New Arrival at Symphony!

Erin Fetherston’s Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection just arrived at Symphony, The Dubai Mall

Erin Fetherston’s Autumn/Winter 2010 collection takes inspiration from the iconic Chelsea girl, Nico. Fetherston references the singer’s bohemian style in a collection that balances soft romantic dresses with rock’n'roll tailoring, perfect for the poetess at heart. Silhouettes range from long flowing chiffon dresses to swinging thigh skimming shifts. The collection’s look for day pays homage to Nico’s relaxed tomboy style while never forgetting her feminine allure. Evening directly channels her rock and roll persona into an overtly glamorous statement on night-time dressing. Fetherston works with a dreamy palette of lilac, nude, and sage, grounded by a landscape of bold black and white accented with shades of vivid orange. Materials like lace, chiffon, leather and velvet are intertwined to create clothing with a lighter than air feeling for a woman with a bit of edge.

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Available at Symphony NOW!
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050

xxx

Meet the Designers!

Hello Symphony Stylers! You are cordially invited to our special “Meet the Designers” Event :)
When?
October 7th 2010, 1-3pm
Where?
Symphony, The Dubai Mall
What?

Meet the Symphony designers including Whitney Port, Rupert Sanderson, Camilla Skovgaard, Erin Fetherston, Christian Siriano and the face of Symphony for AW10; Raina Hein.

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Camilla Skovgaard Shoe Guru

Project Runways Youngest Winner, Christian-siriano

American Designer Erin Fetherston

The Hills and City Star And Designer Whitney Port

British Shoe Designer Rupert Sanderson

The Face Of Symphony AW10 Americas Next Top Model Raina Hein

Take pictures with your favourite designer (aka a Facebook profile picture that will make your friends green with envy), enjoy complimentary cupcakes from our favourite bakery Sweet Stuff, pick up a limited edition Symphony AW10 postcard and get it signed by the designers…

All and all, I think you’ll agree this is an event not to be missed!

See you there!

Symphony Insider

xxx

Studs and Slips: Burberry Prorsum SS11

We must admit, when the lovely courier man hand-delivered our Burberry invitation (an engraved metal credit card) we felt like we had been admitted into some sort of exclusive club. Of all the LFW shows, Burberry is IT. The biggest, the brightest and the most hotly-anticipated. We waltzed past security flashing our clubcard pass (not to be confused with the ones that Tesco hand out!) and wondered up to a beautiful setting amidst Chelsea’s College of Art & Design. As we looked on rather amusingly at the silly paps who were screaming “Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!” it suddenly dawned on us, oh look – there is Sarah Jessica Parker (really stunning in the flesh and TINY), this served as the beginning of what can only be described as a celebrity infestation. Serena Williams (or was it Vanessa?), Andy Murray, Anna Wintour, Donna Air, Alexa Chung, Laura Marling, Carine Roitfeld and Cat Deely all showed up wearing their finest Burbs to pose in front of the pap pit. Unfortunately the show was so crowded (we estimate at least 1000 peeps) that the experience was a little tainted for us; it was super super hot, stuffy and pushy. However, as soon as the lights went down and (easily the best) catwalk playlist began all was forgiven. We fell hard for the studded biker jackets and we (think) we shared a moment with Kate Lanphear when we both gazed lovingly at them and then caught each others eye (LOVE you Kate!). The heels were also immensely desirable; great big killer things that got the better of a few models (one poor girl carried hers down the runway and the finale girl fell right off hers stacking it Campbell style). Bailey took his inspiration from the brand founder, Thomas Burberry’s designs for England’s first motorbike riders in the early 1900′s. We loved the leather leggings and the iconic Burberry trench was shrunken down and given motorcross sleeves.

Click for a larger sneaky peak!

