Category: Design

Orphans, charity, love, humanity and more…

I have had this project in mind for the past 2 years…I was perhaps a little to ambitious in my mind. I would have wanted to produce more items and give back as much as possible. As I decided to “retire” from the fashion industry and no longer create massive collections, I decided to venture into more of a humane/ethical world. I wanted to put myself to good use and make a positive impact in my community…which led me to think, why not use the fabrics/trims/buttons for a good cause. I wanted to create these items for the purpose of making children happy. I wanted to make 100 dresses (initially) for charity and give them to orphaned children in Jordan. I completely fell in love with the country and wanted to perhaps be able to leave a positive mark there. I searched high an low for the right place to invest my time in and with the help of some wonderful people, I was able to find the perfect place I will give my dresses to (will be keeping the name anonymous for the moment).

As I work on many  different project from running a business, to working full-time, to blogging, to planning a wedding…this project was on the back-burner. Truthfully, I was super disappointed with myself for not being able to complete the set amount. After some struggles and some squeezed time, I was able to complete 35 dresses. That doesn’t mean I will not set another goal, it just means that for the moment, this is what I have.

IMG_6943

IMG_6945

These dresses are collectives of different fabrics I owned, however, some were donated to me by friends. I used up loads of my trims and buttons to embellish them. I didn’t want to make regular boring dresses, I wanted something cool, different and unique. I wanted to make different size dresses and different dresses. Each one unique to its kind; never the same. I wanted the orphans to feel like princess in the special coming times. Since it will be Ramadan soon for us Muslims, Eid will follow. Taking the time to make these dresses in time to make the children feel happy and joyful is super humbling. I wanted to be able to offer those little beautiful angels something special just like them. Eid is a time of celebration for us, it is the time to share your wealth with the needy to make them feel like your equals. It is the time to be happy and celebrate with your loved ones. As Muslims, we grow up with charity instilled in us, because it truly is the essence of religiousness. To be able to share your goods with the needy is a marvelous feeling. It is necessary for me to keep the concept of unlimited love and kindness alive ad going.

Although I didn’t spend much time working of them, I enjoyed every minute and sincerely gave it my all.

IMG_6952

PS: this is one is one of my favorite!! I mean look at how cute it looks!! So novelty ❤

IMG_6956

I did not just stop at making little girls’ dresses, I decided to go all the way to teens. I did dresses for starting at 2 yrs till about 25 yrs. Now I would have wished that I had the chance to stay at the orphanage for a while and volunteer a little bit all through the holy month of Ramadan…but unfortunately, like I said, sometimes life takes us to different paths…paths we never dreamed of being in.

All in all, these 35 dresses all have a story behind them and I hope that this will at least make the girls happy, even if it’s for a couple of hours. I want to be part of their lives as they are the future and to make them feel loved and wanted is a blessing.

Since I was a little teeny weeny girly, I always wanted to go to Africa and “save” the world. I want to give my time to charity and not have anything in return except gratitude, friendships and memories with real people. Now, I never had the chance to go to Africa (yet), but I decided to start somewhere…although small, I am hoping that it will leave a great and positive impact. Philanthropy is a part of me and I am hoping to continue to share my love of humanity with those around me. For those who are interested in getting involved, you can shoot me an email and I will gladly transfer your messages to those in charge. This is completely non-profit for me. These orphans could use help getting the basic necessities such as school supplies or toiletries.

As Ghandi said; be the change you want to see in the world…I always, since a was little, tried to keep this in mind!

 

Handmade: Tuesday outfit

At the risk of sounding pompous..I am self-promoting today! I am finally wearing something I made; an item that is very dear to my heart because of its background story. Not to make this intro too long, I launched a collection inspired by my heritage and I truly wanted to share that with my audience and followers. I wanted to make a collection that represented who I am. A bicultural girl! A little Arabic and a little Canadian. I wanted people to see what I was made of; a little traditional, a little eccentric and a little modest! With a lot of heart and ambition ❤ Let’s not forget about that!

