Boarding now! Don't stay behind!

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June 30 being the last day to submit your entries to Bras for a Cause, it may be interesting to have a look at those unknown designers who have already made the jump and sent their work. They're not big fashion names. They may not even be from the fashion industry altogether, but one thing is for sure: they care and they are here to lend support to a cause close to our hearts.

One of these outstanding talents is 17 years old Hasleen Anand. Yes, 17 and already on the path to doing great things, I can tell. And this is all I wish for her at the very least. She took the time to answer a few questions about her hopes, aspirations and Bras for a Cause.

In a nutshell: she did not disappoint and raised those expectations just a little bit higher. Clearly, that remarkable spirit that characterizes the event's professional designers is intrinsic to all participants, in all categories.

So without further ado, I give you Ms. Anand, fabulous teen and we hope, soon to be rock-star fashion talent! (I mean it, read some more and I promise you, you will feel that spirit too)

Hasleen Anand

Name, age, nationality and current country of residence
My name is Hasleen Anand. I am 17 years old and I stay in Dubai.

What’s your design background?
No design background, just have a passion for fashion designing.

Describe yourself in three words
Creative, Honest and Passionate :)

Who’s your favorite designer?
I do not have a favorite designer as such but I do admire the work of certain designers like Versace etc.

What kind of music inspires you?
Mostly depends on my mood, but always ready for pop or something that's calm and relaxing.

What’s your favorite movie?
Ooh many favorites, but here are a few- The Devil Wears Prada, Flight Plan and The Tourist.

If you hadn’t been a designer, what profession would you have chosen? If you’re not a designer, what is your current job and why did you choose to participate in this competition?
I am a student who's going to start with University for fashion designing, as I not only love everything about fashion but also want to pursue a career in the fashion world. I love designing in my free time so why not do it for a great cause :)

Describe your design style in three words
Floral, Unique, Intriguing.

Hasleen Anand: paintings & fashion design

Tell us a little bit about your creative process: how long did it take for you to create the design, what inspires you, how do you choose colors, fabrics, themes?
It took me around 10 days to complete everything. I love art and everything about fashion and my choice of going ahead in this field of design as my career has inspired me a lot. Whereas for choosing colors, I combine different colors and always try to bring out different shades, to make the theme I have chosen stand out.

Why did you decide to participate?
The love of designing and creativity helped me to be a part of this cause. When i heard about this, it wasn't only something new to me but something I would love to be a part of, hence giving me the opportunity to do something for a cause where you are not only having fun but being helpful. There were no reasons for why I shouldn't participate :)

What did you design, a bra or a t-shirt?
I designed two bras for two different categories and 1 T-shirt as well.

What inspired your design?
My inspiration was the season spring/summer itself, which gave me ideas of floral patterns and bright colors that I have used and of course the crusade against breast cancer.

What role do you think fashion can play in the fight against cancer and empowering cancer survivors?
Bringing about awareness through fashion will not only bring the difficulties of this disease into the limelight but also fetch support for the fight against it when associated with famous brands.

What are your expectations and hopes for this event?
I think this is a great event and more such events should be planned, they not only help to support the fight against cancer but also bring out many budding designers into the limelight.

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Exclusive! CeleBlog: Roxanne Alison Peters & Sharon-Ann Marie Alder on Bras for a Cause

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Every time I hear the word "kitsch" I get all excited! Yes, I'm that weird 30-something who's hung up on her music from the 80's, who can't resist checking up on some old flames (right!) like Saved By The Bell's Mark-Paul Gosselaar and who just wishes she could go back to the good old days, minus the horrific hairstyles (God that was bad) and the pimples.

So when I got to Alison and Marie's interview, I thought this is it; kitsch and chic all at once: let's bag this! Literally.

These two cousins' first collection is a blend of Dubai's culture where they were raised, with vibrant colors all wrapped in unique classic clutches. And I'm not being cavalier with the word "unique"; each piece is hand-made and each design is limited to two pieces only. Now if that doesn't make a girl feel special, I don't know what does!

This particular collection is inspired by the Hand of Fatima and the Evil Eye which developed from being simple ornaments on a purse to becoming the clutch itself.

And these creations are as unusual and charming as this pair of designers. Indeed, when you get answers like "Child-Woman/Drama Queen" and "Artist/Thinker" to the same question you know you're up for a special ride. And the story even gets better when you discover what's underneath these answers: two talented ladies with a big heart.

Read for yourself...

The Designer behind the Brand

Name, age, nationality and current country of residence

Roxanne Alison Peters, 26, UK and Sharon-Ann Marie Alder, 35, Indian. Both live in Dubai.

What’s your design background?

R- Undergrad in Fine Art and Masters in Arts Management.
S- Designing chic quirky clothes and accessories for myself. 

Describe yourself in three words

R- Artist , Thinker and a Lady.
S- Child-Woman, Dreamer and a Drama Queen.

Alison and Marie - SS2011

Who’s your favorite designer?

R- YSL, Marc Jacobs, Elie Tahari.
S- Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Mcqueen, Marc Jacobs.

What kind of music inspires you?

