EDITOR SINDHU NAIR

CHIEF FASHION CORRESPONDENT DEBRINA ALIYAH

SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS ABIGAIL MATHIAS

EZDHAR IBRAHIM ALI

AYSWARYA MURTHY

PHOTOGRAPHER ROB ALTAMIRANO

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR VENKAT REDDY

DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR HANAN ABU SIAM

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR AYUSH INDRAJITH

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DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT ARJUN TIMILSINA

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GLAMSOCIAL MEDIA

Take GLAM with you when you’re on the gowith the innovative tablet versions of our

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COMING UP

EVENTS OF THE MONTHMathaf Student Art Exhibition 2014: Black

and White Until June 26th

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art The exhibition marks the finale of a student art

competition launched by the Education Department at Mathaf in the fall of 2013. All schools in Qatar were invited to participate

and the museum received over 300 submissions from schools within and outside Doha. Students created works ranging from installations, video and paintings to mixed media, sculptures and photographs. The

winning artworks have been selected by a judging panel, including staff from Qatar

Museums, the Public Art department, Katara Art Centre and Msheireb Art Centre, in

addition to Mathaf staff from the Education and Curatorial departments. Admission is free.

Our annual double summer issue this year is a fiesta as many of us are not only indulging

in escapades to faraway lands but this summer also coincides with the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid. We will be compiling

the ultimate guide to kaftans and dresses for the festivities as well as gifts for your loved

ones in our bumper issue!

32 \ ●3

SAVE

VSSPLURGE

Dubbed the ‘ugly shoe’ trend that has taken over the feet of the most stylish this summer, flat sandals are the numero uno item that you need in your shoe rotation,

if not THE only one. It is absolutely liberating to be kicking off our heels and abandoning the chunky platforms to slip

our feet into the comfortable contours of poolslide-inspired footwear. It is a

breeze to wear the trend with daytime outfits especially since the relaxed

silhouettes of summer seems a match in heaven with these sandals but for the

night, pick sharply tailored separates or delicate feminine dresses to perfect

the look. Two things are essential to ace this trend, consistent summer-long

pedicure appointments and a big dash of nonchalance confidence.

FLAT LINE

SAVE●1 Glitter Sandals, QR215, Asos,

www.asos.com●2 Flat Jute Sandal, QR328, Massimo

Dutti, Landmark Mall. ●3 Colour Bio Sandal, QR195, Zara,

Villaggio Mall.●4 Ethnic Pattern Sandal, QR195, Zara,

Villaggio Mall.●5 Leather Crossover Sandal with

Jewels, QR350, Zara, Villaggio Mall.

SPLURGE●1 Naim Cork Runway Mule, QR3,076,

Chloe, Porto Arabia. ●2 Tri Colour Leather Wedge Sandal,

QR2,980, Fendi, Villaggio Mall. ●3 Costa Nada Fringe Sandals, QR4,884,

Christian Louboutin, Villaggio Mall.●4 Thong Strap Sandal, QR1,953,

Lanvin, Villaggio Mall.●5 Fringed Sandy Sport Sandals,

QR2,328, Tod’s, Villaggio Mall.

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●3

●4

●2

●5

●2

●4

●1

●5

Gia Coppola’s directorial debut has definitely lived up to the familial legacy of the talented

Coppolas, with Palo Alto gaining critics’ support. The movie weaves a coming of age tale starring

Emma Roberts and James Franco; the latter being the author of a series of short stories on

which the movie was based. “I look up to James. He has such an amazing work ethic – it’s really

inspiring. He’s completely fearless. I strive to be more like that. I was very nervous about doing a feature film but I was lucky to have someone

like James, who believed in me so much and took me through it so I was able to not worry and just

enjoy creating,” Gia says. Bringing together the world of fashion with

filmmaking, Gia has collaborated with Farfetch to bring to life the essence of her own personal

style as well as anecdotes from the movie. “Costumes say a lot about a character. When it came to Palo Alto it was important for me

that the kids didn’t look perfect. In most teen movies today, all of the clothes are expensive. I

remember wearing a lot of dirty vintage clothes.”

