zaidd'or

By Zaid Taji Farouki

Category: Journal

The Day of Changes

Well today it was one of those things that I had to do. I had to create a public Instagram account @zaidfarouki. I will try me best somehow later integrate my Instagram feed into the blog. Well as we all know if social media if used correctly is one of the greatest marketing tools the world has to offer. Because of what I want to do and the work I want to go in. I need to synchronize everything from twitter to Instagram to my blog. Therefore, I have created an Instagram account with the same username as my twitter account, so I will be easier to find on social media. So follow me on both Twitter and Instagram at @zaidfarouki

So after clearing this issue, today has been one of those hectic days, long working hours and getting frightened by my old smoking neighbor that stands between the pots. I think this week our relationship took a new level. We saw each other on the street and greeted each other, I am worried that our relationship is escalating to fast…. So now whenever she sees me she smiles and says “Ciao”. The only conversation that goes on between us is “Bonjourno” and “Ciao” but then she smiles whenever she sees me. Anyways so today I was late to leave my apartment and it was probably the third time I come back from standing in front of the elevator after remembering something I forgot. After I left my apartment for the third time. There she was in black and a grey shawl in between the flower pots smoking and our typical conversation of “Bonjourno” and “Ciao” took place.

Today has been a long day. I woke up early and finished the sketches for my class. And of course the internet limit decides to end today so I had to walk to Vodafone and recharge my account. As this took time there came the lunch hour which every place in Italy closes from 1-3 pm. No one messes with the Italians and their lunch break, So I had to wait around for the art supply store to open again. I met up with a friend for tea afterwards and then I headed off to my pattern making class. So to add even more work to the work. We are supposed to sketch 4 different patterns of skirts and ready by Wednesday and have 1 actual skirt made by Monday. This is going to be a fun weekend. I don’t know whether to be excited or worried.

So below your going to find some sketches that I have made. of course only the presentable ones, not the alien formed ones hahah. Now off to create 2 things on Photoshop and then off to bed because tomorrow is going to be a long day! Classes from 11:15am – 8pm.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

The Weekend

This weekend after doing some work and running errands, my friend and I decided to go sightseeing around Milano, we went to Castello Sforzesco, the castle which is located in the heart of Milan has many museums as well as a fresco made by Leonardo da Vinci as well as Michelangelo’s last sculpture Rondanini Pietà which he worked on before he died. Below you will find photos of my day as a tourist in Milan. Hope you enjoy it!

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.


The Big Grey Cat

For the past two days I have seen Washington DC go all crazy, with the government shutting down, to a shooter at Capitol Hill. I hope everyone that works at the Capitol and all surrounding areas are safe and sound. And I seriously hope everyone I know in DC watches out as to whats happening in the city and stays safe.

So as some may know today was my day off from university. I woke up at 7:30 (of course you wake up really early when you don’t have to) anyways I stayed in bed till 12. Then I decided to go out for a 45 minute run. The weather is a bit chilly, but It was the right amount of cold, when you can feel the cool breeze hitting your face as you run. During my run I wanted to get lost in my area, as that’s the only way to learn the streets and find new intriguing places. I came across a large market that spans a few blocks, a park, and I also found a few electronics and home supply stores that I may need in the future. After getting home and showering, as I left my apartment for the second time, I saw the “infamous” cat, you know the one that lives with my neighbor that doesn’t smoke using her hands.. Well that cat was waiting for me next to my apartment door and it was staring right at me with its big green eyes. It was like it was trying to look into my soul, and whenever I moved my head right or left it did the same exact thing. And then I saw its owner coming out of her apartment door. Of course you see her cigarette exiting the door before her, trying to light it. I politely said “bonjourno” and fled to the elevator.

Later on I went with a friend to an art supply store and sat on a cafe and started sketching for one of my classes. You can see in the photos below pictures of the park I ran in and some of my sketches that I have which are not that great, but I had to show you what I am working on. We had to draw designs from magazines as practice so we can be able to draw our own designs in the future.

