zaidd'or

By Zaid Taji Farouki

Category: Men

Reporting A Missing Person (My Doppelgänger)

A few days ago I received a text from my uncle telling me while browsing online he saw a man on the Trussardi runway show and he thought it was me. After forwarding the images to everyone, my grandfather actually thought it was me and didn’t have second doubts about it. Do you think I have managed to find my doppelgänger?
After seeing his image I tried with no luck to finding his name so I can finalize this dilemma. If its true, maybe we can both have a Vegas show! Help me find my doppelgänger he is the model for the 5th look at the Trussardi Fall/winter 2013 Mens collection. So here I am “reporting a missing person…. my doppelgänger”. If you have ever come across him please contact me!
I will leave you now to judge if he is my true doppelgänger or not! _ARC1758.450x675

Picture taken by Marcus Tondo/ inDigital

Venetian Masks

Dating back to the 13th century Venetians wore the mask to free themselves from class hierarchies as well as for romantic encounters, gambling, dancing and any other times where the person wanted to hide their true identity and become harder to recognize. Moreover, the masks were used during plays to emphasize the character of the actor. Wearing masks in public was outlawed for a long period of time. Furthermore the Carnival was outlawed from the 18th century until the Italian government in an effort to boost the economy reinitiated the carnival in the 70’s. Venetian masks come in many different shapes and forms. Below you will find images of the mask I captured on the street as well as my friend and I wearing the masks on Halloween in Venice.
But now the real question is.. How easy would it be to pull a look with a mask in the future. Hmmmm something to think about!

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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.

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).

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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.

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

Daily Obsessions

I have previously spoken about my obsession with jackets, but today I want to specifically talk about my obsession with leather jackets. To me the best at giving you the biker look is Belstaff. Today I visited their website and I think I put my goals to perspective that I need to be able the biker look as soon as possible. But I doubt I am anywhere near that with the scorching heat that is in The Middle East as well as the weight gain thanks to my mom and grandma and a shout out for their great food that I cant resist. On the other hand I would probably be pacing my kitchen in a few weeks in Milan trying to figure out what I can throw together to make something edible. Well back to Belstaff and the jackets, take a look at it yourself and tell me you wouldn’t want to pull this look. I am specifically obsessed with the look with the model sitting on the floor next to his bike.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them

Pictures taken from Belstaff

Men’s Bracelets

A few months ago I posted about the new line of enamel bracelets that Hermès has launched targeted towards men. The men’s version has a matte finish compared to the gold or silver as well as the flatted out H, which is different than the women’s bracelets. When I had purchased my bracelet as a graduation gift to myself the only colors available were black, brown, and chestnut. I chose the beige because the color does not restrict you from wearing it as much. But recently Hermès launched new colors and they look amazing. If I would repurchase one I would go with the Canary yellow, burgundy, or the Indian blue. The new colors include Indian Blue, Burgundy, Beige, Canary Yellow, Navy Blue, Black, and Brown.  Below is a photo of me wearing it with an Omega bracelet that I received as a graduation gift from friends of mine.

P.s. Click on the images to enlarge them

Pictures taken from Hermès

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Kenzo x Vans

For the final capsule collection between Kenzo and Vans  they have introduced six new sneakers. They have three different prints the cloud, tigers, and lightning.

P.S. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Pictures taken from Kenzo

My Cruella de Vil Moment

Now that I finally booked my flight to Milan on the 15th of September. I started thinking of what I should pack to take with me now that the summer is almost over. While browsing some collections online I came across these two fur coats by Tom Ford and my jaw dropped. Yes, I had my Cruella de Vil moment.  I couldn’t choose which fur coat looked better therefore I couldn’t decide which one to post. But I know for a fact that I would love to pull the black fur coat look. I also love the tuxedo underneath the black coat. Don’t get me wrong that I don’t like the brown one but I would probably go with the black one.

 

Tom Ford men's brown fur coat

Tom Ford Men's black fur coat

To Wear, Or Not To Wear?

I came across these belts by Ermenegildo Zegna and everyday I look at them and wonder if I purchase one how creepy would I look like. Would I be the guy that writes his name on a buckle, or like that has s*x on his buckle, or the guy with the LED scrolling message?  I wonder how stupid would I look with my name starting with Z and wearing a buckle with a Z, or would it be normal?  To wear, or not to wear, that’s the question.

taken from zegna.com

Once Upon A Time

“Once Upon A Time” is a short 13 minute film created by Karl Lagerfeld which tells the story about Coco Chanel’s start and her inspirations. Although the short film was shown in May I just came across it today and I couldn’t help but watch it a few times before posting it here. In the film there are a few shots that inspire me as well and I have screenshot these moments below. The long neck-collar of the man in his car, the long boots on men, the obscene amount of pearls that can be worn by a woman without looking ridiculous, and the use of unusual material at the time to create custom made clothing.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.