PALO ALTO

‘Making short films felt like an extension of photography but with more challenges and gadgets to play with. I really love the one [I made] for Opening Ceremony – ‘Non Plus One’. That was really my first video so I have a soft spot for it.’

‘It was a natural fit (making the movie). I was really interested in the subject matter of teenagers – I had just finished college and had had enough separation where I could reflect back on those awkward years. So when I read James Franco’s book, it really felt right.’

“I have a real appreciation for fashion, it’s a way of self-expression. I enjoy seeing how my friends - Proenza Schouler, Zac Posen, Rodarte - use clothes to create their vision and art.’

34 \ TRENDS

Jacket from Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane and Pants from 3.1 Phillip Lim; both available from Far Fetch

36 \ TRENDS

AFURRYFAIRYTALE

How many ways can you wear fur in the summer? A furry many ways of course, according to the Italian vanguard of furs, Fendi. It appeared as delicate adornments on fingers and ears, and shy glimpses on bags as the models walked down the spring runway. The eye-catching pops of accessories are the result of a symbolic

collaboration between Delfina Delettrez and Karl Lagerfeld, which is adorably named Furrytale. Delfina, a cult jewellery

designer, who is also the granddaughter of Adele Fendi, created the exclusive jewellery for SS2014 in homage to her family’s heritage. The collection features her signature offbeat and surrealist style

with key pieces of cuffs, rings and ear cuffs that are adorned with detachable tufts of deeply coloured mink fur and feathers. There’s a strong tone of playfulness in the collection as Delfina uses materials

like white pearls and crystals to bring to life the ‘Eye’ imagery – a signature motif of hers, and of course with the use of fur, symbolises the marrying of her lineage with the house of Fendi. The collection

starts from QR2,500. Fendi is located at Villaggio Mall.

TRENDS / 37

Cult abaya brand, Slouchy’Z, takes on symmetry of modern architecture and geometric patterns as the key story for their Spring Summer 2014 collection,

presenting the abaya in a vastly contemporary context. The inspirations were translated into fabric

shapes of linen, cotton and crepes with the colour palette of navy, black, white, beige and grey – classic

solid signature shades of the label. Each piece from the collection incorporates a combination of handmade embroideries and luxurious fabrics in bold blocks, resulting in an abaya that is modern and distinct. The SS2014 collection is in tandem

with the label’s rebranding initiative to stay in tune with the changing landscape of the fashion industry in the Middle East. “It is important that Slouchy’Z

retains its established principles but at the same time develops a new and modern identity. We feel that, as our culture blends more with the western culture, it is necessary to do the same with fashion, nonetheless, upholding our traditional values. We want to make

sure we send the right message that we can be modern, edgy and traditional at the same time,” says

the label’s founding designer Maryam Al Selaich.

MODERNSYMMETRY

AN EDIT OF THINGS THAT ARE HOT NOW

GAYDAMAK JEWELLERY

Hand bracelets or palm cuffs first made a confusing debut appearance as questions were asked, “Is your bracelet stuck?” But to those in the know,

the hand bracelet, which is worn over four fingers and between the thumb was the mark of the cool trend spotters. It is also the signature creation that cemented the success of Parisian jewellery label Gaydamak – the

brainchild of sisters Katia and Sonia Gaydamak. The hand bracelet was inspired by chance when a chain caught itself around Katia’s palm, and

has since become a new icon statement piece. The sisters were formally train in gemology and work exclusively with precious metals and gems

in their collections, injecting elements of art and nature into their work. “We were looking to innovate with a statement piece of jewellery that had never been seen before, when we realised the hand is a forgotten part of a

woman’s body”, the sisters explain. www.gaydamakjewellery.com

ETHAN K ICONS

One of the world’s most lovable bespoke bag designers, Ethan K has released the

Icons Collection – an ongoing project where Ethan designs with internationally

recognised personalities as his muses. Drawing on the individual’s travel

destinations, favourite flowers, and distinct lifestyles, the bags are truly

reflective of Ethan K’s bespoke services and the essence of his work. Among the personalities in the Icons Collection are

managing director of Citibank Singapore, Lee Lung Nien, president of Saks Fifth Avenue Marigay Mckee, vice president

of Mercury Alla Verber and Kazakh artist Anar Aitzhanova.

