Fashion aficiandos are going ga-ga over pink babydoll dresses, white lace dresses, and other cute, feminine wardrobe pieces. This girly and cutesy style has become a favorite look for dates and parties alike. How to dress fabulously feminine.

One style that never goes out of season is that of the cocktail dress. Find the retailer nearest you  that carries Keemia cocktail dresses.

There you go. Good luck. Stay warm and stay fabulous!

This season, the label expands into including jacquard velvets, a longtime passion of mine, into my mix of fabrics for the collection. I’ve always loved silk jacquard velvet– the softness of this silk fabric is always comforting. Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton or linen back, or with other soft fibers such as nylon, acetate, or rayon, close nap of erect threads, but I particularly feel that these imitations do not come close to comparing to the true silk kacquard velvet.

Dresses adorned in jacquard velvet will hit stores in August 2010.

It’s an invitation to a grand ball and I call it appropriately: La Fête.

Like the rest of the world, I have been overwhelmed by the winds of Avatar obsession, but nonetheless, I try to stay true to course…designing young, confident, and just pure dreamy cocktail dresses.

This season, the design backstory goes, Caroline, my lovely socialite muse, is invited to multiple parties in the same night and to successfully attend all, she creates fashion avatars of herself … changing dresses for each exceptional celebration.

With Caroline’s different avatars in mind,I design a dress for each lavish party. Dresses are composed of layered satin organza, flowing chiffon, twisted jersey and French lace embroidery. The collection’s delight, however, is in the more light-fingered treatments: delicate fronds of ostrich plume feathers on cascading organza dresses, multiple circular cuts of georgette stitched at the shoulders to reveal a perfect décolleté, and silver lace embroidery on a sequined floor-sweeping gown.
Faisons la fête!
Keemia Pre-Fall 2010