Exclusive Luncheon at the Armani Hotel for Raina Hein from ANTM Cycle 14

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 30/05/2010

Yesterday we held an exclusive VIP/Press luncheon in aid of Raina Hein, from America’s Next Top Model, who is in town to shoot in our new store – Symphony’s – Autumn/Winter 2010 Campaign. When deciding on venues, we obviously couldn’t think of anywhere more perfect and brilliant than the beautiful Italian restaurant; Ristorante at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

Our fabulous guests included regional bloggers ButterHotShoes, Outre Chic and FiveFiveFabulous along with TV Presenter and Virgin radios favourite; Simone Heng, as well as Dubai socialites Padman Coram and Lina Samman. We feasted on a TDF 3 course menu (the gold leafed scallops were our fave) and gazed at the beautiful Ms Raina Hein, who looked celestial in a SS10 Ports 1961 kimono-inspired gown from the Symphony Showroom.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge.

Raina, who endured a 24 hour schedule to get here from her home town: Minnesota USA, has been one busy lady since she landed on Dubai soil sand, conducting interviews and photo shoots with all our favourite magazines, TV and radio shows and newspapers. Look out for this week’s Grazia, where you can read an exclusive interview with Raina as well as a beautiful shoot featuring Symphony’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection (she was jet lagged to the max but still looked incredible…how does she do it?), read an interview with her in the Gulf News this week, see her have lunch with VIVA, hear her on Virgin Radio, watch her on Rotana TV and High Life Dubai and don’t forget to get your July edition of Harpers Bazaar Arabia, because we let our favourite magazine go behind the scenes of our shoot (starting today).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you Symphony Stylers – you guys are the best and we couldn’t do it without you! ..Can’t wait to share the campaign pictures with you after the summer (don’t forget to buy the July edition of Harpers for a sneek peak!)…

“Inner beauty is what’s important” Raina Hein

Love to all

Symphony Insider

xxx

The temporary Symphony Showroom is located in our offices in Souk Al Bahar.

For more info or directions please email

info@symphonystyle.ae

View Comments / Make a Comment

STOP PRESS! Raina Hein from America’s Next Top Model to star in the Symphony Autumn / Winter 2010 Campaign

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 20/05/2010

SYMPHONY STYLE LLC BOOK AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL RUNNER-UP RAINA HEIN FOR THEIR INAUGURAL AUTUMN/WINTER 2010 SYMPHONY CAMPAIGN

Young, avant-garde fashion company Symphony Style LLC (that’s us ;)) have pulled out all the stops for their inaugural Autumn / Winter campaign for new luxury multi-brand boutique, Symphony (which is set to open in the Dubai Mall in July/August 2010) and booked model of-the-moment Raina Hein from America’s Next Top Model to feature exclusively in the campaign.

Whilst planning their exciting new campaign project, Raina was Symphony’s obvious choice to represent them for their first big creative assignment thanks to her impressive modeling skills and the impeccable beauty and grace she showed on the legendary U.S show ‘America’s Next Top Model; “It is a great opportunity for both Symphony and Raina to be working side by side as we are both up-and-coming names venturing into the competitive world of international high fashion! Being people who have passion for what we do, I really believe we should be supporting one another towards the goal of success.” said Symphony Style LLC CEO Salama Alabbar.

This new deal cinches Symphony’s place as the most talked about store opening in Dubai’s fashion history. Already creating a frenzy in the international and regional media, Symphony is set to stock a diverse and original collection of luxury fashion brands including Christian Siriano, Luisa Beccaria, Jason Wu, Vera Wang, Willow, Ports 1961, Thakoon, Halston and many more! The beautiful store will be spread over 3,000sq ft and located in the Dubai Mall’s prestigious fashion avenue; it will feature a large outdoor area where visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain and the Address hotel. The store will announce its soft opening in the coming months, with a big store launch event (featuring many designers and VVIPs) planned for early October 2010.

Symphony Style has been making waves in the fashion industry over the last few months, with their blog (www.symphonystyle.ae) being championed as a “genuine fashion blog with soul” and attracting a huge international and regional following. They plan to bring many creative and original firsts to the region and are excited to reveal the results of their collaboration with Raina at the official store launch in October 2010. Raina, who recently came second place on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is equally excited tweeting: “Just booked my first international campaign in DUBAI! :) And I am going to be featured in Harpers Bazaar Arabia! :) :) Things r lookin good!”

Raina will be in Dubai shooting the Symphony Autumn / Winter 2010 campaign at the end of May. The details of the campaign and theme are being kept secret until early October, however, Symphony Style are delighted to be collaborating on this exciting project with photographer Susanne Spiel and local creative agency Capital D studio.