TRENDS / 39

ASAP54

We just have to admit that Instagram has given us all major wardrobe envy, especially during Fashion Week feeds.

Who’s wearing what, and where can we get our hands on them? It was only

a matter of time that something like ASAP54 would be conceived to solve our

first world fashion troubles. The app is like the fashion equivalent of Shazam, serving up suggestions of looks based on any uploaded imagery. The photos,

though primarily fashion, could include anything from scenery to interior décor,

and ASAP54 will return results of clothes, shoes and accessories that fit into the

theme. If the automatic results do not suit your fancy, there’s also an option to ask a real-life stylist to find results tailored to

you. And the best part is that you can shop the suggested items immediately! “I have been hugely excited by the way people are using the app and making almost anything

‘shoppable’, from landscapes to food,” says app founder Daniela Cecilio.

CLAIRE’S X KATY PERRY

Katy Perry’s latest album Prism leads with the hit single ‘Roar’, a song drawing on personal empowerment and the artist has

collaborated with kitsch accessories brand Claire’s for a Prism collection. The assortment of adorable jewellery and fashion

accessories including Roar rings, tiger-shaped earrings, tiger-ear sunglasses, and phone covers, are all inspired by the lyrics and

titles of Katy’s greatest hits. The collection is limited edition and will be available through summer. Claire’s is at Landmark Mall.

BENEDETTA BRUZZICHES

Fashion always reflects the times that we live in, and there’s no better time to immortalise the ‘selfie’ culture that has reigned supreme in social media. So when we first laid eyes on the Mirror Mirror clutch by Benedetta Bruzziches,

we knew it was going to be a major hit as it not only functions as a vanity mirror for on-the-go makeup retouches but also a great ‘selfie’ taking opportunity! The oval clutch fits only the necessary and the clasps takes a page from the

original Snow White fairy tale, asking the age-old “Who’s the fairest of them all?” The Italian designer started her line of whimsical clutches three years ago and has quickly gained fans globally for her quirky touch. Benedetta Bruzziches

is now available in Per Lei Couture boutique at Porto Arabia, The Pearl.

40 \ FASHION

In the newly appointed Anna Wintour Costume Center, the highly prolific retrospective exhibition ‘Charles James: Beyond Fashion’

examines the crucial role that the couturier Charles James played not only as a fashion creator but also as an educator. “Charles James

was a wildly idiosyncratic, emotionally fraught fashion genius who was also committed to teaching,” says Harold Koda,

curator-in-charge of The Costume Institute. “He dreamt that his lifetime of personal creative evolution and the continuous

metamorphosis of his designs would be preserved as a study resource for students. In our renovated galleries, we will fulfill his

goal and illuminate his design process as a synthesis of dressmaking, art, math, and science.” Approximately sixty five of Charles’s most notable designs, produced over the course of his

career from the 1920s until his death in 1978, are on display at the exhibition. The legendary couturier was most famed for his iconic

gowns, the ‘Clover Leaf’, the ‘Butterfly’, the ‘Tree’ and the ‘Swan. The exhibition runs from now until August 10th at The Costume Institute

of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

BEYOND FASHION

Beyond FashionAll images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Charles James (American, born Great Britain, 1906–1978), “Butterfly” Ball Gown, ca. 1955, Brown silk chiffon, cream silk satin, brown silk satin, dark brown nylon tulle, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Fund, 2013 (2013.591), Photo: © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, by Karin Willis.

Babe Paley in Charles James Gown, 1950, Photograph by John Rawlings, Rawlings / Vogue / Condé Nast Archive. Copyright © Condé Nast

Austine Hearst in Charles James Clover Leaf Gown, ca.

1953, Photographer Unknown, © Bettmann/CORBIS

Charles James, 1952, Photograph by Michael A. Vaccaro / LOOK Magazine Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Look Job 52-1129 Frame-18

FASHION / 41

●1 Sarah Jessica Parker, co-chair of the Met Gala, in an Oscar de la Renta gown.

●2 Husband and wife duo, Jay-Z in a custom Givenchy tux and Beyonce in a Givenchy Couture dress.

