RED CARPET

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2024: LADY GAGA STUNS IN DIOR, NICOLE KIDMAN SHINES IN SCHIAPARELLI, AND NATALIE SPIVAK TURNS HEADS IN QUEENISSIMA

The 2024 Venice Film Festival brought high fashion to its red carpets, with celebrities showcasing a mix of avant-garde designs and timeless elegance.

HAUTE COUTURE

The Fairytale Secret Garden by Angelo Estera

Tucked amidst the desert of Dubai is a fairytale paradise of blooms and cascading floral bouquet with rich fragrance  and dreams are alive.

The 2021 Spring/Summer Couture Collection for Angelo Estera shot on location: Saya Cafe, City Walk, Dubai

Couture Collection S/S2021

Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera

Model: Natalie Spivak @queenissima

Production assistant: Mansour Fernandez

Makeup: Shifa @makeoverbyshifa

Hair: Moona Sultan @moona.sultan

Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler

Retoucher: Atabak Sepehr @atabaksepehr

Venue: Saya Cafe, City Walk, Dubai, UAE @sayacafe.ae

PR: TOP PR Agency @toppragency 

Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler

runway

NYFW: fashion advices from Connie Diforo, brand Mesese

I am a self taught designer based in Boston. I learned to sew using my grandmother’s Singer sewing machine in my home country Botswana. I was raised in a family where every Sunday we get dolled up and head to church. Grandma used to make our dresses or alter using her manual Singer sewing machine.

After moving to the United States in the early 90s I decided to continue the tradition but expanded it. I worked for Lord and Taylor in Boston in the petite section. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was fascinated by so many styles, trend. I often looked at an outfit and always wanted to change or add something to it. I knew then that I needed to make clothes. And brand Mesese was born.

My designs are greatly inspired by my traditional life back in my home country, Botswana. I love to blend German print fabrics with modern ideas when creating my  functional pieces. Our designs, have been featured in many fashion shows including Fashionably Late at the Liberty Hotel, Boston, Excessive Fashion, Boston Fashion Week and NY fashion week for EPN magazine. I also host Fashion TV in Boston for BNN. 

Photo: Hideki Aono

Designer: Connie Diforo, brand Mesese

Model: Queenissima

Retoucher: Elena Sidak

Makeup stylist: Fen Lin

Hair stylist: Cici Chang 

What I’ve learned is that for the brand to grow, there has to be constant consistency and collaboration. Collaboration must happen because one can not do everything alone. The biggest mistake I made when I started the business was carrying the load alone. I believe that as long as you’re in the business, learning never stops. It takes a lot of courage; confident and determination to sustain and grow a brand. What also helps now is living in digital era where we have so many platforms that allow us to showcase our talents or address our clients.

Photo: Hideki Aono

My fashion advice: It is very easy to be fashionable; just be prepared and be consistent. Stay fabulous at all times. Look for inspiration- this makes it very easy. Aim to look chic all the time. Do not forget to accessorize. And always keep the occasion in mind.

“Aim to look chic all the time. Do not forget to accessorize. And always keep the occasion in mind.”

runway

NYFW: winter fashion trends by Foreign Labur

I am a urban abstract fashion designer born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn. My twin and I entered the world on November 3rd 1983. Growing up in a full household, of six kids, enforced in me the importance of family and community. As a child, I stayed out of trouble and engaged in activities such as dance & art; drawing and painting. I gained my creative inspiration from anime and the things I observed in my everyday life. Although I always had a unique sense of style I struggled to find a variety of fashion in the stores in my community. This pushed me to create my own clothing line in 2012, Foreign Labur.  

Photo: Ken Grille Fashion Photography, Sid S

Designer: Foreign Labur

Retoucher: Sid S

Model: Natalie Spivak

MUA: Sharri Bonner

Hair Stylist: Jalyn Aryn Averitte

Foreign Labur gives an upbeat, innovative twist on today’s street wear fashion. I incorporate multicultural designs into the clothes to represent the many cultures that make up our country. America was built on the backs of foreigners. In naming the clothing line Foreign Labur, I give tribute and thanks to these foreigners. In December 2018, Foreign Labur collaborated with KoolKat on the Fashion Forward Fashion Show. This brought the brand to the next level and put Foreign Labur on the map. I later went on in December 2019, to host Foreign Labur’s debute solo fashion show. The success of this show increased the brands social media audience to more than 7000 followers. Some celebrities seen wearing Foreign Labur include Young Thug, Iman Shumpert, Yandy Smith and Reggae Artists like Ding Dong and Elephant Man. Designs have also been featured in Irie Jam 2014, New York Fashion Week Plitz 2017, and New York Fashion Week 2019 & 2020.

In March when New York City shut down everyone felt the effects of COVID-19, but communities like Brooklyn were hit the hardest by the virus. Families all throughout Brooklyn lost loved ones to the virus. So in light of COVID-19, Foreign Labur has donated masks to the community.

Photo: Ken Grille Fashion Photography

Stay tuned for new styles and fashion, Your Foreign Labur