ILHAM'S INSPIRATION: January 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

About Dubai

Greetings from Dubai!

I have received Questions from bloggers and visitors about Dubai rates, products and venues to visit.

I can only assist you with the rates of our company portal www.elilhaam.com Which carries branded products.

For Precious Commodities I would advice to visit

http://www.goldprice.org/dubai-gold-price.html

Dubai Gold Rates are provided by the Dubai Gold & Commodity Exchange - DGCX

For Tourism & Hotels

Official site of Dubai Tourism www.dubaitourism.ae

I hope this helps.

Ilham

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Welcome Louis Mariette to El Ilhaam Family

I’m very pleased to welcome Louis Mariette to El Ilhaam Family. The London based Bespoke couture headwear designer creations are always handpicked by the global community of independent trendsetters, celebs and stylists. You can view his collections at El Ilhaam.com http://bit.ly/elilhaam53

and El Ilhaam facebook fan page http://on.fb.me/elilhaam

Source: Louis Mariette

Images are not to be downloaded, reproduced, or used/modified in any way without the express written consent of Ilham Abbas / Ilhaam Group. Articles, text, or design of this web site is not to be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of Ilham Abbas / Ilhaam Group.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Art The Silent Speaker

As I stated on twitter I love to visit DIFC from time to time making a point to meet my friends and going a bit earlier to discover some of the Nouveau Object d’art displayed in the galleries. Well, look what I discovered yesterday; the "Flying King" from Pierre Matter’s sculptures at Opera Gallery. A phenomenal concept based on the view that men evolved into partly mechanical beings! So true, so beautiful and maybe for some a painful reality.

The Flying King, Source: Opera Gallery Dubai

If you are in Dubai and passing by DIFC, you can glance Pierre Matter's sculpture at the Entrance of the Gate Village photographed below. Another one of his extraordinary Sculptures "Hommage A Barcelona" standing proud at the entrance.

After leaving the Opera Gallery, I glanced at a small rusty car parked outside the next door gallery, walking towards it I noticed the details of a car piled with personal belongings!!! Such a Piece of art caught my eyes not for its beauty but for the underlying message it communicated. Aymaan Baalbaki's work “Destination X” from The Farjam Collection, is a strong message that communicates suffering of a nation! the Lebanese artist draws his inspiration from his early years being a refugee although the art work has humor but the underlying message of misery is exceptionally evident.

Truly such visits always sparks fresh perspectives and clearly art is a silent speaker.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The World Of Trend Forecasting

There is no guessing that goes into the fashion world. It's not like the trends that you find in the stores today happened because someone just guessed what they would be. In fact, there is more research and hard work that goes into those trends then the average person could imagine. There are people in office buildings who are spending late nights trying to figure out the next thing, you, the consumer, is going to buy. While you may be shocked to learn that you follow a pattern when it comes to what kind of clothing you buy, well, if you really think about it it's absolutely true. Not only are you influenced by what kind of fashion you see in the media, you are also influenced by the fashion that you see on the street. That is what Trend Forecasting is all about.

Trend Forecasting is not a new thing, it's been around for as long as there has been fashion. While it's kind of a scientific, creativity & good observation process, it's also something that is best handled by an specialist. In a way, Trend Forecasting is all about looking one step ahead of the current fashion climate. Anyone can look on the street and notice the kind of fashion's that people are wearing. What a trend forecaster is in charge of doing is figuring out what people are going to be wearing next year or two. While that may sound risky, well, it is. That's why these people get paid a pretty penny for their insight; and why they can lose their jobs easily if they don't forecast correctly.

So how do you do the right kind of Trend Forecasting?

It's all about studying the pulse of the fashion world. Trend forecasting is for those who want to create original designs and not copies of the A list brand’s collection straight from the catwalk a season earlier. Those who want to study trends should start by communicating with textile designers since they create colors and yarns two year in advance and display them at exhibitions. You have to look at real world factors like how much consumers are willing to spend on an outfit. The country mood, what themes can be generated If the economy's down or the average person is spending less on clothing. Forecasters know the up's and down's of the fashion world better than anyone else, yet, as with any job in this realm, it is at the end of the day a well educated guess.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Fashion Has Always Been A Big Deal Throughout History!

Fashion plays an important role in the society that we live in today. Not only do we like the way certain fashion looks, but it also plays a key role in the age old idea of projecting which class we live in. Oh sure, we don't like to think about it that way, but when it comes down to it we traditionally wear clothing that shows off our class. Now, in today's society there are some exceptions (big exceptions in some cases), But as a rule of thumb status do exist.

While you ask yourself why are we influenced this way! Well, If you look back at major ancient societies throughout time like the Roman Empire and the Egyptians, you realize that those who were in the "upper echelon" of society would dress differently then the "commoners". The Egyptian clothing of the royal family and those who worked and lived in the palace where much different those of the people who worked and toiled in the streets. Everything from the fine silks used for the royals robe, to the crowns that the pharaohs and other nobility wore, you knew who was a have, and who were the have nots in society. During the Roman era reddish-purple band on the lower edge of the toga (a one-piece garment that draped freely around the shoulders and down the body ) was worn by magistrates and high priests as an indication of their status. The white toga was worn by political candidates. The toga pulla was dark-colored and worn for mourning, while the purple toga was worn in times of triumph and by the Roman emperor.

