PRECIOUS FINDINGS
If you’re looking to get a dose of “old Kuwait” with a side of fresh fish, make sure to get dinner at Muhallab Restaurant in the Palms Hotel. The restaurant is furnished in dark wood with its servers dressed in traditional uniforms and old sea music playing on loopover the speakers. It’s a completely different experience than so many of the upscale, contemporary restaurants in the city- more history than glitzy - and a nice change of pace.
Safi Rabah is one of the incredibly talented designers behind the Juliette N. White label and got his start in the Kuwait fashion industry in 2008, when he relocated there from Tunisia after graduating with a degree in fashion marketing management. He’d just gotten the chance to work with an established Tunisian designer who was working in Kuwait at the time. After working as a creative assistant for two years, Rabah set off on his own, ultimately landing a designing gig at Juliette N. White.
When you’re headed to Kuwait for Fashion Week, “travel essentials” means more than just remembering your toothbrush and phone charger. Suddenly everything from beaded dresses and luxury leather clutches to glittering jewelry and metallic luggage becomes a necessity for your trip. I knew my days and nights were going to be jam-packed with shows, parties and events so I opted for two pieces of luggage: the Hartmann 7R Global Carry-on Spinner and Long Journey Spinner. The Rose Gold was an obvious choice given the destination; what better way to arrive in such a glamorous city than with a pair of bright metallic suitcases?
Atelier Lioness is about taking Middle Eastern couture traditions - heavy beading, extreme tailoring and major glamour - and making them modern. This incredible dress from the fashion week show is the perfect example of that. It’s a dreamy, floaty confection that still pays tribute to the luxe detailing Kuwaiti designers so love while making it more palatable for Western tastes.
There’s New York, Milan, Paris, London - but Kuwait? As of last month, with the inauguration of Kuwait Fashion Week, the answer is a resounding yes. We spent three days in the glamorous city, attending events, sitting at fashion shows, meeting designers and completely immersing herself in the burgeoning Kuwaiti fashion culture.
Socialites dripping in diamonds, cameras flashing, air kisses, and legendary nightlife queen Amy Sacco presiding over it all: it was the KMO Jewelry launch party last Wednesday night at No8 and it. was. fabulous.
ALL GROWN-UP AND GOING BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING: BRANDS WE LOVE FOR THE STYLISH MOM ON-THE-GO
While it may be tough to tear yourself away from cocktails poolside, be sure to catch an Uber to the other side of the bridge for a little cultural stimulation in the Wynwood Arts District one afternoon. Teeming with art galleries, museums, coffee shops, bars and clothing stores too cool for school, the Arts District is the perfect escape to exercise your brain — rather than your bikini.