What was most exciting about this particular collection (entitled Eastern Pearl) is the fact that the embroidery on my pieces was done with the gracious and wonderful help of amazing individuals; underprivileged women in Jordan that stay in a refugee camp. They’re basically in a shelter that promotes gender equality and that stands up for women to stay strong, powerful and be heard. These women work hard to earn an honest living and that to me was extremely humbling and inspiring. Because I had 20 pieces or so..I couldn’t do the work all by myself, so I mainly focused on pattern making and sewing and left the rest to the genius embroidery fairies. The work was obviously a little more expensive, but knowing that the money  went to a good cause made me feel proud.

I sold a big part of this collection but kept some pieces because they were too beautiful to let go. This one in particular was the first one made and I needed to kept it for memory. And this is how I styled my favorite handmade embroidered jacket…

It’s a long straight cut jacket that is loose enough but fitted enough to be worn as an A-line dress too (if you close the zipper all the way up). It’s super pretty over dresses and even worn with jeans and killer heels. For today, I decided to wear it over a black jumpsuit. This outfit is definitely dressy, elegant and feminine. If styled with glamorous pieces, you can most definitely wear this out for a special event!

I added a little belt to cinch it up and put the emphasis on my waist. And finished the whole look up with my favorite clutch ever. This is another long story…but it’s a piece I bought in a little antique shop in Jerusalem. So many beautiful memories come with this precious piece. Ugh, screw you nostalgia!

img_4673

What I wore in details:

-Forever 21 jumpsuit.
-Palestinian embroidered jacket handmade by moi!
-Thrifted belt.
-Vince Camuto booties.
-Antique clutch.
-Michael Kors sunnies.

img_4674

I was never able to wear something I made, because I always felt like I was maybe showing off…but as I got older, I realized that it wasn’t true, it was just an idea I had put in my head because I wasn’t confident enough in myself. But now I know that we are all different and we all have something to offer. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better or it’s worse, it just means we all have something to put out there that will somehow make a difference in someone’s life. So if you take the time to make a garment or make an accessory or make a piece of art, don’t be shy to show it off, because it’s worth it! It’s worth it to show the world what you’re made of!

Always be true to who you are!

 

 

Etsy: Home of the Ingenious…

So as you all know by now, I am an Esty shop owner for about a year now. After being on the catwalk for 3 years, I realized I was part of the fast fashion industry and I didn’t want to contribute to more pollution to our planet. Long story short, being an Etsy shop owner made me discover loads of other shops that I absolutely fell in love with. Talented shop owner beyond anything I have seen…literally! And what I love about Etsy is that it’s a platform for handmade experts to expose their work and shine. Some of these shop owners use recycled materials and come up with the most genius products ever. This is a great way for recycling and up-cycling…a great way to be green, efficient and helpful to the environment. I sell on Etsy but I also like to shop because I know I will find some unique items that cannot be replicated anywhere else.

I came across 3 stores that I just couldn’t get over and I wanted to share them with you.

 

Sara Amrhein
Florence, Italy

Sara is an American artist that moved to Italy to pursue her career in jewelry making. What I absolutely fell in love with from her store is obviously her work…but more importantly the way she describes the items, the way she presents her work and the way she introduces herself and her work. I can clearly feel her passion and that is something I connected with even though I never met her in person. Her work is beautiful and I suggest you take a moment to check it out. If you are on the hunt for a new statement piece, I suggest you invest in one of her pieces. She works with polymer clay and the results are quite astonishing.

‘‘I love the way I am able to mix colors like tubes of paint and form it into any shape or design imaginable. It’s my way of creating miniature sculptures or works of art that can be worn and become part of our everyday lives.’’

 

Divamp
Barcelona, Spain

Boyd is a true artist, in every sense of the word. He’s super talented and I am super impressed with his ability to work with different materials and turn them from nothing to magnificent futuristic costumes. He’s just…ahh!! Perfection! Boyd doesn’t have to write or say anything, his passion shows through his work. If I could rock one of his pieces one day, I so would! Take a look at his shop, you will not be disappointed.