A glitter/confetti laden finale

Love to all

xxx

Bodycon: Bodyamr SS11

As we queued outside London’s “Fashion Scout” to see the Bodyamr show on a particularly cold Saturday afternoon, our fashion buzz was really starting to dwindle as our lips changed colour from fall’s sheer nude to a purpley/blue – fashion faux pas anyone? Our spirits were slightly lifted when we saw a glowing (and pregnant) Lily Allen prance past us (we are suckers for a celebrity sighting). However, as soon as we moved into the venue (the heating might have helped!) our spirits were instantly lifted and we began to get excited for Amr’s latest offering. A little birdy had told us to opt for the later show over the earlier one; what could the surprise be we wondered? Will Florence & The Machine perform? As we were ushered into the room, the lights soon went down and so it began. An ethereal Daisy Lowe opened the show with a beautiful full-length white gown which is so typical of Amr’s creations. The looks that followed were all as beautiful as the last, many featuring the expected “bling” for which the designer has become famous for alongside fabrics of sheer meshes, silks and curve-clinging jersey. We absolutely loved the move into graphic prints and some pieces felt very McQueen inspired – which can only be a good thing. We believe, although to be honest -we can not be sure- the surprise was the appearance of Kayne West’s ex-girlfriend Amber Rose on the catwalk. Amber walked in on an amazingly powerful tune (must get that song name!) and strutted her stuff with clout – it literally made our hairs stand on end. Of course the clothes were beautiful, but what did we really, really loved about the Bodyamr show? The energy. Designer Amr could be seen in the wings singing and dancing with the girls before they went on stage, grinning from ear to ear. It was such a fun show and when we left, returning to London’s cold streets once more we couldn’t help but wish the party would have gone on for longer!

Daisy Lowe - A Vision In White

Amber Rose

We loved the upside down french plaits elvis hair with a twist.

 

Amr with his girls; Amber Rose and muse Sherrin
Bodyamr Autumn/Winter 2010 is available in-store at Symphony NOW!
The SS11 collection will be in-store from early 2011.
Symphony
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050
xxx

Birds of Paradise: Erin Fetherston SS11

Erin Fetherston named her Spring Summer 2011 collection ‘Birds of Paradise’ (*thanks Erin, saved us thinking of a witty title for this post) and was inspired by a woman who travels “far and wide” and collects all of these exotic pieces from her travels. Fetherston opted for a brighter palette than usual this season; parrot oranges and greens were intermixed with safari neutrals… the look is typical Fetherston; chic and polished but with a colourful, playful twist.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

Erin Fetherston AW10 is available at Symphony now!
SS11 will be in-store from ealy 2011. For more info:
Symphony
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050
E: info@symphonystyle.ae
xxx

Le Big Mac: Chris Benz SS11

Erin Fetherston named her Spring Summer 2011 collection ‘Birds of Paradise’ (*thanks Erin, saved us thinking of a witty title for this post) and was inspired by a woman who travels “far and wide” and collects all of these exotic pieces from her travels. Fetherston opted for a brighter palette than usual this season; parrot oranges and greens were intermixed with safari neutrals… the look is typical Fetherston; chic and polished but with a colourful, playful twist.

Click a thumbnail to enlarge.

Chris Benz Spring/Summer 2011 will be available from early 2011. For more information:
Symphony
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050
E: info@symphonystyle.ae
One love
xxx

DIY: Alexander Wang SS11

For his new Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Alexander Wang deliberately excluded black and tried to steer away from the pieces that he has become famous for – namely the leather biker jacket and that whole “model off duty” nonchalant look. Instead, Wang offered an array of all-white ensembles, mid length hems and the theme of “construction”; white paint in the models hair, flashes of rose gold to resemble duct tape and uses of industrial materials such as tyvek. Our favourite pieces were the criss/cross back white jumpsuit and the painter/decorator inspired platforms boots.

Check this amazing video coverage straign from the show in NYC courtesy of Nylon Magazine

Love to all

xxx

The Biggest Fashion Event Dubai has EVER seen? We think so!

Symphony officially launches at The Dubai Mall with a star studded event on October 7th 2010

Symphony enjoyed a well-publicised soft opening on August 29th 2010 when it opened its doors to the public for the first time. Due to the Holy Month of Ramadan and the international fashion weeks Symphony delayed its official launch party until October 7th 2010. The event, whose details have been a well kept secret for over two months, will mark the opening of The Dubai Mall and Harpers Bazaar Arabia’s Fortnight of Fashion. To celebrate the opening of the new store, which is The Dubai Mall’s first and only luxury concept boutique, the Symphony team have invited a few of their esteemed friends to join them. Guests will include designers Whitney Port, Rupert Sanderson, Camilla Skovgaard, Christian Siriano, Erin Fetherston and model Raina Hein amongst others.