Symphony Style LLC own and operate Temperley London stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as uber-cool accessories concept store Marami and the soon-to-be-opened luxury multibrand store, Symphony.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

To say we are excited is the understatement of the century! We hope you are too!

Stay tuned on twitter for a competition where you could win the opportunity to have lunch with the lovely Raina at the Armani Hotel, details to be announced v. soon xx

www.twitter.com/symphonystyle

“Raina’s eyebrows are CRAZY! I love them!!!” @tyrabanks (via twitter.com)

Love to all

Symphony Style Insider

xxx

View Comments / Make a Comment

Our fave picks from the Symphony Showroom this week

Posted in The Symphony Style File on:

As our new store, Symphony, is being finalised in The Dubai Mall (to open in July/August 2010), we decided to set up a temporary Symphony Showroom in our offices in Souk Al Bahar …after all, we couldn’t keep you waiting, that would be mean!! ;)

The Showroom is a beautiful space, located just 5 minutes away from The Dubai Mall and holds the latest collections from the likes of Christian Siriano, Luisa Beccaria, Willow, Jason Wu, Vera Wang, Amanda Wakeley, Thakoon, Camilla Skovgaard and many more!

Here’s our favourite, must-have, TDF pieces this week (click on a thumb to enlarge)

The Symphony Showroom is open Sun-Thurs 9am-6pm

Symphony Style LLC, Office E519
Level 5 G Core
Souk Al Bahar (next to the Palace Hotel)
For more information / directions / to book an appointment outside of hours please email info@symphonystyle.ae

“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” – Bo Derek

Love to all

Symphony Insider

xxx

View Comments / Make a Comment

Cannes 63rd Film Festival: Day One

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 13/05/2010

It was all full length gowns and glamour on the first day of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, with many starlets donning full length, dramatic gowns with long exaggerated trains for the Robin Hood opening. We obviously and a bit of glamour here at Symphony Style HQ and for once we were hard pushed to pick a favourite look.. I think it’s a close tie between Cate Blanchett (love her, love McQueen) and Kate Beckingsale in Marchesa (fairytale much??). What about you Symphony Stylers?

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen…
The gown, ankle-length, off-the-shoulder, emblazoned on the front and back by a silver eagle in flight, is by the late British designer Alexander McQueen. It was part of McQueen’s pre-fall 2010 collection, and one of his last ever designs.

We can’t wait for the next 11 days!

x

View Comments / Make a Comment

We caught up with one of our absolute favourite designers, Thakoon Panichgul, for a quick chat…

Posted in The Symphony Style File on:

Thakoon Panichgul achieved worldwide fame when First Lady Michelle Obama chose a raspberry, lavender and black print Thakoon dress, which was beamed around the world from the Denver stadium where she joined her husband, Barack Obama on stage at the end of his big speech. Washington Post’s Robin Givan in his September 7, 2008 article “First Ladies and the Fabric of the Nation,” estimated the price of Michelle’s Thakoon outfit to be around $1,500.

Growing up, Panichgul was interested in photography, and always had an eye for styling. After graduating from Boston University in 1997 with a business degree, he moved to New York. As a fashion writer, Panichgul discovered that his ideas were often conceived through a designer’s point of view, and he eventually pursued formal studies at Parsons School of Design from 2001 to 2003. In September 2004, Panichgul produced his first ready to wear collection and quickly became a favorite with the fashion press, top editors and stylists, and celebrities like Rachel Bilson, Demi Moore, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2007 he produced a fashion line for The Gap after being promoted by Anna Wintour of Vogue Magazine, as chronicled in the 2009 American documentary film, The September Issue.

He has become known for timelessly feminine designs which are as romantic and sensual as they are modern and innovative. Panichgul is fascinated by decorative ideas that spin out of constructing clothes. Where classic patterns have existed for decades, the nuances for finishing the garments are

reexamined. The subtle strokes, he believes, make all the difference. And we have to agree; not a day goes past when we don’t pass the Symphony Showroom and stroke all of the gorgeous Thakoon pieces hanging in there! *sigh*

We caught up with Thakoon to find out: what would he do if he only had 24 hours to live? What is the key piece we should buy for AW10? Who are his favourite designers?

Pour yourself a cup of tea Symphony Stylers… this is going to be an interesting read! :)

Symphony Style (SS): We saw you on the September issue, how did it feel meeting Anna Wintour?
Thakoon Panichgul (TP): I was really excited and overwhelmed at the same time. I couldn’t believe that I was actually in her office showing her my work, just her and me.