So here I am in bed, about to go to sleep because tomorrow is going to be a loooong day. Classes start at 8:30 am.. So I better get a good night’s sleep. I hope you enjoy the pictures and the sketches of course.

Ps. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

“The Showgirl In Every One Of Them”

Today was one of those days, where as soon as you get home, you hop into your PJ’s and eat a cake for dinner. I have been going to school for two days now and I can promise you, the work I have ahead of me this year is equivalent to the work I have done in the past four years for my Bachelors Degree. So here I am at 9 pm already in bed. Waiting anxiously for me free day tomorrow, where I can wake up go for a run, and get started on those 10 pages of drawings I have due on Tuesday (thats only for one class). You better love what your doing, or your going to have a melt down really fast. Yesterday I had class from 11:15am-8pm and today from 2:45-8pm. Yes those are my normal days. And the day I am dreading the most? Its Friday, my classes start at 8:30.
So back to the fashion world, which I have managed to disappear from for the past couple of days. Today we learnt that after 16 years Marc Jacobs will no longer be the creative director of Louis Vuitton. He was the person that introduced Vuitton’s prêt-à-porter before the brand was famous for its leather goods and luggage. Marc dedicated this show to the women who have inspired him and to “the showgirl in every one of them”. Marc Jacobs is leaving Louis Vuitton to focus on his own brand while it heads towards an IPO.

You can watch the Louis Vuitton show using the link below. For now, good night to all the showgirls in every one of you!

http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/spring-summer-2014/ready-to-wear?mode=Live

A Day With Me, Myself and I

Today has been an interesting day. I woke up at 9 am then went back to sleep but at around 1 o’clock i woke up dreaming about food. I realized that because my windows were open the smell of my neighbor’s cooking had entered my apartment and it smelt so good. Afterwards I showered and got dressed and went out in search for a trash can to put in my bedroom/sitting-room as well as a side lamp. After visiting a few stores and not find anything, I decided to have lunch. While I was looking for restaurants, they were either closed, or full because it was Sunday. Walking around I passed by the Four Seasons, so I decided to go in and have lunch there (you can see the photo below). After filling up my belly “Kirsh” I decided to continue looking for a side lamp. I went two department stores Excelsior and La Rinascente.

On a side note am I the only person that their eyes water up when they see beautiful clothing? I was just wondering, am I the only one weird like that? Anyways I saw way to many god looking clothing articles that I may have felt like I was in my own Disney land. Well I may have fallen in love with a few things in the store. At first I saw these amazing camouflage shoes by Valentino and formal sneakers by Hogan. I later saw two sweaters by Kenzo. One of them I didn’t really like, but what grabbed my attention was how products are specifically tailored to the Middle – Eastern market. I must admit its a creative twist, but after thinking of it for a while, the sweater might look like a parody. An example of these parodies have come up in the past two years with t-shirts instead of saying Hermés it says “Homies”. Or Comme des Garçon which they turned into Comme des f**kdown.

Well anyways here are a few photos of the things I loved and came across today. I will update you with what happens with me tomorrow with my first day at Istituto Marangoni.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Pictures were taken from Keno, Hogan, and Valentino.