Camilla Skovgaard Shoe Guru

Project Runways Youngest Winner, Christian-siriano

American Designer Erin Fetherston

The Hills and City Star And Designer Whitney Port

British Shoe Designer Rupert Sanderson

The Face Of Symphony AW10 Americas Next Top Model Raina Hein

Reality TV star and designer, Whitney Port will be accompanied by a camera crew who are documenting her trip for possible inclusion in the popular TV show The City as well as a new reality series planned for release in early 2011. Whitney and Symphony are excited to announce a charity collaboration aside from her trip to Dubai, Whitney will also travel to Liberia to help those in need with the organisation FACE Africa. Symphony are sponsoring Whitney’s trip to Liberia to support the worthwhile cause and will also be holding a charity auction at the exclusive event in which guests will be invited to bid on luxury items (many of which have been donated by Symphony designers) with all proceeds going to the FACE Africa charity. The store is also committed to supporting the Charity for the entirety of the AW10 season with many more fundraisers in the pipeline for the remainder of the year.

“We are thrilled that Whitney has decided to support FACE Africa and the important work we are doing in Liberia to help rebuild communities after 15 years of civil war and destruction. Whitney’s visit will help to raise awareness about the challenges facing the country and the need to create economic opportunities for women and girls. We very much look forward to working with Whitney. She is a natural role model to many young girls and women worldwide and her visit will ultimately inspire others around the world to take action. We are also very excited about the collaboration with Symphony Style. Symphony’s commitment to charities is commendable and we are extremely honoured to be a part of their launch event” commented FACE Africa Founder and Director, Saran Kaba Jones. Under Symphony’s sponsorship Whitney will be visiting Liberia and touring FACE Africa’s clean water project sites. More importantly, she will be visiting a women’s factory in Liberia called the Liberian Women’s Sewing Project; which is a women’s economic empowerment program that provides employment and economic opportunities for women. The pilot factory currently produces t-shirts and other cotton knit apparel using fair-trade and eco-friendly practices.

This marks the first of many charity collaborations for Symphony, who hold philanthropy very close to their heart, with plans to focus on a worthwhile cause or charity each season and raise money for those in need. Symphony Founder & Director, Salama Alabbar commented: “We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with Whitney Port on the FACE Africa charity and sponsoring her trip to Liberia for such a worthwhile cause. Supporting charities is intrinsic to the Symphony concept. We want to give back and make a difference and I am very proud for Symphony to be associated with this”.

Guests at the invitation-only glamorous event will enjoy a charity auction in aid of FACE Africa, the unveiling of the Symphony AW10 art installation by local Emirati’s ‘The Tinkah Studio’ and the screening of the AW10 short behind-the-scenes film for the first time. Symphony decided on the theme “Abra…Cadabra” for their inaugural campaign which was shot by Susanne Spiel and featured America’s Next Top Model, Raina Hein. The magical theme will also be continued into the in-store visual merchandising which will be viewed for the first time at the private event on October 7th.

Our beloved Symphony Stylers (that’s YOU!) will be invited to a “Meet the Symphony Designers” event which will be scheduled for the 7th of October. More details to come!

FACE Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to rebuilding communities and improving lives that were impacted during years of civil unrest in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The organization raise awareness and funds through special events and innovative marketing campaigns, and forges strategic partnerships with local communities, partner organizations and government agencies to provide access to clean water and sanitation facilities, education and training, health and nutritional programs, and empowering girls and women.

FACE Africa’s current focus is clean water and sanitation in Liberia. In 2009, FACE Africa completed its first clean water project in Barnesville, Liberia. The project involved the installation of a water purification system capable of producing up to 20,000 litres of drinking water per day and currently supplies over 600 residents with clean drinking water a day.

The organization recently formed a partnership with Concern Liberia, an organization that has been implementing water and sanitation projects in Liberia since 2000, both in emergencies and in community recovery. Concern Liberia has carried out water and sanitation projects that benefited more 121,000 people in 14 urban communities. The FACE Africa/Concern partnership will help with the construction of hand pumps, boreholes, and sanitation facilities in both urban and rural communities in Liberia.

Symphony
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050
Love to all
xxxx

Symphony Announces Artistic Collaboration with Local Design Studio, The Tinkah Studio

