There will be lace, sculpted organza, floaty feathers, beading, and draped tulle.
Not surprisingly, I had dancers on the brain when putting together my latest collection. After seeing The American Ballet Theatre present “ The Sleeping Beauty,” I was so captivated and charmed by the elaborate tutus and jeweled bodices of the graceful ballerinas, I was inspired to design a wearable version of these enchanting costumes.
It’s arrivederci for my traditional glamour girl. And so long, as well, to the party-girl muse of recent seasons. My new girl? “She’s graceful, elegant, sexy, and young, and she can dance like its nobody business.
Check out this amazing image from the ballet
This season, I want girls to feel a welcome sense of whimsy, with a feeling of girlish romance when wearing a KEEMIA dress. I tend to go with instinct when it comes to designing, and I want these these dresses just make you want to be a fairy princess.
Though it is a tight collection of 20 styles, it covers many bases: short and spirited in a frothy ice-blue organza number, darkly soigné in an black lace gown, and no-holds-barred belle of the ball in a frothy pale pink chiffon gown with a hint of lace peaking behind a thigh high slit.
Here is a picture of the bodice of one of the styles from my new collection (full Holiday collection will be released mid July)
Inspired by the ease of movement afforded by dance attire—I also experimented with chiffon. A romantic chiffon gown with a jacquard velvet bodice is as glamorous as any of my more signature organza cocktail dresses.
Key Inspiration: Image of a corset from the legendary Worth Paris
And for the ballerina in every girl? Tulle skirts, crystallized bodices and origamilike pleating make up the gamut of the rest of the collection.
“The Sleeping Beauty” is the grandest of all of the 19th-century classical ballets, the most complex in detail, the most fairy-tale-like of the fairy tales (I believe, at least). Its vision of social order is also that of the world in which ballet originated. And the costumes, are the idealized prototype for the legendary fairy tale princess. The beloved story of the beautiful Princess Aurora, the evil sorceress Carabosse, and the awakening kiss of a handsome prince is certain to cast a spell on your heart and imagination.
I didn’t even give you a heads up but i’m in New York City this week!!
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!
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.
On the runways for fall 2010, many trends were spotted. Among them being: motorcycle gloves, the color green and everything equestrian. One trend, however, that we saw on dozens of catwalks was the camel coat….. So it seems designers are all telling us one thing: We need to wrap up against the chill in a timeless, luxurious, honey-colored coat.
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.
It’s 2:08 am and I am now choosing music for the show on Saturday. I could leave this detail up to the D.J. just as I can also leave the lighting up to the electrician that night—but just as a true Arian, I welcome a challenge and I expect perfection…. from everyone… most especially myself.
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
Optimism is infectious at Mercedez Benz Fashion Week.
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:
Very fruitful and productive. Events, luncheons, dinners, meetings, clients… one after the other. It’s been an amazing ride.