●3 Celebrity couple, Sean Penn and Charlize Theron. Charlize wore a Dior Couture gown with Fred Leighton jewellery.

●4 Reese Witherspoon, Cara Delevingne, Rihanna, Stella McCartney, and Kate Bosworth all wearing designs from Stella McCartney.

●5 Emmy Rossum in a Carolina Herrera gown. ●6 Kate Mara in a Valentino Couture gown. ●7 Zoe Saldana in a Michael Kors creation.

CELEBRITIES AND LUMINARIES INTERPRET THEIR OWN VERSION OF CHARLES JAMES’ SIGNATURE STRUCTURED SILHOUETTES ON THE RED CARPET OF THE ANNUAL COSTUME INSTITUTE BENEFIT.

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It is very New York-centric, and it’s not even womenswear, but all season we have been referencing one cult brand that we feel sets the tone for the undercurrent of

sporting looks that scatter retail spaces. Public School, designed by two very urbane gentlemen Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, evokes a kind of new age casual coolness with lingering hints of the early 90s too-cool-for-school generation. It

is with this essence that we should peruse summer’s leap into a sporting life. It is athletic, and it is sporty but it is also luxurious and there is nothing laughable about pairing sandals with socks anymore, now that Prada has enabled it. Plimsolls, racer backs, gym shorts, stripes, and mesh in high-tech fabrics then are given the fashion

touch with bold volumes and refined lines. A feminine textured bomber jacket or with appliqués if you please, a tennis-style skirt, a pair of stylicised track pants and a

slouchy hoody ala Stephane Rolland will kick you off in the right direction.

42 \ FITNESS CHIC

ASPORTING LIFE

Atelier Versace sports the hoodie

Celine SS14

Celine SS14

Clutch from Celine SS14

Colour block panel top from Salsa

Ferragamo

Espadrilles from Chloe

Fendi and the sporting blue

FITNESS CHIC / 43

Flouncy skirt from Salvatore Ferragamo

Victoria Beckham Spring Summer 2014

Salvatore Ferragamo

Pull & Bear

Pull & Bear

Sweat-shirt from Marc Jacobs

M Missoni floral cropped top with track pants

Luxe track pants from Massimo Dutti

Longchamp

Longchamp

Celine SS14

Celine SS14

Fendi

Geometric patterns from Sergio Rossi

Waistbelt doubles as a fanny pack at Aigner

Stripes from Paul Smith

The tennis polo shirt goes voluminous from Celine

The ultimate bomber jacket from Erdem with floral appliqués

Stripy inspirations from London-based label Krystof Strozyna

Oysho Spring Summer 2014 campaign

Victoria Beckham Spring Summer 2014

Oysho’s track pants are perfect for an evening out when paired with heels

Pull & Bear

Superdry

44 \ FITNESS CHIC

Mesh tank top and linen tracks from Chloe

Prada Spring Summer 2014Tod’s SS14

Osman Paco RabannePanel shift dress from Fendi

FITNESS CHIC / 45

46 \

URBANSCAPES

A HIGHLY UNIQUE VOICE FROM THIS REGION, MIRA HAYEK’S DESIGNS ARE DIRECTIONAL AND EXCITINGLY DISTINCT FROM THE AU COURANT

IN THE RISE OF MIDDLE EASTERN FASHION.

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

FITNESS CHIC / 47

48 \

is categorical, and sure, it is definitely not something that the mass market may easily understand, but Mira’s collections are a catalyst to a burgeoning new voice of designers who are not afraid to pursue their own aesthetics. Trained at Milan’s Instituto Marangoni, Mira worked with Elie Saab and Erdem before being selected by Lebanon’s fashion collective Starch Foundation to kick-start her own label in 2001. Her eponymous label, strikingly steered towards urban sportswear, seems almost prescient of the sporting

trend that has taken over the runways this season.

The designer’s signature is to engineer garments with geometric lines to create distinct blocs using different colour and fabric combinations. “It evolves every season but this signature theme retains the same urban sensibility and, most importantly, evokes fun and optimism,” Mira explains. In the increasingly evolving communities across the Middle East, the new muse of fashion is now urban and independent, “The Mira Hayek woman is dynamic, creative and strongly influenced by music and dance. She is at ease with herself and confident,” Mira says.