The same went for the Fashion that we saw on the European continent. Whether it's the fine robes that the rich wore during the Roman empires, or the fine suits and dresses that were worn during the centuries of Royal rule in England, France and other kingdoms, you could see a definite class difference on how people dressed. For this reason, fashion has always been a big deal throughout history. Only now has the idea of "dressing down" become popular in the fashion world. One hundred years ago the idea of dressing the same that the "lower classes" did would be unthinkable. The fashion tradition remains customary today, although in a modern way under the name “Luxury”!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Three Useful Tips When Leading A Small Business

There is no manual out there for how to be a leader. It's not like you can sit down one day, read a 30 page book, and go to work the next day as a natural born leader. The thing is, though, as cheesy as it may sound, the ability to lead is in all of us. Sure, we all may not have the same types of leadership skills, but we have some leadership skills woven into our DNA. Maybe you are better at being the kind of leader that uses positive reinforcement to get the job done. Maybe you are the kind of leader that is stern yet fair, which gains their respect. Or maybe you like to combine different methods in order to get the job done. Whatever the way you do it, you can take the reign and lead your staff even if you open up your own small business.

So what is the best way to show leadership when you are in charge of a small business? The key is to just be yourself. The worst thing you can do when it comes to your employees is to try and be someone that you are not. Trust this, they will see through your facade quite quickly. Not only does doing that mean that people won't trust you, it also means that they won't follow anything that you say. Leadership, ultimately, comes from trust and respect. If you are one of those people who love to rule with an iron fist, be sure that you are at least honest with it at all times.

When you are running a small business, one of the most important things you can do is to show leadership by example. If your employees see you working hard they will follow your example. If the employees see that cost reduction is not a word in your dictionary then get ready for a high cost billings. If you are investing in a new division/business that gives you zero income at the end of the year yet you are bearing the cost then you’re not a wise but an emotional leader. With that said, you need to treat them well. Your employees are there to help your business, treat them professionally at all times and don't be afraid to reward them when they do something right and show the yellow card when not.

So there you go: be yourself, be professional, and, no matter how you do it, be realistic. When you run a small business you need to make sure that your leadership skills help the business, not hurt it.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Piece of Advice by Sheikha Jassim

Many heard couple of days ago about Sheikha Jassim Al Suwaidi the 1st Emirati Lady Photographer, exhibiting her work at DIFC where she displayed pictures dating back from the 40s and 50s in Dubai.

But not many knew that I grew up in a family who’s into arts and had Khalo Sheikha; (that’s how I Call her) as a very close family friend.

So I surprised Khalo Sheikha (Khalo means Aunty in Arabic/local dialect) with a visit and she was so excited to see us! well, I will leave you with this beautiful picture taken at her daughters home in Dubai.

Before leaving she gave me a piece of advice; “instead of throwing away cartons and boxes think again! You want to see what a cardboard can transforms into?” I leave you with following pictures:

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Photoshoot of the upcoming Marie Claire Interview

Done with my Interview and the photoshoot! Love the outcome :)

A big Thank you to Marie Claire, styling, & photography team for doing such an incredible job!

Ilham Abbas Presenting El Ilhaam.com

Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Cost of Protections in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry continues to explode on a global basis. With markets opening up in every corner, those who design and produce the fashions that mark the very trends of history, are facing serious concern regarding theft of these designs. When designers were constricted to producing fashions in a single country, it was easy to abide by and enforce Intellectual property trademark fashion laws. Now that the world has opened its arms to international trade the idea of infringement has become a much more serious discussion, one that has moved to the forefront of industry professionals minds.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) are most affected by the discussion because the protection of intellectual property trademark fashion can become a very costly side of the business. Having to weigh the cost versus risk of having ones ideas and designs stolen and mass produced becomes a very easy decision once it happens. The first time a design is stolen and mass produced on the cheap, anyone would be on board with the idea of tougher and easier to implement protections regardless of the costs. While costs may be high, the protections are extremely important for the industry to survive.

Intellectual property trademark fashion protections come in the form of copyright, trademark, and trade secret patents and filings. The costs are, at times, considered prohibitive and may be designed for the larger industry players, thus making it more difficult for the smaller and medium sized textile and clothing enterprises to compete. Margins may have to be higher simply because volume just isn't there to cover the expense. Unfortunately, this may price out the smaller houses from competition in certain markets. Trends to move manufacturing overseas (regardless of the country of origin) is often a result of such cost structures.

When it comes down to it, intellectual property trademark fashion protections are absolutely needed regardless of the cost. Preventing theft in the fashion world will allow the creative process to flow unimpeded. It is important, though, to remember that the high costs of filing for these protections can be prohibitive. For the small and medium industry players, these costs can stifle creativity as much as theft.

Pop Art of 50s & 60s Come alive with Massimo Trulli's creations

I’m so glad and happy to welcome a new member to El Ilhaam Family, please join me to welcome Massimo Trulli, a true visionary, artist, & designer of the brand MASSIMO TRULLI.

MASSIMO TRULLI consistently created in thirty-years the most creative handmade artistic bags and leather goods under the brand name.

The philosophy of the brand is based on marriage between art and fashion, exclusivity, quality, originality and beauty of his creations, thus offering its customers something unique and irresistible.

What we are introducing this season is “The Bag Art”, made by hand from the works of art (style POP ART) inspired by the mythical years' 50 and'60 and its division and the characters, enhancing the image (often in a comic) of fashion, advertising, cinema and lifestyle of that era.

Bag Lady Limited Edition to 999 pieces worldwide.

The Collection offers exclusive research, strictly "Made in Italy" highly distinctive and original limited edition to 999 pieces worldwide.

Each piece is Certificate, numbered and signed by the artist in a way as to prevent reproduction.

For more details of each product you can find it on http://www.elilhaam.com/