How do you solve a problem like Dior, Raf Simons?

When news early this year about John Galliano losing the top Dior job and his namesake line spread there was only one thing the fashionistas the world over could think of: Who will replace him? Not going to be an easy one. Names appeared, and Riccardo Tisci and Marc Jacobs were on the front line; later, new players such as Jason Wu, and Alexander Wang. And perhaps the biggest news in fashion this year is Raf Simons rumored appointment for the house.

There is no doubt Riccardo Tisci is THE man for the job. His collections for Givenchy-- his couture collections for Givenchy now set standards for what craftmanship defines. But problem no. 1: he now "owns" the label, much like Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton, that leaving a house you built with very shaky beginnings and later succeeded would be a crazy move; and starting all over again with the presss' watchful eye could mean pressure. And second, I don't think LVMH is going to make these 2 labels end up on loose soil as they have become its milking cows. Loosing one of them for either labels would result in a 2 new collections starting that will certainly end up in a comparison wall, that, it is much easier to focus this LVMH predicament to the house of Dior alone.

Of all houses, with its creative director leaving, only Dior failed to pass the torch correctly to the assistants. Gucci, YSL, Valentino, Maison Martin Margiela, Alexander McQueen, and now Balmain were able to. Bill Gayten, John's right arm and considered the interim designer for Dior could not present a collection worthy enough for such a prestigious brand. That said, Jason Wu and Alexander Wang's lack of experience and the fact they make very commercial collections in New York, a massive post like this one would drown both in John's shadows.

And now Raf Simons, the Belgian minimalist whose career started in menswear and later carried Jil Sander is the most unlikely person for the job. Famous for his impeccable tailoring, how would he trim layers and layers of chiffon gowns? How would he add drama to an A-line skirt, the t-shirt? How well could he clean and make the megabrand his own without living in Galliano's trails? There is no denying Raf is a pure genius, a designer overshadowed by his extremely overrated popular colleagues; and if he makes this right, and if that first collection fits,no doubt he will forever change this game.

Walk For Life 2011, Yas Marina Circuit

I have never thought this event was so much fun until we were there actually walking together with thousands in white t-shirts and caps all in support to fight diabetes. What in the world is so much fun about walking 5 kilometers just to fight diabetes? That disease almost tortured me all the way in college as endless exams and quizzes were all about them, nonetheless, it was the "where" that made it drew the crowd, or at least us.hahaha. I have been longing to get inside the Yas Marina Circuit but being poor doesn't really take you there and watch the F1.LOL. and another proof of being poor was we took the free Ikea shuttle to and fro Yas. hahaha. So I don't think it was a 5 km walk for us but in fact, doubled.


I don't know how many people attended but there  was a lot and the whole circuit was almost whitewashed by people wearing those shirts. So just prove that I was there and completed the whole walk, I will post pictures of me and my friend on different parts of the arena.

It was a day full of fun indeed.:)

a 10 dirham fee is all you need to get in, how cheap isn't it, and you get to go home with a t-shirt and cap and a lot of memories.

Small tshirts are either out or in limited quantities. I think they were expecting a lot of Big people to come and not the 100 pounders like myself.hahaha.

 Let us start with the outfit. Exactly, what was I thinking wearing these in a walking event? .hehe

Sunnies:    Raf Simons x Linda Farrow
Shirt:        Kris van Assche
Shorts:      Mango
Sandals:     Kris van Ascche
Bracelets:    Maison Martin Margiela
Pouch:        Eastpak x Kris van Assche

and yes, these sandals are made for walking.LOL

there also was a lot of games that certainly made the kids enjoyed.

Daman gave BMI calculators and as expected, I'm underweight....and I attended a 5 km walk? Unbelievable.hahaha.

Inside the circuit. AMAZING place.

People doing warm ups.

the start. GO

The sea of people.

Taking as much photos as we can.:) I love the greenery.