The designer talks to us about the arrival of sportswear as fashion’s new fixture and the rise of minimalism.

Why did you decide to venture into sportswear? When designing the collections, the most important factor that comes to my mind is ‘what pieces do I see myself in?’ This being said, the collections always revert back to my sense of style – cohesive, comfortable and modern pieces that can take you from day to night.

Sportswear is definitely trending right now. Do you think it will be something that will be long-lived? How do you think the trend can become a permanent feature in womenswear?The sportswear trend will definitely become a corner stone on runways due to the reality behind the modern day woman. Currently, women are seeking easy yet trendy pieces to fit their fast-paced and efficient lifestyle due to the dramatic speed-up of how we live our lives these days.

How did your foray into fashion design begin? I started my journey in graphic design, thereafter, I moved to Milan to continue my studies in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni. Hungry for more, I completed a master’s degree in Fashion and Textile Design at Istituto Europeo Di Design. I returned back home in 2009 and launched the first Mira Hayek collection in 2011.

What do you think of the design scene now in the Middle East? Are people becoming more receptive to new ideas?The Middle East as a whole is becoming a trendsetter in apparel in my opinion, especially with the rise and acknowledgement of designers, art and talent. The mentality of long lavish evening gowns is no doubt still existent, however, the style is drifting towards a more minimalistic, structural and lighter silhouette.

What do you think are the defining features of fashion sportswear compared to functional sportswear? The term ‘sportswear’ was originally used to refer to clothing for active sports, and later to clothing worn to watch sporting events. However, this term has changed and is now being applied to the broad category of casual wear that is worn at any time of the day and for a wide variety of activities. Sportswear is now considered by many to be the dominant clothing style worldwide.

What is in your pipeline now to venture into a bigger market? I would love to start selling my merchandise in Doha. We are in the process of organising trunk shows around the Middle East and the Gulf – and we will definitely keep everyone posted via social media. The brand is currently being sold online at mysouk.com and mooda.com and we also take personal orders by phone or email.

FITNESS CHIC / 49

IT

The sports-wear trend will

definitely become a corner stone on

runways due to the reality behind

the modern day woman.

50 \ FASHION

AN ODYSSEY FORSHOE-LOVERS

IF CINDERELLA HAD LIVED IN MODERN TIMES, PRINCE CHARMING MIGHT HAVE NEVER HAVE FOUND HER. WHAT

WITH NICHE DESTINATIONS LIKE LEVEL SHOE DISTRICT, THE NOTION OF “THE ONE” PERFECT PAIR OF SHOE IS BUT A MERE

ROMANTICISED NOTION OF THE PAST. IN A 96,000 SQUARE FEET PALATIAL SHOE METROPOLIS, YOU ARE BOUND TO FALL

IN LOVE AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH ALL THINGS SOLE.

BY DEBRINA ALIYAH

LEVEL SHOE DISTRICT

FASHION / 51

one thing that seals the deal with Level is its ability to surprise. Just when you thought that you have seen the season’s latest, you turn a corner and discover there’s more. But unlike a traditional department store where at times, stocking can be mundane and repetitive, Level seems to keep the excitement going by presenting new perspectives. A 24karat gold loafer? Limited edition sneakers? Sky-high runway stilettos? Oh, and is that a bunny or a shoe?

To the uninitiated, Level Shoe District is the reigning shoe mecca of the world, aptly located in the world’s largest retail space, the Dubai Mall. From the exterior, anchored by (unsurprisingly) the world’s first Louis Vuitton shoe maison, Level presents a sleek and polished image but once inside, it is a jovially-appointed decadent collection of shoe labels. Mini pop-ups and seasonal themes urge you to listen to the tales they weave before you try on a pair of shoe. Take this summer for example, where flat sandals are the de facto shoes of the season, Level takes you on a Greek Odyssey to rustic Greece village homes wearing none other than cult label Ancient Greek Sandals. When you take a break from your shopping spree, enjoy a special Greek-inspired menu at Vogue Café – located right in the center of Level’s beating heart. It is an experience all round, it is no longer just about trying and buying shoes, “We will be traditional in the sense of the level of distinct quality of service, but we want to be unexpected in our offerings,” says Rania Masri, General Manager of Level. The space is also home to the first Margaret Dabbs spa outside of the UK – the world’s first foot beauty clinic – and The Cobbler – purveyors of bespoke shoe services.

