zaidd'or

By Zaid Taji Farouki

My First Skirt!

With so much going on and everything being up in the air, I just realized today that it has been 8 days since I last posted on my blog. Yes days feel like hours to me at this point. Yesterday I had to the opportunity to visit Pavia as one of my friends invited me as well as a few other friends to her home there. I found the true meaning of a small Italian city. I have to visit again soon, as it is only 30 minutes away from Milano.Below you will find pictures of the cathedral and views from my friends balcony. As well as visiting Pavia, I got to execute my first skirt. Please don’t look at the type of skirt as its a basic exercise everyone had to do from a book. Will I be able to give designers a little run for their money? NAHHHHHHHHH I know this is such a short post, but I am swamped with work tomorrow as I have to hand in my sketch book which includes “my aliens” as well as have some of my aliens colored in using Pantone. Ohh the joy of staying up all night, I am pulling more all-nighters than my freshman year at university (which was record breaking for all-nighters)

Ps. Click on the images below to enlarge them

“My Plants Gonna Grow Gold Leaves Baby”

One of the best things to hear and record is sayings by ambitious people making fun of their futures and how unrealistic things may be. And trust me nothing stops in the way of dreaming. As I was on the phone with a close friend of mine today he said “I will make them water the plants in bikinis with Evian water and caviar as soil… My plants gonna grow gold leaves baby”…… DON’T WE ALL WANT THAT!!! Well we ended a 45 minute phone call by saying if our young selves would have heard our conversation today they would make fun of us. As we also discussed how our metabolism is starting to fail us and we can’t drink as much as we could before. Yes our 18 year old selves would probably be on the floor crying from laughter. But be careful what you wished for when you were younger! You couldn’t wait for the day you turned 1 year older. Now on your birthday you stay in bed remembering what happened in that year and how it went by so fast. Hahaha As we work everyday to reach what we want to in life, there is nothing like having a friend that you can share these stuff with and make fun of it. But nothing is more beautiful than having your work transfer from something in your mind to reality. And the more time I spend here in school the closer and more realistic it becomes.

Well as I work like a dog and sometimes hard work doesn’t show as much. But here is some sketches from one class that I did throughout last week. There is improvement with my sketches hopefully be the end of this week we will start coloring them and by next week start sketching our own designs on the figures. Many of the sketches still need fixing as they are unfinished.

Ps. Click on the images to enlarge them.

Going “Nude”

So I personally thought that this year was going to be the year where I jet of to Europe study during the week and travel and party during the weekend, WORNG. So This weekend I spent my entire weekend dedicated to finishing up my work. I did a fair amount of it. But perfectionist me, I am planning on repeating a large part of my homework. And I personally cant get myself to do it tonight, it has been a long exhausting weekend. But I have to admit never have I ever been so worried but so at ease and relaxed at the same time. Even without enough sleep I always manage to wake up before the alarm, waiting to see what the world has hidden for me. Its an oxymoron where I am so worried and tense but I feel somehow in center with myself and happy. These three weeks I believe had taught me something I never learnt before, is coming prepared and full of confidence but somehow in a second everything comes crashing down. Everything becomes wrong, I know this is a cliché but you dust yourself up and move on and find a better way to do things.

I haven’t posted a daily obsession recently, so here I am posting about the new shades of “nude” a new line that Christian Louboutin has launched for this upcoming season. Explaining “The shoes disappear like magic and become a fluid extension of the woman’s legs, as in a sketch, elongating the silhouette.” In order to achieve this appearance he launched the 5 different shades. And if you are finding trouble knowing which color best matches your skin, you can use a newly launched app to assist you with that. Here are the new shades of “nude”.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

First of all I would like to thank everyone that has followed me and liked my pictures on Instagram so far. If you haven’t gotten the chance yet it’s @zaidfarouki. A special thank you for everyone that did! So today was my day off from school. In the morning I had to go run some errands as I had to prepare my papers for tomorrow when I go get my residency in Milan. While I was running my errands I passed by my favorite place for gelato here, its the best I have tasted so far. So I had gelato for breakfast yes I felt like I deserved it on my day off with my stressful week. But I must admit as I lay in bed reviewing what I ate today I feel guilty hahaha.. Later on in the day I went shopping, I knew I had to be ready by 7:15 as I was invited to an event at the BVlGARI store at 7:30. And it is a 15 minute walk from my apartment. As my friend and I arrived to the event it was going really well until it started raining, it wasn’t just raining but it was a torrential downpour. So here is how I look before I got home soaking wet. I can hear the rain now while in bed. I have an early start tomorrow as my class starts at 8:30, Good night everyone!!!

1208540_10153319272185596_522417160_n
1377453_10153319270855596_714925865_n I was wearing An Armani jacket, Theory pants, and Fratelli Rossetti shoes

Under Pressure

So today has been one of those days.. You know the sketches that took me 3 days to make and the ones I showed you yesterday? Well I have to re-do a good deal of them because they are not good enough. So after a whole day of classes starting from 11:15 am to 8pm. I hear this news at around 7:45 because thats when the teacher had individual meetings with everyone of us. After class I managed to drag myself back home, dragging myself home at the pace where it usually only takes me 10 minutes to get home from university to my apartment. It took me 30! Here I am sitting in a café right underneath my building. Currently writing this trying to decide what I should eat. Am I running towards food for comfort? Yes, I am. Should I be doing that? NOOO.. So here I am trying to decide what to eat and feeling guilty for not having a daily workout schedule.

Anyways the professor informed me that the sketches don’t have to be done by next week but should be there by the end of November (the end of our first semester) So here I am forcing myself to do them early not because I don’t want to keep them till the end but because I have to try my best to be the best at what I want to be. So as I plan the rest of this weeks schedule I realize I will almost have a nonexistent weekend. A few pages of sketching to repeat, new sketches to make, a skirt to cut over the weekend, and to create one mood board as an example for my first collection.

I swear Fashion school is breaking me faster than business school ever did. I am going to eat and head up to my apartment to sleep as I have to create 4 skirt patterns for tomorrow and I need to finish the last 2. Luckily I have class at 2:45 so I have time to do them before hand.

What also keeps me going is these messages I got from two of my friends today and I would like to thank them for all the support and love. One of them I woke up to, the other I received during the day. I would love to thank them for all the love and support.

“Do i always tell you mama says ‘did you tell zaid that hes designing youe wedding dress?’ hahahaa”

“Good luck in this new chapter of your life in beautiful Milan, wish you all the best Zaido! Make me proud!!”

Love,
sleep deprived, emotionally and physically exhausted Zaid

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).

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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.

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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