The 1km sign

I love this place especially during sunset. Purple colored sky and the lights.Fantastic

The Yas Viceroy

free water all through out.

the end and I didn't even break a sweat. It was very cold that night.

certificates were handed over. The event was sponsored by Daman and Imperial College London Diabetes Center. I'm so looking forward next year for another round.:)

 :)

H&M x Versace: The Aftermath

I went to Dubai today to check what's left of the collection. I was a bit surprised they stocked menswear but I don't think they sold a single piece or at least, the hot pink suit. What were they thinking? Not even the queerest gay would wear that.LOL., because:

1. it's hot pink

2. it's a suit

3. THIS IS DUBAI

This shot was taken at H & M Mall of the Emirates, but same goes in Dubai Mall. Womenswear collection is almost sold out, but the men's rack is still full of those. Even the studded shorts, and leather pants and jackets(which is, by the way at 1500 AED, still very expensive) are still choking the store. Well who knows. I have read from a blog that in Paris the suits were gone in a minute. I was eyeing on the coat with leather sleeves, I think that is the best piece for men but where am I going to wear it? And oh, the sequined shirts? Forget it..LOL.

Yasalam F1 Fanzone, Bu Tinah Dome, Abu Dhabi Corniche

What a good time to stroll around Corniche than this month when the whole stretch is filled with exciting events week per week with the arrival of F1 and the Abu Dhabi Science Festival. Add to that, the cool winter breeze means you don't have to run to the next airconditioned cafe to dry yourself off from humidity.hehe.

I had the pictures in 3 outings along Corniche. Some of them were taken last February and I was just too lazy to blog about it, but I think this is the right moment for it to be "published".

So, Corniche is a long strip of beach in Abu Dhabi famous for its, what, beach?hahaha, but the place could also be transformed to an event arena that certainly becomes a tourist magnet. Months ago, the Bu Tinah voting dome was constructed. This November it will be busy with the F1 race, and on the third week, it will host Abu Dhabi Science Festival.

It must be difficult riding a bike wearing a kandoora, right?lol

This is the Bu Tinah dome. Bu Tinah is the UAE'S entry to the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Sadly, results were in yesterday and it lost. I was actually expecting this to win as this was so well promoted in the UAE and was backed up by the government to boost tourism. I want to see the pink flamingos though.hehe.
 But I'm happy our country's pride, the Palawan Underground River in the Philippines made it on the list.:)

The event of the moment- The Yasalam F1 Fanzone. I'm not a fan of fast cars and  really don't understand how people are lured into it or maybe because I don't own one or worst, I don't know how to drive,LOL. I think I can do much everything like fly a helicopter, build myself a building on my own, or hijack a plane but I don't think I can do parallel parking.hahaha.

This is a very family friendly place with all its exciting games and features. You can also watch the F1 race as it happens live in Yas Marina Circuit in a big LCD screen. Sorry for the bad photos, no, very bad photos.:)

This car rotates 360 degrees. I don't know if every "ride" or games here are for free but one thing for sure is the long queue.

These are the simulators. 5 or 6 people sit and race themselves off in a computer.

A sand carver.

this screen shows the live race.

this had the longest queue that night. I think people were also racing virtually.

this is cute, no, not him.LOL. there were small cars on the race track that this 5 people or children were trying move.

One of those photo "booths".

X box inside.

 So at least they have this accident-wrecked car  and a pledge booth for safe driving(ironically in an event where speeding up is the key to winning,hahaha)

well, yes, I did not pledge. I can't drive so it makes sense.

Souvenir shop

and so we went hungry and headed to this place called Shish Shawerma across the zone at the back of NBAD. I t was the best 10 Dirham shawarma ever without the risk of getting food poisoned,hahaha.

Straight ahead is the Beats on the Beach. I did not know Jay Sean was performing that night and I don't want to get my sandals filled with sand so we left.

It is actually more fun to hear people sing out of tune in the Du karaoke stage. There was this one lady who sung Bruno Mars' Grenade like it was a poetry night.LOL.

The concert stage. Problem? Sand and my sandals do not go together.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority(?) or The Ribbon.

and oh, stray cats in Abu Dhabi, so unlikely.hahaha. Wait, is that cat headless? creepyyyyy.LOL

I'am, after all a fashion blog.

t-shirt:      Ann Demeulemeester
pants:    Zara
scarves(worn on the hips):      John Varvatos
bracelet:    Maison Martin Margiela
sandals: Kris van Assche

 :)