Viale Premuda

So today I blog for the first time from my apartment, sitting here alone as my mom left back to Jordan today. Before writing anything I would like to take a moment and thank her for all the help she gave me while she was here. Running from one side of the city to another to get to appointments and also dealing with (arguably) my “pickiness”.
So today starts a new chapter in my life. So far I have met a few of my neighbors, some are mysterious as they don’t speak a word of english and just look out of their windows and smoke. I was telling my mother that I feel like I am living in Egypt, but Egypt at the time of my grandparents or parents. When you open your windows you can see into other peoples apartments. You can talk to your neighbors across your windows. I don’t think it gets more Italian than this. While looking for apartments, we saw an advertisement for a one bedroom apartment on the 6th floor, but with a twist of fate people who viewed the apartment before us decided they wanted that apartment. It turns out that its a Turkish girl that will be attending Istituto Marangoni with me. So with that apartment taken, the landlord was so apologetic that she helped me find another apartment. Hence the apartment I currently live in, a few floors below. So it’s great as I finally know a nice person that will be going to the same school as me and we are neighbors. So hopefully I wouldn’t be singing “I am Mr lonely, I have no body I am on my own” anytime soon. THANK THE LORD..
So the first neighbor I met while I was moving in was an old lady that lives with a big fat grey cat, that smokes all the time outside her apartment, she is so experienced with smoking that she talks and smokes without holding the cigarette. Today she kind of scared me as she was sitting between the flowers and I didn’t see her when I walked onto my floor. The second neighbor is another old lady that also smokes, she lives two floors above me but this lady is different she loves looking out at the entire building while she smokes. There is an old man that also lives on my floor and he probably has the largest apartment in the building, how did I know? His front door was open the other day. Then on the same floor as mine there lives a young man, as well as a woman in her late 20’s early 30’s. There also lives on the 6th floor a basketball player with his model girlfriend.
So now that you know of my neighbors and the picture of my apartment building, now you can imagine my living situation. I can’t deny it I love it.. Although my parents are having the time of their lives making fun of me as they remember the times in Egypt by telling me to close the shutters by saying “Shangal il sheesh” or because there aren’t any driers we have to hang our clothes out to dry. they keep telling me “imsa7 il 7abl 2abl ma t3ala2 il hidoum” (wipe the hanging clothing line before putting anything on it).
So orientation starts after tomorrow and I am waiting to see how it turns out. Lets hope my classes are project runway style, and we will be starting our first challenge.

Milano

Ok, I know that I haven’t blogged in a while and thats totally against my birthday resolution! Anyways so it has been such a long week in Milan. We arrived last Sunday, starting from Monday morning we went to view apartments with a realtor I have contacted before arriving to Milan. Anyways remember how Cinderella’s room looked like? Well this one is something like it but you actually have to pay for it, it isn’t for free. And if cinderrella was based in Milan I don’t think she could have afforded her room at €1500 a month, with 2 months deposit and 2 months paid to the realtor for finding you the “apartment”. Well 15 apartments later, 4 realtors, and help from family friends. TODAY I finally found an apartment!!!!! And then in my head I started singing “Oh, hale, hallelujah Hale, hallelujah Hale” I have reached new levels of frustration over the past few days. But bump into my cousin who was in town for one day and planning a rendez-vous the next day was the highlight of the week. It was great seeing her and catching up with her! It has been such a longtime since we last met.

Milan has been great so far. But there is something that has been on my mind. Where the f$#% do they get the height from? Ok if your a man or woman below 6 feet your considered short. Is it because of fashion week or what I don’t know. But I would love to know where they you can but this s*^t because I am planning to hit that store and spend my life’s saving in it.

Well anyways I will leave you to the photos below and the new italian words I learnt along the way. one of the pictures is of my apartment building.

Allora,Grazie, Affittasi (for rent), Vendesi (for sale), piano (floor), and Pronto! (A must when answering the phone).

20130923-001845.jpg20130923-001855.jpg20130923-001918.jpg20130923-001930.jpg<a

Daily Obsessions

Ever since I saw this print on Carolina Herrera’s runway I was obsessed. I even fell in love with it further after I saw the dress at a Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Screen Shot 2013-09-12 at 8.58.57 PM

 

Pictures taken from Moda Operandi

Oscar de la Renta

The name just describes it all Oscar de la Renta showed an amazing show as usual, I love the use of tweed and blue embroidery on white.

Pictures taken by Marcus Tondo /indigitalimages

Alice & Olivia – New York Fashion Week

Alice & Olivia previewed their collection today during New York Fashion Week. And I am obsessed with two looks they showed today: the first one being the green top and skirt by Alice & Olivia it reminds me so much of the 60’s and I love that aspect of it, It’s a pure throwback. My second favorite look is the embroidered jacket, that jacket will for sure make a statement when worn. The contrast of the blue, green and red with the beige background is just purely beautiful.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Pictures taken from Alice & Olivia

Happy Birthday ZAIDD’OR!