“Symphony No 7: The Arrival of Her Garments” by The Tinkah Studio

Launching in-store at Symphony, October 7th 2010

For Symphony’s Autumn/Winter 2010 campaign the team at Symphony Style HQ wanted a creative idea that would bridge the old and new Dubai; the east and the west; a symphony between opposites – the past and present. Salama Alabbar, Founder & Director of Symphony Style LLC felt inspired by the Dubai Creek, “My Great-Grandfathers used to live and work in the area; the creek is immersed in our culture and history – it was the economic hub before oil was discovered”. After many creative brainstorming sessions, the Symphony Style team decided on “Abra…Cadabra!” – A play on words taken from the magical saying “abracadabra” – for their first shoot for Symphony, with the location set as the Dubai Creek. The whole concept for the shoot was to create a feeling of magic, infinite possibility and timelessness within the images.
To compliment the AW10 campaign shoot which was shot by photographer Susanne Spiel and starred America’s Next Top Model, Raina Hein, Symphony approached a local art design studio, The Tinkah Studio, to conceptualise an in-store art installation for “Abra…Cadabra!”. The local Emirati ladies who come together to form The Tinkah Studio (Reem Alghaith, Kholoud Sharafi and Abeer Tahlak), translated the theme into travel – owing to the fact that the Abra has long been used as a method for transport in the region, as well as for import and exportation.
The Tinkah Studio have created an art installation entitled “Symphony No 7: The Arrival of Her Garments”; an exploration of how fashion is created, delivered and consumed and a translation of the musical, magical, travel theme of ‘Abra…Cadabra!’ for Autumn/Winter 2010. The elements that the studio are incorporating into the piece include the musical bars of a Symphony, the Dubai Creek, the man-made Burj Khalifa fountain (of which the Symphony balcony overlooks), the containers in which things are shipped in and – of course – the dresses. These combinations of elements are built to form a story, “Symphony No 7”; with a giant book forming the basis of the installation which will be placed in the store window. Salama Alabbar commented: “I am very excited for Symphony to be partnering with The Tinkah Studio. Fashion and Art are never far away from each other, and the Tinkah Studio represents everything that we believe in; passion, creativity and high standards – it’s great for us to provide them with a platform in the fashion world and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to be associated with such a high calibre art studio. It is wonderful to see an artist’s interpretation of our work and theme and I hope that our clientele will be inspired by the different mediums of art that will be in-store from October 7th. This collaboration marks the first of many art installations and projects to come.”

a spread of thoughts
in a symphony of her passion & dreams
gathering
in harmony
in a line of seasons
in her crates and containers
from an ocean
a series of skylines to the mystical city of dreams
in a group of days
floating upon her melody
on a creek the old port in deira … a deck
her abra’s
handlers awaiting to gather her selection
her magical stream
fountain…

…TO BE CONTINUED OCTOBER 7th 2010
Commenting on the artistic collaboration, The Tinkah Design Studio said “We were inspired by this new challenge; we enjoyed working with the beautiful space of the store and are honoured to be involved with Symphony; which is the first young and local boutique project with soul in the region. We feel that our message and objectives are in-tune and are very excited to see people’s reactions.” The artwork and installation will be in-store at Symphony from October the 7th 2010. A date that will also mark the official store opening event, with many international VIPs and Designers being flown in for the exclusive event.
Alongside the AW10 campaign images and commissioned art installation Symphony will be printing limited edition postcards of some of the look book shots which were taken in the Bastikya area of the Creek; a run of only 500 copies of each image will be printed and will be available in-store from late September 2010. Symphony is also unveiling the “The Symphony Edit” in late September which will be a complimentary in-store magazine providing readers with the very best of Symphony AW10.

SYMPHONY
FASHION AVENUE, THE DUBAI MALL
T: 04 330 8050

Love to all

xxx

Just Deserts: Ports 1961

Tia Ciabani recently stepped down from her role as Creative Director at Canadian-born brand Ports 1961 to make way for her sister, Fiona. What did the other Ciabani sister have to offer? The answer is plenty. The usual Ports offering of draped basic dresses and wearable tunics were there but there was also a move towards more dramatic evening gowns; we can envisage the one shoulder finale gown being sported on the red carpet by the likes of Ports celebrity fans Reese Witherspoon and Olivia Palermo. Fiona was inspired by a recent trip to the Sahara Desert; which was evident in the camel, cream and white colour palette but there was also a definite 70s vibe running through the collection. Models (and let’s not gloss over the fact that FREJA opened. Swoon) were styled with big Charlies Angels-esque hair and the billowy strapless maxi dresses and bright emerald coloured silk gowns would not be out of place at Studio 54 circa 1970.

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The Ports 1961 AW10 Collection is available at Symphony NOW!
Spring/Summer 2011 will be in-store from early 2011. To place a priority VIP order please email info@symphonystyle.ae
Symphony
Ground Floor, Fashion Avenue
The Dubai Mall
T: 04 330 8050

Love to all

xxx