Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi

June 16, 2013 in Accessories, Antique/Vintage, Bracelets, Brands, Cliché, Collections, debut, Designers, Dresses, Earrings, Evelyn La Starza, Fashion, Girly Elegance, MAYLILY, Model Shooting, Necklaces, Romantic, Sandi Motallebi, Sandra Motallebi, slide-show, Slideshow, Sponsorship, Spring/Summer, True Beauty

Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi (pic 1)

Read on before you judge too soon. I am not posting another usual style post. It is a retelling of my self-realization journey through hooking up with an empowered autonomous designer – Sydney-based Sandi for Sandra Motallebi. From the moment I received an encouraging initial comment about La Mode by GV Miao from Sandi that she admired its refreshing and unique content which can hardly be found in other blogs, I already felt empowered and proud knowing that I am on the right track.

Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi (pic 2)

When I put on the signature Come Fly With Me Dress from Spring/Summer 2013 collection, it’s like magic, whoa! My self-esteem built, my confidence exploded and my performance level rose – everybody hear me sing “I feel pretty, oh, so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and bright! Lalalalalala……”

Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi (pic 3)

Sandi is always conscious of helping women to awaken and to live more inspired, authentic, empowered and joy-filled lives through her exceptional design. Her label Sandra Motallebi is based on the concept that every woman has light and darkness within her, together reflecting her mysterious nature. The debut Spring/Summer 2013 collection hence was named “True Beauty” aiming to explore different women’s beauty in their own way and accentuate their inner beauty rather than outer beauty, stimulating appreciation of their own unique personality and overriding the merely shallow and superficial physical attractiveness.

This Come Fly With Me Dress features superior craftsmanship, exquisite embellishments with a mix of fabrics and flowy drappy silhouette. I have had the most wonderful moment of my life by dressing in it. It has magically transformed me into an angelic fairy. My smile has never been this bright as spring blossoms. When I feel a change in me, the whole world changes. Feeling empowered is simply a matter of choosing to believe that the power to be fulfilled, gratified and satisfied lies in my own hands. I live happily and I act gracefully, therefore I am. Thank you Sandi, my guru.

Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi (pic 4)

On Vicki Victoire (Gwen Vikkey Miao):

Come Fly With Me Dress by Sandra Motallebi

Gold Plexi And Lace Earrings by the Italian vintage queen Evelyn La Starza for Maylily added a touch of vintage glamour to my soft and romantic look.

Classic Necklace worn as a headpiece, Pom Pom Bobble Bracelet and Blossom purse-like iPhone 5 Case by Cliché exuded girly elegance and celebrated the joy and warmth of spring.

Mary Jane heels by Staccato

Not A Style Post: A Self Empowerment Journey with Sandra Motallebi (pic 5)

Photographer: Jin Wong at JinWong.com

Styling & modeling: Vicki Victoire (Gwen Vikkey Miao)

Make up: FANCL make up service

Venue: Tai Ping Shan Street, Hong Kong (an area rich in cultural legacy and historical heritage of Hong Kong)

Share

African Fashion Show in Hong Kong: All Are Equal; All Are Welcome!

May 24, 2012 in Accessories, African Tribal Style, Amina Lamarre, Antique/Vintage, Brands, Designers, Dresses, Exotic Ethnic, Fashion, Fashion Events, Fashion Shows, Jewellery, Miss Bella, Necklaces, slide-show, Slideshow, Virginie Villa

The fact that big name editors, top international bloggers and celebs are so proud of sitting in the front row of the “Big Four” fashion-week shows indicates that the whole idea of fashion, by its nature, is hierarchical, which means only the elite fashion circle is entitled to enjoy the privilege of watching the glamorous world of high-end fashion on stage at a close distance. Exuding the democratic and harmonious spirit of traditional African culture, the African fashion night co-hosted by Amina Lamarre, the French-African businesswoman turned amateur fashion designer and the French jewelry designer Virginie Villa was like a breath of fresh air among the status oriented fashion occasions. The event taking place in Amina’s Makumba Africa Lounge, the first authentic African bar in Hong Kong (she has been running Makumba since I first met her a few years ago in Hong Kong) was open to all, regardless of social background or status, title, occupation or age. While waiting for the show to start, the guests could feel free to enjoy moving their hips to the passionate African live music while sipping a drink.

Not a big fan of dancing? The venue was lavishly decorated with brightly colored African handcrafted works. The guests could leisurely browse the beautiful displays of African fabrics, wood and other colorful handmade works and kept themselves in a delightful mood for the show.

More guests flocked to the bar fifteen minutes before the show started. After a short while the music stopped and the MC came onto the stage to announce the start of the show with a speech in praise of the designers’ creativity and the beauty of the models. Wows could be heard as each model came out in her stunning look. The models did not grace a typical runway; they catwalked through the audiences showing warm smiles and friendly gestures and welcoming close-up snapshots by the crowd. The African fashion show was all about everyone, no matter who they are enjoying and participating in a fun and fabulously chic party on an equal basis. So who cares about Anna Wintour?

Read the rest of this entry →

Share