Beyond the heavyweights in the designer sections for both men and women which spell an impressive repertoire including Oscar de la Renta and Giambattista Valli, the contemporary section is the reflection of pop culture of the times. Stepping into the contemporary floor is akin to entering an urban club with dimmed lighting and hip music to match the offbeat selections of footwear that even Harajuku-dwellers would be impressed with. It is probably the few places in the world to play host to vantage-centric brands like Sue Comma Bonnie and freshly minted labels like Ivy Kirzhner. Level’s ability to source far and wide is enviable as it commands a varied clientele but the approach has also allowed Middle Eastern shoppers to discover a whole wide world of shoe designers that were previously not available in the region. Level’s continuous effort to help these new brands tell their stories through in-store promotions has a lasting effect on creating a culture of truly understanding what you are buying.

It is also an art of indulging visitors in specialty shoe trends. Level has a dedicated area for sneaker culture, where fans known as “sneaker heads” avidly collect unique and special editions of sports footwear. “We wanted to do something other retail stores don’t have by promoting this community-based love of sneakers. It’s all about a mindset and a lifestyle and it extends beyond just Nikes or Pumas but an edit of unique sneakers including ones that are not popular in

TheLevel Shoe District - Trends Area

Shoe Odyssey - Level Shoe District

Level Shoe District - Women’s Designer collection

52 \ FASHION

the mainstream,” Rania explains. In come cult brands like Hogan with its colourful cushiony interpretations and Golden Goose’s signature washed-out high-tops. Even UGGs and Havaianas find their spots in Level – the current season hot list being the alligator-strap flip flops from the Valentino and Havaianas collaboration.

The clout of the shoe metropolis is unmistakable, simply by the fact that designers are eagerly creating shoes that are made available exclusively in Level. It has after all become the

launching pad of many budding labels including Louis Leeman and Julie Jolie while paving new markets for established names. The success of the Level’s Exclusive collections has gained the store a strong fan base that is unrivalled, because who wouldn’t want to get their feet on a pair of limited edition shoes from their favourite designers? And to top off the experience, an expert team of personal stylists are always on hand be it to help you find shoes for specific occasions or to help you grow your collection of footwear.

“LEVEL IS EVERY SHOE LOVER’S HEAVEN! IT’S THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WITH THE BEST AND WIDEST SELECTION OF SHOE BRANDS, CONCIERGE SERVICES, A FOOT SPA, A COBBLER, A VOGUE CAFÉ. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?” EDGARDO OSORIO OF AQUAZZURA

Level Shoe District - Women’s Contemporary Area

EDgardo OSORIOCredit Photo Carlo Fugeri

BOBBIES WHO IS KNOWN FOR THEIR DRIVING MOCCASINS

IN BRIGHT COLOURS HAS EXCLUSIVELY MADE AN ALL-

BLACK SUEDE PAIR TWITH GOLD TIPS ON THE TASSELS.

THE SIGNATURE LOGO AT THE BACK OF THE SHOE IS STITCHED IN GOLD. “LEVEL IS THE MOST FASCINATING

CONCEPT GLOBALLY. I THINK IT WAS AN AMAZING IDEA.”

BOBBIES

FASHION / 53

Tell us about your collaboration with Level Shoe District. We worked together with Level Shoe District’s very experienced VM team on the display for the Shoe Odyssey in-store theme this season, we exchanged ideas and the result is really amazing. With white and blue little houses and wooden boats, you feel as if you are strolling through a Greek Cycladic island! When we heard the title “Shoe Odyssey” we got really excited. It is so directly linked and perfectly aligned with Ancient Greek Sandals. This mythical concept is so well suited for our brand which is mainly inspired by ancient Greek mythology!