I can’t believe that today marks one year since I started this blog with 275 posts and over 50,400 views. I remember when I started this blog last year I wanted to do something that would get me started in the fashion world no matter how small the project was. I didn’t know if the blog was going to be successful or not, I am even unsure of it as of now. But here I am a year later getting ready to pack my bags and head out to Milan, Italy to study fashion design.  I really hope that I can turn my dreams into reality and I am excited for what the next year has to hide.

Let this birthday resolution be, I will put my best efforts to wards blogging more often and adding creative contents on the blog. All I can ask for this year is a cupcakes and a bottle of champagne to celebrate this year.

Anna Wintour Smiles

Soooo my hiccups are still on since yesterday and they haven’t stopped. I think I should contact a famous DJ and ask them to create a remix of my 30 second hiccup intervals. Well on the bright side I contacted my doctor today and he said my hiccups are caused by the cold that I have and I shouldn’t be worried about it being a side effect from the antibiotics that I have been taking.

Well there is one thing that could make all my hiccups go away, its Anna Wintour smiling at me like she did today with Harper Beckham. If Anna Wintour ever smiles in a runway show of mine I would know I have accomplished something in the fashion world.

I am also seeing a trend with the see-through white material. We have seen it yesterday by Lacoste and today by Victoria Beckham. Here are the 7 looks that I liked most out of her collection.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Victoria, Harper, and David Beckham with Anna Wintour

DAY 363

So today has been one of those annoying sick days, where you stay in bed all day and don’t know where the day goes until you realize its dark outside. Starting last night I cam down with a cold, a special thank you to my mom for passing the cold to me. Well anyways I have had these hiccups that started at around 3 am and they haven’t stopped up until now. I am literally dying, my back cramps with every hiccup. I have tried everything to stop it but no use what so ever. The hiccups have made me lose my sanity. Of course I tried googling “The hiccups song” so I can sing to it and after not finding anything  I chose to sing “You spin me right round, baby.. Right round like a record, baby…Right round round round..” I am of course singing The Dead or Alive version not Flo-Rida’s version. On the bright side today I got to see the sunrise, also I got to hear the people going to work blasting Fayrouz early in  the morning, and I think I got to watch every single TV show I didn’t get to see over the year.

Ok I better stop rambling before I prove myself insane and lose all the people I know……. “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
Zip-A-Dee-A …..” (Ok joking) now back on track. As New York Fashion week is going on and I am stuck in bed, I think I have seen the fashion shows from all point of views. Thanks to Instagram, blogs, and runway pictures and video I have seen the fashion shows from all point of views  whether its from bloggers, fashion designers, brands, celebrities and magazines. OK THE HICCUPS ARE SERIOUSLY GETTING ON MY NERVES, I am starting to sound like Scooby-Doo right now.

Well today I am obsessed with Lacoste’s runway show, I actually liked the men’s clothing more than the women’s to tell you the truth. But here are my 12 favorite looks out of all 49 shown today.

PS. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Photos taken by Fabio Iona/ indigitalimages.com

Maison Martin Margiela X Converse

Maison Martin Margiela just launched a capsule collection with Converse. And I am obsessed with the crispness of the white.

Pictures taken from Vogue

New York Fashion Week

As Fashion Week kicks off in New York and designers preview their collections I am sitting here in Amman with my cup of chamomile tea viewing all the collections.  Meanwhile trying to finish a course introductory book that the university sent me before I leave for Milan.

Back to fashion….. So today many designers previewed and my favorite out of all of them are Robert Rodriguez, ZAC Zac Posen, and Red Valentino. Bellow you will find slideshows made of my favorite looks from each show.

Robert Rodriguez

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

ZAC Zac Posen 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

RED Valentino 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Pictures taken from RED Valentino, Robert Rodriguez, and ZAC Zac Posen