Bountiful Beauty: Bali

On a recent trip to Bali we were exposed to the most beautiful, sights, sounds and tastes of the enchanting East!

Immersing ourselves properly in Balinese culture we tried not to leave any stone unturned, which meant hours and hours traveling from coast to coast in cars and boats in search of beautiful white sand beaches.

One journey took us to the untouched beauty of Dreamland Beach. The place was magical, the water a mystical shade of blue, the way blue is supposed to be! Days came to an end watching sunsets, one of which was seen from the top of the Uluwatu Temple located on a cliff.

A boat ride took us to Gili Island, the most beautiful of remote little islands where the only mode of transport was horse and carriage or bicycles! Then you knew it was time for a meal of grilled seafood as the sea would creep in land and the scorching rays that leave your skin blisteringly warm and brown would set behind a mountain away from Gili.

Bali isn’t just sea and sand, Bali is the imposingly green mountains and rain forests of Ubud, which took us to the Comoshambala Estate. The grounds of Comoshambala were luscious shades of green, everything was green, from the natural spring water to the valley and mountains surrounding it. 

Bali is a magical place to say the least, not so much a place to be overdressed in appearance but in spirit. One's spirit becomes refreshed and renewed after seeing so much of such mystical beauty and charm.

Makasih Bali!!!

Motel Mexicola

While in Bali, we happened upon a beautiful Mexican restaurant, Motel Mexicola, in a state of hunger and anger (i.e. hanger, because hunger causes anger).

Our spirits were immediately lifted as we walked into this stunning place that was buzzing with life, lights, atmosphere, and eye wateringly gorgeous food! Walking past a shrine lit with candles, each candle dripping a mountain of wax on pictures of old souls, we were quickly seated on a bright yellow dinning table with a giant fan strategically placed above us for instant breeze.

Our eyes wandered our stomachs growled. Though Gabriela Bhaskar, talented fashion photographer, and I quickly forgot our hunger as our minds switched to the fact that this is a beautiful place for a photo shoot! Blue walls, harlequin patterns, tropical coloured fabrics, patterned tiles and most importantly a neon signs spelling out the words “Taqueria” Gabriela knew she had to take her camera out!

We let the men order the food while we quickly gulped our mega thirst busting baby coconuts while exploring the many patterns, colours and gory art.

Stomach now full of tasty coconut water, I quickly obliged to Gabriela’s orders, stand here, stand there, look away, look at me! Wearing all my recent Balinese purchases, a neon yellow skirt with botanical prints  from a charming shop and a turquoise necklace from the market in Seminyak Square, I was glad to be island overdressed at Motel Mexicola.

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Photographer: Gabriela Bhaskar

Location: Motel Mexicola, Bali

Overdressed in Lulwa Al Amin for D'NA Riyadh

We are enthralled and honored to collaborate with one of the most exclusive and high end boutiques of the Gulf, D'NA and the renowned Bahraini designer, Lulwa Al Amin.

Lulwa has created a capsule collection of kaftans exclusively for D'NA and we were invited to style and photograph the beautiful jalabiyas in an overdressed way with old Bahraini gold!

Here's a sneak peak of the collection to be launched at D'NA Riyadh on May 20 and D'NA Doha on May 27.

Katrantzou Kaleidoscope

Where does one start in the fabulous world of Mary Katrantzou? The art, the detail, the shape, or better yet, the sculpture of her garments, are all elements that make one sit down and pay attention. We have to go back in time just a little bit to understand why Katrantzou makes such fabulous prints and textiles. 

Katrantzou's father was a textile engineer meaning he converted fiber into yarn then to fabric, and then textile! Which is where Ms. Katrantzou comes into play full force with one of the most prominent elements of her clothing, the trompe l'oeil digital prints.

Armed with a degree in architecture from Central Saint Martins and a course in Master Fashion Textiles Katrantzou's got the winning streak in making mesmerising prints that one gravitates towards. Not only does she create fabulous digital prints of oversized jewels and interiors, Katrantzou can sculpt a dress into stunning shapes like this cap sleeved creation.

The thing with a Katrantzou creation is where ever you look and whatever you see there's always something new to discover which makes wearing a Katrantzou piece similar to looking into a kaleidoscope.