SS: Wow! We would be so scared! So, how long have you harboured dreams to be a fashion designer?
TP: Since I was young, around 9 or 10 years old probably.

SS: Lol, Ironically we wanted to be Anna Wintour when we were 9 or 10! What advice would you give to our readers who want to follow in your footsteps?
TP: Just be very focused and know what you want. It’s the only way you’ll succeed.

SS:What has been your biggest fashion moment to date?
TP: Michelle Obama is definitely huge.

SS:Yes, that really was a ‘moment’ but what was the moment when you realised you had made it?
TP: When I went in for a private meeting with Anna Wintour!!!!

Thakoon compares Anna Wintour to the ‘madonna of fashion’ in the R.J Cutler doc, The September Issue

SS: Yes, she is the gate-keeper, Queen Bee and general ruler of fashion! It was so amazing when she was recommending you for the Gap & Mango collaborations in the film. So tell us, is there anyone that you would love to dress that you haven’t already?
TP: Lauren Hutton would be cool.

SS: Ah, we LOVE her. We hope to look exactly like her when we are 64! Stunning. Who is your favourite designer right now?
TP: I like this menswear line Mr. Hollywood from Japan

SS: We’ll have to investigate that one! And what will you be personally buying for AW10?
TP: Some Mr. Hollywood sweaters and shirts

SS: Tell us what can we expect for your AW10 collection?
TP: A lot of neutrals, soft tones, sumptuous pieces that are at once special and for everyday.

SS: Can’t wait! That’s what we love about your designs; we can wear them to an event and feel glamourous and then wear them to the office the next week and feel comfy and not too overdressed; they’re so versatile. Any key pieces from Thakoon AW10 that Symphony Stylers should be making a bee-line for?
TP: The scarf tank pom pom dress. It is such a great piece; sophisticated and fun at the same time.

The ‘Pom-Pom’ dress from the Thakoon Autumn / Winter 2010 Collection

SS: Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
TP: I love coastal California. It’s pretty dramatic the scenery, but very low key.

SS: Sounds like the perfect mixture! Have you ever visited the Middle Eastern region or Dubai?
TP: No never, but I would love to!

SS: Please do… We’ll have you over for tea! Okay, here are some quick fire questions – you have to answer quickly, no cheating!

Your favourite past time is: Playing chess

Your earliest childhood memory is: Getting bit on a finger by a snapping turtle when I was 3!

Your hero is: Conviction

Your muse is: Joy

Your fashion icon is: Anyone who breaks rules

You have 24hrs left on this earth, what do you do?: Have a long dinner with my family

SS: Okay and finanlly, can you tell us, what is the best advice that you have ever received and who was it from?
TP: Well, I think it was from a fortune teller who predicted I would have a successful career as a designer.

SS: Ha ha! He was right on the money eh!! Can we have their number please? ;) Thanks for your time Thakoon! Come see us in Dubai soon….xx

Thakoon’s Spring Summer 2010 collection is available at the Symphony Showroom now!

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

The Symphony Showroom in Souk Al Bahar is a temporary space which allows all our favourite Symphony Stylers a chance to get a piece of the Symphony pie before the luxury multibrand store opens in the Dubai Mall this July. Located just 5 minutes from the Dubai Mall, the showroom features the latest Spring Summer 2010 collections from the likes of Thakoon, Bodyamr, Luisa Beccaria, Willow, Amanda Wakeley, Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Ports 1961 and many, many more!

For more information call +971(0)44 255 666 or email holly@symphonystyle.ae

‘For me it’s about creating silhouettes that sort of have built-in gesture’ – Thakoon

Love to all

Symphony Insider

x

View Comments / Make a Comment

Temperley London, Abu Dhabi exclusive opening event May 9 2010

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 11/05/2010

On Sunday evening we hosted an exclusive store opening event for our Temperley London Abu Dhabi store launch at the Marina Mall…

Attended by a very cool crowd (as you can see from the pictures), our esteemed guests enjoyed cute mini cupcakes courtesy of Sweet Stuff (we <3) as well as traditional Arabic coffee, dates and delicious desserts whilst they tried (and failed) to keep their credit cards firmly in their *insertlatestbagOTM* and resist the beautiful new Temperley London Spring / Summer 2010 collection.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

Aside from all the shopping, gossiping and gorging (okay that was just me), Symphony Style were busy polishing their charity halo’s when we put on a special raffle in aid of UNICEF’s Help Haiti cause. Guests kindly donated to the charity and crossed their fingers that they were one of the three to take away a amazing Temperley London prize…. A HUGE congratulations to the winners and an even HUGER (is that a word?) thanks to all of those who donated!!