What do you think of Level Shoe District? Level Shoe District is a huge and unique shoe space. The vast variety of brands which is so well displayed makes shopping for shoes a whole new experience. By being part of the incredible brand mix and especially by having created this pop up store, Ancient Greek Sandals have gained major exposure and brand awareness not just locally but on an international scale.

What was your inspiration behind the exclusive piece crafted specifically for Level Shoe District this season?“Odyssey”, the high gladiator winged style for Women is available only at Level Shoe District in a bright cracked gold leather. This brings a new glamorous feel to this impressive sandal and I think it will be an instant success with Level’s fashion forward customers.

ANCIENTGREEK SANDALS

Ancient Greek Sandals Women’s PreSS’14 at Level Shoe District

Bionda Castana SS14 EXCLUSIVE at Level Shoe District

Isa Tapia SS14 EXCLUSIVE at Level Shoe District

Sophia Webster SS14 EXCLUSIVE at Level Shoe District

Aperlai PreSS’14 at Level Shoe District

Brian Atwood SS’14 at Level Shoe District

Brian Atwood SS14 EXCLUSIVE at Level Shoe District

United Nude SS’14 at Level Shoe District

Gianvito Rossi SS14 EXCLUSIVE at Level Shoe District

MAPPINGTHE

WORLDTHAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE FACEHUNTER DOES, BUT IN HIS

OFF-BEAT, INSIGHTFUL WAY. GLAM SQUAD’S DEBRINA ALIYAH

TRACKS HIM DOWN IN DOHA.

define Yvan Rodic is a difficult task, as he has cleverly carved himself into an entirely new category of the modern day global nomad. On the surface, he could be called a street style photographer but his work in recent times has departed from the now rather common endeavour of photographing people attending fashion shows. Instead, the FaceHunter, as he is known, travels cities – preferably ones that are off-the-beaten track – to hunt for the truly locale experience and documenting them in series of storytelling images.

Through a chance encounter with Qatari fashion designer, Wadha Al Hajri, in Milan during fashion week, Yvan hopped on a plane and arrived in Doha at the onset of the city’s scorching summer, and in time to experience Richard Serra’s installations all over the country. “This place is kind of under the radar and I was very curious,” he says. Through the eyes of Wadha and other

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARLA MALLARI

66 \

prolific fashion personalities in Doha, Yvan soaked up the culture from art exhibitions, food and the nightlife, in a way that he most prefers, “I want to have the insider perspective.”

It is this approach that has catapulted his visual diary site to its popularity, bringing in images and experiences that are entirely unique and not the standard postcard photos of cities. “Travelling is something very social to me. I want to go to places where locals hang out and eat what they eat, drink and dance where they dance. I think through that process, I get to meet organically interesting people in the scenes of each city and that helps in a short time to hit the right spots essentially, meeting and photographing the right people,” he explains. And so, while most street style blogs feature people dressed immaculately in designer gear, Yvan’s site features people with interesting stories to tell beyond the one shot. “It’s not just the clothes, it’s a package. I

think it’s easy to differentiate fashionistas from people who are truly interesting. Fashionistas are people who are just collecting trends while you can tell when people have something special inside them.”

That probably explains why the soul and architecture of Doha has won Yvan over compared to its flashier sister cities like Dubai. “There’s so much substance in Doha while Dubai is all about size; it doesn’t matter if it’s nice looking or not, as long as it’s the tallest in the world, but here there’s more sense of making buildings look interesting,” he says. The bourgeoning fashion industry has also not escaped his eyes, as he was pleasantly surprised when he discovered the contemporary womenswear designs of The Kayys and Nine Collection.

In the meteoric rise of his career, Yvan has published two photography books, FaceHunter and A Year in the Life of

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FaceHunter, a compilation of snap shots of fashion and lifestyle through his camera lens. He chose the name FaceHunter for a tinge of mystery and drama to help build the hype of his brand, creating an intrigue about the person behind the camera and also injecting a part of himself into his work. “You need to realise that getting a few shots is something that takes a lot of time. You need to be patient; you need to focus on the right time and event. It looks simple but especially in places with less material, it’s really hard work. You have to be dedicated, there’s no miracle,” he says.