Sicily stole my heart

Giuseppe Verdi said "you may have the universe, if I may have Italy", we agree, take the universe, take it all, just give me Italia.

The love affair we have with Italy is unwavering, the moment you set foot out off the plane and you smell the pines, and the Mediterranean, you feel the sun against your skin and you hear the racket you know you have arrived in heaven!

So you can imagine the sheer delight we experienced in Sicily, it is everything Italy, but better. Goethe said "to have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything."

He could not have put it better...Sicily is spell binding, intoxicating, magical. Sicily's sights, sounds, smells and taste resonate so deeply she is the epitome of everything overdressed.

Photo Credit: Suliman Azzouni

Charles Oudin in Saudi Arabia

When done in a dainty, lady like, feminine, sophisticated way watches can be supremely overdressed!

Let Maison Charles Oudin, French watchmaker, founded in the 18th century show you just how it is done. After having dressed the wrists of the kings and queens of Europe, Charles Oudin was relaunched in 1998 by a chic Parisienne, Camille Berthet, as a maison of montres haute joaillerie, how very overdressed of them!

Oudin watches, notoriously adorned with pearls, diamonds and satin, are handmade in Paris. You don't need to wait for a trip to Place Vendome to ogle some magnificent watches, Claire and Carole (chic daughters of Camille) have come to you right here in the Middle East!

Claire and Carole will be exhibiting the collection of handmade Oudin watches at Jewellery Salon at Al Faisaliyah Hotel Riyadh on April 8,9 and 10 and later in Hilton Hotel Jeddah on April 15, 16 and 17.

Now we never leave Bahrain out of anything overdressed, Charles Oudin, is housed at the legendary Bahrain Jewellery Center.

UPDATE: CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHARLES OUDIN'S FACEBOOK PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Lulwa Al Amin's Bougainvilleas

The sight of a bougainvillea tree reminds us of beautiful islands, and splendid summer time bliss, where sun beams warm and tan your skin and the sea sparkles right in front of you. 

Ah, summer summer summer time...

Lulwa Al Amin obviously loves the beautiful bougainvillea just as much as we do! So much so that she has created a print of the vibrant plant for her spring summer collection. When we say "created a print" we really mean she made it. A graduate of textile design from London's Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, Lulwa prints magical patterns which she makes, on hand selected fabrics. 

The fuchsia, magenta and accents of blue pop against a nice golden tan so what better time to wear this top than after a day of sunning yourself at the beach?!
 
While we were lucky enough to be gifted this limited edition top from Lulwa's spring summer collection (shown here and here)  you can find Lulwa's spring summer 2013 collection at Labous Seef Mall, DNA Riyadh and S*uce Dubai Mall.

Thank you Lulwa!

Block 338's Public Art Exhibit: Alwan 338

Strolling the streets of Adliya's block 338 is always fun. There's a vibe in this quarter of Bahrain that makes you feel like you're a bohemian. Somewhat cobblestone streets and the air of art gives one the sense of being in the rive gauche, oh the rive gauche. Maybe not quiet that, but anyways, you get the point. Its a beautiful area of interconnected little streets and alleys where one can actually enjoy a sunny afternoon stroll while looking at art which is publicly displayed on walls, buildings, and even lamp posts! 

This particular public art venture, Alwan 338, was organised and executed by the amazing Al Riwaq Gallery. This is probably the most forward thinking gallery in Bahrain with an amazing selection of contemporary national and international artists. The fundamental thing about Al Riwaq is that they always involve the public in their art. Alwan 338 is an exhibit that will run for four weeks, so we took the opportunity to stroll the streets of Adliya and capture some artistic moments. 

Starting up we came across these flamboyant "Upside Down Men" by Bahraini artist Mohammed Sharkawy. 

This was a fun instillation, which may have gone by the name of "No strings attached". The instillation covered a large area in coloured rope! You couldnt help but feel like they were laser beams which had to be dodged!

This is a favorite, a piece by Brazilian photographer Angelica Dass called Humanae. The artist matches skin tones with Pantone shades, and we are obsessed with Pantone! As is evident we found our perfect Pantone match: Pantone 67-5C no?