 ‘‘This Divamp shop is what I really like to make and where I truly can put all my efforts love, devotion and creativeness into, this is what I enjoy most’’

 

NoonOnTheMoon
Stratford, Canada

Felicite is a self taught artist and a dreamer. Those are the types of people I love to hang with. Having a dream and just going for it; success becomes much for delicious and your will becomes stronger. Felicite creates beautiful head pieces and jewels for weddings and special occasions. I came across her store while looking for a floral belt for a party I have this summer. She was willing to help me turn a head piece into a belt and I was super thankful for her cooperation. Although I did not purchase anything at the end, because I ended up changing my outfit, I will not hesitate to wear one of her special pieces to my own wedding. From what I can read up on her store, I feel her humbleness and kindness through her words. I urge you to go take a look at her store and if you have a special event coming up, don’t be afraid to invest in her pieces because they’re super adorbs!

‘‘Three years have now gone by since I started Noon on the Moon. Back then I had little more than a dream, but I used it to guide me. I had no education in art, or fashion, or photography, so I taught myself. I struggled with frustration and disappointment, (and still do), but it has been worth it. My bridal accessories have been worn by thousands of brides from over 35 countries. I sometimes have a hard time believing it!’’

 

 

A look into 2016’s Met Gala…

The Met Galas are always a joy to watch for the many fashion surprises we get. This is the one day where celebrities get to dress up crazy and go all the way (not that they can’t any other day). This year’s theme is Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. There were loads of cool outfits and pretty dresses. I wanted to share with you guys my 15 favorite looks and why I love them.

Katy Perry
I am always and forever in love with her. She’s the cutest and I absolutely love her costumey theatrical outfits for her shows and the elegance she has on the red carpet. This Prada signed dress is the bomb. I love how loud and dramatic it looks. I give her props for wearing it so elegantly well.

katy perry
George Pimentel/Getty Images

Kate Hudson
I love the work on this number. Atelier Versace is always on point with cut outs and panels. They have the most intricate detailing ever. Their dresses are both elegant and so fashion forward. The silhouettes are flattering and cuts are interesting. This dress is a total winner. Way to go Kate!!

527562536
George Pimentel/Getty Images

Selena Gomez
Even though her look is quite simple, I love it. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about it that I absolutely adore. It’s girly, cute yet a little badass. It looks so 90s!! Perhaps this is what I love about it. This Louis Vuitton number is fresh and hip and definitely deserves a shout out.

527344920
Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Blake Lively
She always knows what to wear and how to wear it. Her style is timeless. Blake is always on point in her outfits and her elegance gives her extra cookies!!! This Burberry number is sultry, sexy and super feminine. The color suits her so well and the shine is subtle yet loud enough to make a statement. She looks like a Grecian goddess ˂3

527570976
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Kate Bosworth
Even though I think the color washes her out a little bit; I can’t get over this beautiful gown. Dolce & Gabbana always know how to make a woman look wonderful and scrumptious. Their creations are just divine and to die for. The workmanship on Kate’s dress is stunning; the intricate detailing is on point. Love this on Bosworth!!! She rocked it.

527607012
Rabbani & Solimene Photography/Getty Images

Nicole Kidman
To me, she’s the queen of the red carpet, there’s not one look she missed. Her outfits, her makeup and hair are constantly winning. This dress is yummy! This Valentino dress is celestial and dreamy and wonderful and beautiful and just ugh!! So prettttyyyy ˂3 I would totes wear this dress to breakfast, lunch and supper. Nicole looks magical. She deserves a massive high-five for this number.

527345150
Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Irina Shayk
This Marc Jacobs’ dress is so delicate. It’s very feminine and Irina is wearing it well. The color suits her well and the cut even more. People would either love this dress or hate it. But I sincerely think the lacy fabric and the color make this dress elegant in a very simple way. The bustier top gives it a sexy oomph and Irina really knows how to make it work.

527483858
Venturelli/Getty Images

Emma Stone
She’s the one celebrity I would totes be best friends with. Her charm and allure make me want to eat her (in a totally not creepy innocent way).  This Prada gown with a corset embellished with floral accents makes her look fierce and fashion forward. The simplicity in the design but the complexity of the detailing makes Emma look like a gothy gladiator ready to slay style-haters. Her new hair color is super epic too! Love Emma ˂3

527642896
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Miranda Kerr
Balmain did it again. The color, the texture, the cut and the detailing on Miranda’s outfit is just special. It’s unique in every sense of the word. She really knows how to dress her hot bod! I don’t know why but I find this outfit super joyful despite the dark colors. The ruffles on the skirt are super cute!!! EEEEE. She’s a total babe!!