He has just concluded an almost month-long adventure immersing himself into the colourful world of Colombia for jewellery brand Flor Amazona. Dubbed The FaceHunter Journey, he traversed the cities

and jungle of Colombia to discover and capture the reality of modern-day Colombia in a documentary-style approach.

“When I meet people that I photograph, I feel that the way they look captures what’s inside them. It’s a general intuition in me that these people would be interesting to talk to,” he says. A quick look at Yvan’s visual diary will have you dizzy with the impressive number of cities he has captured are but for now Iran and Nigeria is on his next ‘hunted’ list.

YVAN RODIC’S HOT SPOTS

Iceland, Reykjavik “It is in my opinion, one of the most interesting cities in the world. Often, people tend to connect the size of a city with culture and fashion vibrancy and it’s true to a certain extent when you think about cities like New York, London, and Tokyo, but Reykjavik is a really small town situated in a very isolated

part of the world. It was so great to see how confident and assured people were about the way they dress. The population is around three hundred thousand, and it’s not inspired by the outside world, it’s their own thing.”

Seoul, South Korea“One of the most stylish interpretations of menswear I have seen.”

Jakarta, Indonesia“Interesting mix of traditional fabrics like batik with contemporary pieces. They have a lot of Muslim-inspired fashion bloggers that are covered and dressed modestly but they were really into being photographed. I got many requests to take their photos. They were very expressive and it’s such a different perspective of a Muslim country.”

Johannesburg, South Africa“I feel like it’s the culture capital of Africa. A lot of people really mix African elements with something modern.”

Los Angeles, USA“It’s better than what people think. LA has a bit of everything; every single option you can dream of and LA is not as concentrated as New York, so there’s a lot of uniqueness. They don’t all hang out at the same places so they don’t get influenced by each other and you see more individual expressions. I feel that it’s understated as a style city.”

Sydney, Australia“This city is a rising star from a fashion perspective. Designers and street style influences have really come into the limelight in the last few years.”

WHERE THE BIG BOYSCOME OUT TO PLAY

A simple yet classic gesture for Father’s Day? The Valentino Uomo gift set for men consisting of the eponymous scent of the house: bergamot, myrtle, gianduia cream in a woody note.

James McAvoy has been looking dapper in Prada suits for world premiere events of the X-Men movie, Days of Future Past. He works a blue on blue combo in London and a maroon on grey combo in New York.

Jean Paul Gaultier forays into the world of horology this year with pieces inspired by self-expression and the art of retro mayhem from the olden days of bad boy sailors. The collection is available at Pari Gallery and starts from QR3,750.

Prada’s poster boy Dane DeHaan wore a teal-grey suit by Prada, of course, to the New York premiere of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, in which he plays the Green Goblin.

The Swarovski summer collection for men explores a dark and elegant colour palette that complements any man’s style and wardrobe. Black and grey tones meet subtle crystal embellishments, designed to add a contemporary edge to a sophisticated outfit.

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Bradley Cooper looked impressive on the red carpet of the Met Gala with an accompanying full beard in a Tom Ford tuxedo. The actor has packed on the pounds for his role as a Navy Seal in upcoming movie American Sniper.

Award-winning Arab singer and master composer, Majid Al Muhandis has been appointed as the face of Grande Ellipse, the collection marking the launch of Mouawad watches. The house has been making timepieces under the label of Robergé for nearly half a century and has now ventured into a Mouawad-signed collection. The Grande Ellipse chronographs include eighteen models that range from contemporary to sporty styles. The Mouawad boutique is at Lagoona Mall.

Lanvin’s summer loafers are a studded affair bringing tactile pleasures to calfskin leather. Little metal rings are embroidered onto the leather to give it a military and masculine twist. The braided black calfskin features a rubber effect while the smooth calfskin comes in midnight blue and brown. A two-tone python version of moccasins are also part of the collection with soles studded with hand-sewn metal rivets.

Level Shoe District’s summer exclusive shoes for men include these pairs from Magnanni and Nicholas Kirkwood. The Magnanni hand-dyed pair features a brushed effect on the leather while the Nicholas Kirkwood rendition features Level’s signature black and gold colour combination.