This piece by Spanish artist Mercedes Gonzales deGaray is spot on. Let's not deny the fact that this is exactly how we as Arabs are perceived, chilling like a villain!

If you're in Bahrain, dont miss this, and if you're not you should be here, because Alwan 338 a must! We are definitely going back to re-visit, The Lab-Bahrain instillation.

Style.com Arabia

We are so honoured to be selected by Style.com Arabia as one of the 15 fashion instagram accounts to follow in the Middle East, thank you!

Follow us on Instagram @theoverdressed

Short & Sweet with Destination Jeddah

It's such an honour to be interviewed by Nour Kelani of Nouricreations for Destination Jeddah's Short & Sweet segment.

Here's a snap shot of the article, can't wait to get our hands on the magazine!

She does not cease to amaze: Sofia Al Asfoor

Last May we featured Bahraini hand bag designer, Sofia Al Asfoor for the very first time right here on The Overdressed. Since last year Sofia has been busy creating, making and nurturing her love of luxury, consequently launching a one of a kind stunning Exotic Shield hand bag in charcoal ostrich skin along with a matching wallet complete with its own set of pyramids! 

The Exotic Shield, is a masterpiece that will distinguish the beholder timelessly, specifically the one featured below. It is one of one, meaning for those of you who revel at the thought of exclusivity, you will be the only one with this bag and wallet in the whole universe! The wallet is hand crafted to perfection, and because Sofia is all about practicality this wallet has all the right components for it to be "the very luxurious practical thing that goes everywhere with you." 

Exotic Shield handbag and wallet in charcoal ostrich skin are currently sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue Bahrain.

Also available at Saks Fifth Avenue Bahrain are three stunning Classic Shield handbags in Sofia's signature blue, along with a newly developed forest green shade.

We have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of one of the most talked about elements of Sofia's bag, the pyramid. Last time we spoke she was in the process of creating a pyramid clutch! It sounded so otherworldly but it’s really something and now it's finally here: the Cluster Shield. This clutch is magnificent, really and truly. But don't rush out to get it just yet, as it will be launching later this summer.

The Borla is another handbag that will also launch later in the year, its size is perfect for the 20something girl on the run! The cherry colour makes it bold and unwavering, whoever said we need not be? That's what the Borla is all about, steadfastly cool!

When we said Sofia has been busy creating we really mean she's been busy, not just making handbags, but accessories too! Cardholders, wallets, key chains and iPad cases, all with pyramids so everyone can get a piece of the Sofia Al Asfoor pie.

If this is everything Sofia has created in the short span of one year, we certainly were right in saying she's here to climb up the handbag world one pyramid at a time! Well done, you make Bahrain proud!

Savoir Flair's 7 Days of Chic

It is such an honour to be featured in Savoir Flair's 7 Days of Chic segment,  I was absolutely flattered by the words of Grace Gordon: "It takes a lot of courage to pronounce your style and brand your blog as The Overdressed, but Dana Al Khalifa’s admirable derring-do will win you over. Her bold sartorial choices and stellar sense of “what’s next” in fashion have gained Al Khalifa an international following. In this installment of 7 Days of Chic, we chronicle a week of looks from one of the chicest bloggers on the current fashion scene, from casual ensembles to more high-fashion fare."

To see the all 7 looks visit Savoir Flair, meanwhile I have highlighted three of my favorites right here!

This is a Lulwa Al Amin spring summer 2013 look which is worn with a Theysken's Theory mermaid cardigan, and blue suede Louboutins, enormous and painful rose Prada earrings and my beloved Chanel bag which I do not use because I love it too much (is there such a thing?)!

Next up is a look featuring an Erdem resort collection top and a Threads by Razan Al Azzouni skirt and what I like to call my Cinderella glass (Valentino) slippers. This may be one of my favorite skirts because it moves, dances and shines, it's everything overdressed!

Finally, a look I've previously featured on Instagram here is a closer look of a cream cocktail Marc Jacobs dress picked out for me by my mother in law, worn with my Charlotte Olympia obsessions, and Hervé Van Der Straeten earrings.