527574400
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Claire Danes
She definitely take the prize of the coolest dress in this year’s Met Gala. Her Zac Posen gown makes look like Cinderella. But the fact that it lights up…that’s just another level of wow. The thing I am mostly attracted to in this dress is the fabric…the silky sheen snow blue tone color gives this dress a royal Disney princess look and Claire is wearing it super well. Zac’s effortless layering skills are always on point. I commend him for his talent and wonderful taste. He is truly a handy designer.

527517078
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Gigi Hadid
Even though this Tommy Hilfiger dress is super simple, the color and the cut make this mention worthy. It’s sheer, sleek, sexy, delicate and feminine all at once. Sometimes less is more and she truly proved that. The simple styling gives this dress a shot to stand out on its own without clutter.

527501574
Venturelli/Getty Images

Zoe Kravitz
She got the costume part right. Zoe killed it with this Valentino creation. She looked mysterious and sultry. The shoes are so cool; I wish I could own them right now. This dress commands presence and she delivers. This wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it really does it for me. She’s a daredevil princess!!

527359846
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Taylor Swift
What I liked about Taylor’s look is the edginess. It’s not the usual girly girl look that Taylor usually goes for. She took a risk with this Louis Vuitton dress and it paid off. The hair is a little questionable, but I commend her for risking it. She definitely has a combat slayer look going and it’s working in her favor.

527571046
Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Saoirse Ronan
I find this look cute for some reason…Saorise looks adrobs with the feathers and the little butterfly. This Christopher Kane dress is interesting and it gives her a certain edge. The dress is a statement in itself and she wore it well.

527632332
Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Sofia Sanchez de Betak
I can’t help it. Another D&G creation I fell in love with. D&G always hit it out of the park in terms of elegance and design. They are a killer duo and I look up to them hard. I am in love with everything they do. The bohemian, free spiritedness, elegance, creativity and complexity of their designs just make them #1 in my book. The colors and textures are always up to par and beyond. Sofia knows her stuff and choosing this piece gives her major thumps up. The dress and cape combination is pure royalty. Owning a D&G dress is on my bucket list…I don’t know where I would wear it, but even if I did at home and sipped on tea, I’d die happy.

527466296
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

 

So what were your favorites look..feel free to share your thoughts below.

Cheers xo

 

 

**All pictures belong to Getty Images**
http://www.gettyimages.ca/

 

Patching it up weekend style.

So I have been wanting to make these patched up jeans for a while but being busy and procrastinating sometimes gets in the way. As soon as I found myself less busy, I decided this is the right time to make an old jean of mine look rockin’.

IMG_5610

I have had these boyfriend Forever 21 jeans for a while and wanted to embellished them my own way. So I turned to my favorite place to shop for patches and found this beautiful store that carries loads of cute and adorable patches. If you are looking to embellish something you own, I recommend you visit them. The service was great and the patches arrived on time.
(https://www.etsy.com/shop/ExtremeLargeness?ref=l2-shopheader-name)
(http://retail.extremelargeness.com/)
(Instagram: @extremelargeness)

il_570xN.874298611_74qp.jpg
Photo from Etsy store: @ExtremeLargeness

So after a few hours and cutting, sticking, sewing and bleeding…this is what I came up with. Hope you like them!!

IMG_5635
IMG_5641
IMG_5676
IMG_5673
What I wore:

-Forever 21 denim.
-Reitmans fluffy sweater.
-Nine West leopard print shoes.
-Amethyst silver chained necklace.
-Black & gold pashmina.

 If you liked this post and end up making your own. Please tag me on instagram (@ledressingdemoon) as I would like to see your results 🙂

Cheers xo

 

Partners in crime…

I have been friends with Miss Katie for a while and she’s amazeballs. We met while working at Joshua Perets. We were both assistant designers at the time….and through our miseries, we became friends. Our love for Daddy Yankee, cheap sandwiches from the convenience store, sweaters and fries, made us inseparable. Oh!!! And crying in the bathroom together too (true story!!)…Although we were literally working 2 inches away from each other, we wrote each other notes like we were back in grade 5. Always having fun while hustling.