We raised a cool 3,600dhs and we will be bumping that figure up with donations from our own pockets too.

Such a worthwhile cause and such a great achievement…GO SYMPHONY STYLERS!

All and all the evening was a night to remember with many guests leaving excited for their next shopping trip to the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi…

TEMPERLEY LONDON
MARINA MALL, ABU DHABI
Call +971 (0)2 681 0962 for more info

xxx

View Comments / Make a Comment

BREAKING NEWS: Al-Fayed sells Harrods to the Qatar royal family

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 09/05/2010

The iconic London store, Harrods, has been sold by Mohammed Al-Fayed to Qatar’s royal family for 1.5 billion GBP.

With Al-Fayed, aged 77, reportedly to go into retirement once the sale is complete, he said “I’ve been working for the past 50 years of my life, 25 of them in Harrods, and I wanted to be able to spend more time with my family, especially my four grandchildren.” The reason for the sale is not yet clear, and Harrods, which is spread over 4.5 acres and is estimated to have over one million square feet of selling space in over 330 departments, employs over 5,000 people in the UK. The economic downturn until last year hardly dented the fortunes of Harrods, with the Knightsbridge store in south-west London reporting a record 752 million GBP in sales in 2008-09. The net assets of Harrods are worth pound 500 million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2010.

So… the question on everyone’s lips is: will Harrods come to the Middle East?

Answers on a postcard please.
xx

The Harrods Timeline

1834 Charles Henry Harrod opens for business
The legend begins in the East End of London with the opening of a wholesale grocer with a special interest in tea.

1849 The Knightsbridge store opens its doors
A red letter day for British retail as Harrods moves into a single room in Knightsbridge, hoping to capitalise on trade generated by the Great Exhibition of 1851 in nearby Hyde Park.

1883 Phoenix from the flames with the by now thriving store having burned down in early December, Harrod’s son Charles Digby demonstrated true Harrods mettle by fulfilling all the Christmas deliveries – making record profits in the process.

1894 The very first ‘Winter Clearance’
The 1890s were boom time for Harrods, now a public company, heralding the introduction of various new departments and initiatives, including Harrods Bank and the world’s first escalator.

1901 Work begins on the Terracotta Palace
New Managing Director Richard Burbidge’s vision of the world’s most luxurious department store started to take shape. However, even with 91 departments, the store occupied just the ground and first floors of the building. The four storeys above were home to lavishly appointed mansion flats.

1940s Harrods does its bit for the war effort temporarily abstaining from the glamour and extravagance that made it famous, Harrods devoted itself to producing uniforms, parachutes and parts for Lancaster bombers, as well as giving up sections of the building to the Royal Navy.

1959 The store is acquired by the House of Fraser Group
Having suffered a change in fortunes during the frugal post-war years, the sale of Harrods marked the beginning of a period of modernisation, including the opening of ‘Way In’ in 1967, a swinging young boutique.

1980s A new lease of life despite regular upgrades and expansion, the store gradually came to feel more and more outmoded. That is until the Fayed family’s acquisition made Harrods a family-owned firm once again, instantly heralding a £300 million refurbishment plan to restore it to its former glory.

2010 Harrods has remained London’s premier retail outlet for over 155 years…

View Comments / Make a Comment

A special invitation for our favourite Symphony Stylers! x

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 05/05/2010

RSVP to holly@symphony.uk.com

or leave a comment on this post with your name for the guest list.

x

View Comments / Make a Comment

SPOTTED! Rekha Tourani in Christian Siriano

Posted in The Symphony Style File on: 04/05/2010

We spotted Dubai socialite Rekha Tourani looking tres magnifique in this Christian Siriano number (which she snapped up from the Symphony Showroom) at this years Grazia Style Awards.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

xxx

View Comments / Make a Comment

The Six Word Run-Down: The Met Costume Institute Gala Ball 2010

Posted in The Symphony Style File on:

It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the red carpet fashion event of the year – Oscars? Nah, too commercial! SAGs? Too try hard! The Met Ball is where designers, actresses, models and the like all flock in their finest fashion ensembles to stun and amaze us (and sometimes for all the wrong reasons, just saying….) x

Here’s the 6 word run-down from this years glamourous event, with this years exhibition themed on the “American Woman” (after last years “Model as Muse”) and co-hosted by Anna Wintour and Oprah Winfrey.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

So? What do you think Symphony Stylers? Who are your favourites???? Tell us, we are dying to hear your thoughts!

“You either know fashion or you don’t” – Anna Wintour

One Love

Symphony Insider

xxx

View Comments / Make a Comment