Saks Fifth Ave.-Dubai Fall 2011 Show

I have no idea what was I doing here because:
1. I'm not a Dubai socialite and never will be
2. I'm not a huge Saks customer(only God knows what was that thing I bought from the store)

...but if there were some things I learned in life, these would be
1. It's nice to have a blog, even how nonsense it is
2. It pays to be chatty on a Facebook page

These were my tickets to the show.

I received an email from Yasmeen(Saks' Senior Marketing Manager) inviting me to attend  but this time as guest and not a dresser like last season. And why not? I thought it's about time to see people in good clothes again other than children's teeth at work.lol. The invite came with a plus one so I had my friend Amir(fellow contestant to the Saks Styling Competition last February) to come along with me.The show was held in Asateer Tent, The Palm beside Atlantis on October 6. It was a night filled with the blinding glitters of Dolce & Gabbana.

Problem No. 1. What should I wear?
Events like these could only mean one thing-- everyone will be all dressed up like celebrities. But I'm not so why try to be one? Instead, I just used whatever it is in my closet that would speak of my personal style, hence, the Belgians(some). I know it doesn't come with a "Like" button, but I like it. Now, where is my burial? hahaha.

white shirt:         Alexander McQueen(eww, I wore this last time too,lol)
white shirt:          Ann Demeulemeester
pants:     Zara
sandals:     Kris Van Assche
rose necklace:   Maison Martin Margiela( yeah, it is and not something stolen from the lobby,hahaha)
"bag":  the accessory box of the necklace that came with it

Funny stories about the rose. People in the metro(yes, I was wearing this in the metro) do not want to sit beside me. 2 ladies changed their seats. Maybe they were thinking I was crazy and would start pulling their hair off and turn it into a necklace.lol. No, I have Ann Demeulemeester to do that. I was also asking these 2 guys in the reception if I can go inside before everyone else comes in to cover  the place in its empty state but their eyes were glued to the rose. I'm not Mr. Crazy Mc Cray.haha

So anyway, I was there an hour early to take snapshots of the set.  Those 2 guys told me to talk to the lady who is in charge of the guest in media and she gave me this ID that says blogger. I was laughing inside me, not that it was not true, but there was this feeling that "Oh, having a blog matters". That, suddenly my blog is getting me an early access to the show.Surreal.hehe. Next time(if there is), I'd say I'm from Vogue.lol.

here are some few pictures of the place. sorry for the bad photos. my Samsung camera plus low lighting = photography in its worst case.

The reception

I asked Yasmeen if I could go backstage and have a look at the clothes. She said yes but did not spend a lot of time there, although I would have loved to take a much closer look to the clothes they'll be using. The dressing rooms were very dark and people were looking at me like I killed somebody or something and I even heard one male model said   "There is one guy inside taking pictures of the clothes". LOL. Right then and there I  rushed out.
this was the make-up "room".

Basically everything you see with sequins are by Dolce & Gabbana.

The dress with embroidery on I think was by Manish Arora.

and the Little Drummer Boy Alexander McQueen jacket. I'm so drooling over this.Oh God, why can't I afford this?

Pre-show. Guests start to fill  the room.

 I hate that I can not give you  nice runway pictures. The show opened in a red Michael Kors gown followed by some Erdems, Nina Riccis, DVFs and a chokeful of Dolces. For men, most were from Dior Homme and Dolce & Gabbana and some pieces by Dsquared, Viktor & Rolf, and Alexander McQueen.




I  love the pieces by Erdem. I can remember I described these previously as Monet's painting gone mad painted black. My favorite look that night was that tiered Nina Ricci gown. I'm so into Peter Copping's work these days and he is sure one of those new designers that can actually make clothes with a very sharp direction.



There were so many Dolce looks that night that one more sequined dress would blind me already,lol. They also pushed the Miss Sicily handbags to a lot of looks. I did not know they come in red and white python and yeah, sequins.


I expected looks from their newly opened Prada and Miu Miu stores but looking at the crowd that as if there were a prize for "whoever wears the shortest dress" or " whoever bares their shoulder the most"(lol), I don't think they would appreciate much those Miu Miu bold shoulder dresses and Prada's trompe l'oeil boots against their Louboutin's.

There was an after party in Atlantis but it was a "no-open-shoe allowed". That guy in the reception told me to buy a new pair in stores. That was easily said and done if I have millions, so I left and took some shots of the aquarium instead.

the hotel's centerpiece.

After the lengths that I have been through just to attend a 20-minute show, all in all it was a very fun night.
Thank you Saks.:)