Even though we only worked together for a year, I felt like we knew each other for ages. At the time, we even planned to open a store together and call it Glitz & Glam. I don’t remember who was glitz and who was glam, but we were definitely set on doing that. Then life took us different places. We grew, we traveled, we worked at our own projects and paths…but we still maintained contact. Seeing Katie evolve was pretty spectacular. She had mad sketching skills when we worked together, but now she’s got killer graphic skills.

I wanted to share with you some of her work. She’s a freelance graphic designer and does some pretty sick work…You’ll love it!! Not only is super talented, but she’s generous, she’s kind, she’s smart and she can make anyone just plain giggle!! I asked her a few questions, keep reading below to get to know her a little.

248269_10150202670039072_2150645_n

1 – Why did you study fashion design?

I ended up in fashion design by accident. I’ve always been creative and knew I wanted to do something creative “when I grew up”. I guess I’ve always liked clothing and took sewing lessons as a kid. In high school we had to do volunteer hours and though a classmate who was into musical theater I ended up helping with costume and being a dresser for Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. I loved the excitement backstage and after high school when I decided Fine Arts wasn’t going to get me into a paying career I applied to a bunch of schools for a bunch of different creative trades like film-making. A family friend had attended Lasalle College in Montreal and I had applied there since you could specialize in costume. They had accepted me and two weeks before the semester started they called me and asked if I was coming or not. After graduating I just ended up getting work in apparel and footwear and that is how I’ve ended up where I am now.

13010029_10153608867814072_782526631_o

2-Why the change of course? From fashion to graphic?

I still consider myself in fashion but I am usually more into the Graphic side of things like CADs or technical sketches. I really like it because it is a quick way to get a sneak peak at what the final garment will look like instead of waiting on samples to roll in. Adding and developing prints to put on these sketches just brings the garment to life even more and I find that really exciting.

3-What inspires you and what keeps creativity rolling?

Everything inspires me. Keep me away from Pinterest!! I usually love bold prints and colors! Right now I think Mara Hoffman can do no wrong! Seeing these images just makes me what to make things. Anything!

12970341_10153608865664072_571934600_o
12986806_10153608866579072_375680983_o
13010130_10153608865684072_813660105_o

4-Where do you aspire to be a few years from now?

The design industry can feel really corporate and the end goal would be to be fully self sufficient though a contract/ freelance/ personal company way. I love learning how to make new things and different things so I enjoy building on my skill set and who knows what opportunities will come along.

12999726_10153608865799072_1332712219_o
13000408_10153608867724072_1080838777_o
13010139_10153608867734072_1533543211_o

Can we all take a moment to fall in love with the banana print!! Ughhh ❤

If you want to check more of her work…you can find her on  Instagram @katiegriffindesign! Don’t be shy peeps and hit the follow button.

Until next time.

Cheers xo

 

A look into my work week: The fashion

Since the temperature started to get a little warmer, I was excited to get the lighter layers out…and mix and match patterns and textures. Putting outfits by mixing vintage and modern clothes give me such a satisfaction. I get super proud when someone compliments me on my pieces and I get to say “It’s vintage!”. For anyone who loves vintage as much as I do, you’ll understand that glistening feeling!!

So without further ado here’s a look into my week’s outfits.

OUTFIT #1 

IMG_4680
IMG_4676
What I wore: 
– Forest green “Miss Me” shirt.
– Danier leather pencil skirt.
-Le Château magenta heels.

OUTFIT #2

 

IMG_4722
IMG_4709
What I wore:
– Pink Tartan Coat.
– H&M white shirt.
– 80s pleated floral skit.
– Zara heels.

OUTFIT #3

IMG_4764
IMG_4734
What I wore:
– 90s Jacob red top.
– Zara madras printed culottes.
– 80s Jean Paul Fortin heels.

OUTFIT #4

IMG_4818
IMG_4802
What I wore:
– Vintage striped silk shirt.
– Zara black culottes.
– Adidas shoes.

 

Mixing the old with the new is just so me!! Makes me happy and that’s when I feel at my best ❤ What I love most about vintage is the fact that you can definitely have unique items and make them your own. Add you own touch and voila!!!

Let me know what item or outfit you own makes you feel at your best?