Shaikhen and Stirred

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Mad For PFW - Nope that’s not an acronym for Paris Fashion Week....

At Pink Mamma - the prettiest, yummiest & friendliest trattoria!

Heading to Manish Arora’s show. Bumped into my friends on the way, who were taking a break from the shows and of course, an “impromptu” photoshoot ensued:)

.... I mean it is, usually, but I’m talking about some of my favorite trends from Fashion Week that I personally saw and plan to incorporate in my upcoming wardrobe. Read on to figure out my PFW:)

Love my plaid Emilia Wickstead dress and Gabriela Hearst Blazer. Double the plaid = double the pleasure;))

P - Plaid, of course!!!! Tartan, plaid, “checks”, as I used to call it as a child, kilted pattern or all of the above. Call it what you may but make sure you add a piece or five to your closet soon.
Of course, I went overboard (not really, because it did look quite nice & a cute French guy sitting at a bistro, chic scarf around his neck, cigarette in hand and the sweetest French accent told me I looked good as I walked by him to a show;) I paired my Emilia Wickstead tartan dress that Nadir bought me in London (I chose & he bought;) with a single-breasted plaid wool Gabriela Hearst blazer that I’ll be pairing with a lot of looks this season.

(1. Above, with my dear friend and precious jewelry designer, Lorenz Bäumer at his atelier in Place Vendôme. 2 & 4. At one of favorite boutiques in Paris, Merci (more in an upcoming blog post) and 3. At The Ritz Paris tea).

At the Givenchy show.

(1. Above at the Rochas show with Geoffroy Van Raemdonck, CEO of Neiman Marcus Group & darling Ken Downing, SVP & Fashion Director of Neiman Marcus. 2. Pre-Givenchy show. 3. Various iterations of the Off-White invitation. 4. With the man, the legend, Virgil Abloh, CEO & founder of Off-White as well as Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton’s men’s wear label).

Taking a break between shows.

F - Fringe - oh I loooove the fringe that was on sooo many runways in Paris but my absolute favorite was at Givenchy & Esteban Cortazar. The one at Givenchy was silver and to-die-for. I mean it was even on sunglasses!!!! Here’s a FFF for you. Oh, that’s a Fun Fringe Fact! Fringe apparently originated in Mesopotamia (Iraq today) in 3000 B. C.
Esteban Cortazar had this one particular ribbed wool embroidered dress that literally took my breath away. If you click on the above links you’ll be able to see all the looks from his show as well as from the Givenchy show. But fret not, my about to adopt fringe friends because it doesn’t have to be part of a dress only. It can be on a necklace or a scarf or even on shoes. I’m going to pull out an old pair of boots that are fringed beyond belief & yes, will happily Instagram pics wearing them. Not that you ever have to ask me for a pic;)

Break and posing continues….


W - Western or Cowboy boots. Literally drooooooling over them. When I was in Saint Tropez in August, Leila & I ran into a posh boutique to take shelter from the pouring rain one afternoon. And there I saw this INSANE pair of black cowboy booties with red and silver stars on them. Did I buy them you ask? No, I answer, because I’m a fool. In all honesty, I had just bought a bag the day before and felt sooo guilty spending more so I passed on buying these boots. BIGGEST fashion regret... kind of. But I’m not one to give up so I searched, combed, hunted & googled till I found them online. Sadly, that pair was not available but I found a beige pair with silver stars and received them just in time for my Paris trip. And I love them to death. They are sexy and earthy & masculine yet feminine. I know I sound crazy but I promise they are just the right mix of all of the above. AND sooo comfy since I’m a little tired (feet are getting too old) of heels. Imagine my surprise when one of my favorite shows every year at PFW had cowboy boots on the runway like no one’s business. I’m talking about Redemption. Which reminds me that I need to find a cheap black pair now.

These boots give me life - love them. From one of my favorite french brands, Mexicana - and kind of well priced too.

Yikes!!! I know the pic resolution sucks but had to show you my boots and the hotel lobby! Also, wearing my friend Farah’s jacket since we had just walked back to our hotel at 2AM and it was frrreeeezing!

I know this post is content heavy but please do keep reading for a list of my favorite shows this season in Paris:

Off-White by Virgil Abloh - It was my fashion dream to see his show and to find out that I had received an invite for his show was un-fucking-believable!!!!!! I had the best view at his show and was mesmerized with each and every detail. He labeled this collection Track and Field and had eight gold medal women athletes walk his show alongside the fashion models. Talk about Mega Girl Power!!

Giambattista Valli - LOVED the short in front and long in back dresses. SO pretty and ethereal!

Elie Saab - Models strutted their stuff clad in Floral Blooms, Sequins, Suits and Leopard Patterns to the sound of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”. It was SPECTACULAR.

Givenchy - Of course, my favorite every single time I see it! Clare Waight Keller’s androgynous, non-gender runway looks were among the most eye catching IMHO.

Rochas - Leopard and Zebra patterns along with Ostrich Feathered dresses in pastel colors were on Alessandro Dell’Acqua’s mind when he came up with these supremely chic pieces. So, there you have it some of my PFW (Paris Fashion Week) highlights with my favorite PFW (Plaid, Fringe, Western Boots) trends!!

On my way to Stella McCartney. Thanks Aubrey Brewster for the awesome pics!

Some other trends to follow or keep an eye out for:

Animal Print - Leopard, cheetah, zebra and leopard on leopard? YES!!!!

Chunky White Sneakers - Not doing it … ever … but each to their own.

Chokers and Statement Earrings - The bigger the better.

The Color Green - I’m all over it even when it’s not trending so you can imagine what a field day I’m about to have with this one and Yellow & Silver too.

Pantsuit, pantsuit, pantsuit!!!!!

Big, Padded, Bold shoulders - Dynasty’s Alexis Carrington calling for sure. And a general 80s vibe is definitely going to be in the air!!

Having a quick cappuccino break with my dearest Chuck Steelman, Corporate PR, Neiman Marcus. LOOOOVE Chuck’s Ralph Lauren 50th Anniversary sweatshirt!

At the Carolina Herrera showroom with the incredibly talented and super sweet Wes Gordon, Creative Director, Carolina Herrera. He is the epitome of a true gentleman!!

Thank you as always for visiting & reading my blog post! Lots and lots of love from the stirrer;) Hugs, Sobia

Last but not least with the awesome Ken Downing at the Off-White show.