TEEN VOGUE!

Hey everyone!
It's been a while (per usual)! Since we've last spoken, I have returned to the beautiful offices of Teen Vogue magazine, this time for an intership in the web department! It has been such an amazing experience so far and I'm really enjoying having physical proof that the work I'm doing is meaningful!

SOOO

Here is my first post for TeenVogue.com! Check out the link below and let me know what you think!

http://www.teenvogue.com/style/blogs/fashion/2010/09/leighton-meester-and-kelly-osbournes-belly-baring-battle.html#comments

ringing out,
Donia.

Feet.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I dislike feet. Though they are incredibly useful (duh!), something about the way they are shaped and the various ailments that can fall upon them repulse me.However, they do serve as a mold to fill the beautiful creations that are SHOES. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Since being in Egypt, I have come to realize the incredible power of shoes. Not only do they serve as a protective barrier between your feet and the crazy things that surround them, but they serve as an indication of place in society.

The other day, I was parading around my house in my 6 inch platforms (naturally) when my uncle stopped me and jokingly said "what are you doing?! you look like a street girl!" (chuckles). Now before I go any further let me just say that my uncle is probably one of the most liberal people I know (by Middle Eastern standards at least) and so this isn't just a conservative person ranting away.

After my conversation with him, it occurred to me that these black suede entities on my feet could potentially ruin someone's reputation if/when worn in public.

In the States/the West in general, being tall is associated with grandeur, beauty, and wealth. Of course, this originates partially from the media's portrayal of beauty in the form of 6 foot tall models in awe-inspired heels. Therefore, when you see a woman walking down Fifth Avenue in sky-high heels with a trendy outfit on, your mind immediately jumps to that photo of Adriana Lima walking down the runway that you saw in VOGUE a few months ago.

Givenchy.

However, in the Middle East, there comes a lot more baggage with high heels. In a culture somewhat obsessed with marriage and securing a good future for their daughters, high heels are sometimes a curse. A girl who is tall by nature runs the risk of not finding a partner who is taller than her (something that has been embedded in the minds of the people by culture). Moreover, one has to consider that sexuality is suppressed a lot more here than it is in the West. Girls wearing high heels are often associated with call-girls. I'm sure some of you will say "D, its totally the same in the West. If you saw a girl dressed kinda skanky with 6 inch heels you would think she was a prostitute too." You're absolutely right. What I'm saying is that the generalization of being a 'call-girl' here is a lot more serious than it is in the West.

I've been thinking about how to put this for a few days now, in fear that I may hurt someones feelings/get angry responses about my portrayal of the Eastern world. I am by no means in objection of either side, I am just commenting on what I see.

Let me know what you guys think/ if you have any questions.

ringing out,

D.

G'Day

My ability to continuously write on this blog has progressively dwindled since the start of the new year. For this, I apologize.

I'm on vacation in Egypt for the rest of the summer. This means limited internet access (sometimes) and days without sleep. I see this as an opportunity to do something different. something interesting.
Why do I focus on Western style when the world is full of so many beautiful and interesting patterns and colors?
The initiation of this question has started a crazy mini revolution in my mind and will thus change the way that I bring you whatever it is I'm bringing you (to this day, I'm still not 100% sure). You will hopefully be seeing a bit more of an intellectual take on fashion.
A philosophy of fashion, if you will.

So stay tuned avid readers, I hope none of you have given up on this endeavour.

ringing out,
D.

Color.

I went to Bloomingdales the other day to buy the new Chanel Nouvelle Vague($23) nail polish and my dreams were crushed when they told me that both branches in the city were sold out.
crushed.
Thankfully, I called up the Chanel boutique down in SoHo and rushed downtown upon hearing that they had my goods.
My nails are now Frenchly turquoise

To add to my color trip, I then headed to my local Duane Reade where I picked up a bottle of Essie's Chinchilly ($8). This color is the perfect mix between mud brown and murky grey, a must have neutral for color-popping spring outfits.

ringing out,
D.

Vintage Craze

Credit: style.com

Bliss

One of my favorite editorial shots. ever.
Pick up a copy of Glamour June 2010 to view the entire spread.

Roar Lion Roar

I remember dedicating part of the blog to Columbia sightings and I have two new updates (that have been sitting in the memory of my blackberry for over a month).

The first, is the creation of an incredibly talented girl by the name of Jenn Leyva, a sophomore here at the college whose creations dazzled me at a ever so stylin' birthday party. She was wearing a beautiful metallic skirt with a matching hair accessory so I asked her where she got them and she proceeded to tell me about how she had made them herself!! CRAZINESSSS!!! Here is a picture of the metallic hair piece.

I don't think this will be the last time you'll be hearing of this lovely lady on my blog. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for her.

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Our second perpetrator is my friend Anne Louise (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) who had some super cool rings that I couldn't resist staring at throughout the duration of our Tuesday brunch. I'm really into protruding rings that make a statement and the silver one is definitely such a ring. Accessories make everything better *sigh*

ringing out,

Donia