R- Sade, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu...
S- Music from 'Glee'.

What’s your favorite movie?

R- Annie.
S- Confessions of a Shopaholic.....mannequins talk to me!!!!!

If you hadn’t been a designer, what profession would you have chosen?

R- Something within the Creative Industry.
S- Luxury PR, That’s what I have done and love doing.

The Brand

Describe your label in three words

Kitsch, Chic and Bespoke.

When did you establish it?

November 2010.

Who is your target audience?

Women who dare to be different and most importantly who love themselves.

Alison and Marie - SS2011

Tell us a little bit about your creative process: how long does it take for you to create a new collection, what inspires you, how do you choose colors, fabrics, themes?

The entire process takes anywhere from 2-3 months. We do everything together...inspirational travelling, designing, brainstorming, putting our thoughts to paper and finally into production. We use the color trends for the upcoming seasons as inspirational guidelines. Our themes are usually around ideas we believe in and love ourselves. Our creations are things we adore in conjunction with fantasy.

Alison and Marie - SS2011

The Event: Bras for a Cause Middle East

Why did you decide to participate?

It’s for a cause that is close to our hearts. My dearest friend is a 'Survivor', a fighter; she is an inspiration to many women, and not just Cancer patients but regular women like you and me that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Most often it’s a beautiful blue sky with the most fabulous rainbow!

What did you design, a bra or a t-shirt?

Both! :)

What inspired your design?

T Shirt – We were inspired by the fight that all the survivors have endured. The angel wings are also a symbol of respect for all the great individuals who lost the battle of Breast Cancer.
Bra – The design is vintage incorporating the Alison and Marie lace. The color theme which is a variant of crystals from dark to light metallic tones. The shades form dark to light is significant of coming out of the dark towards the light of hope – survival.
We used our trademark crystals and embellishments, as every woman should look fabulous!

Alison and Marie - SS2011

Did you take a different approach when designing for cancer survivors (or their supporters) or did you consider them as any other client?

Whilst designing for a survivor/supporter/patient we keep several things in mind:
-They must feel special whilst they wear our t shirt/bra, as they are fighters of a disease/cause. Angels of hope admired by many.
- Every woman wants to be told and feel that she is beautiful. We want them to feel even more beautiful whilst wearing our t-shirt and bra. Unfortunately the survivors of today are limited to beautiful lingerie. We wanted to give them a different option. It was all made with extra care, love and hope.
-Comfort was a very important factor.

What role do you think fashion can play in the fight against cancer and empowering cancer survivors?

It is awareness of the cause. Designers are creators. We are creating for a good cause, to make every survivor even more beautiful than she is!

How do you view the Middle East as a fashion platform and audience to your creative vision?

The ME fashion culture is one of the most emerging and developing at the moment. Middle Eastern designers today are the most sought after and coveted world over. The women in this region take risks with fashion and convert those risks into trends all over the globe. It is slowly becoming the center of the fashion world. We are honored to be in the heart of it all!

Is this event the first time you present your work to Arab audiences? If yes, then what are your expectations and hopes with this first-time participation?

YES. We hope that this participation is a stepping stone to the bigger picture. It is a great opportunity to meet other creative individuals in the industry and celebrate this good cause together. We hope that our creations are appreciated and enjoyed by all.

As you know, there is a category for aspiring designers in the competition. How would you like to inspire young designers through your participation in Bras for a Cause?

We would like to inspire young designers by reminding them to Reach for the Stars! They will make it :)

Alison and Marie - SS2011

Following that experience, would you consider expanding on your Bras for a Cause design and creating collections that speak to cancer survivors in the future?

Most definitely. As we mentioned, this is a cause very close to our hearts and we would love to support and be a part of Bras for a Cause on an on-going basis. We would also like to create an exclusive line of items for the cause and donate all sale proceeds to a Breast Cancer charity.

To keep track of all our exclusive interviews, bookmark CeleBlogs. 

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Exclusive! CeleBlog: Rana Al-Basri Mouawad on Bras for a Cause

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Bras for a Cause is a charity event, and by nature, it calls for the humane, kind and generous side of us. It is without a doubt the perfect platform for Rana Mouawad, the founder and creative brain behind Maison Rana, a label resulting from the fusion between art and fashion.

The term Maison in French translates to "house" but can also mean "home". And this is what Maison Rana is in essence, a home. A home for artists to shine and grow. The concept is simple: a fashion label that creates prêt-a-porter collections which are inspired by artworks such as paintings, sculptures or photography while maintaining a transparent connection to the original art pieces.

Indeed, like any other designer out there, Rana Mouawad finds inspiration in the things she loves; in her case, art and culture. But unlike any other designer out there Rana Mouawad's creations openly carry the name of the artist who inspired them. 

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

A label with the social responsibility to promote other striving artists is rare and truly commendable. It is refreshing to see a young, ambitious woman not only championing culture and the arts in her work but also willing to share a piece of her success with those who inspire her.

You will recognize this quality in a few moments when you read about her favorite filmmakers. It will also immediately strike you should you visit her Facebook page where she openly acknowledges her friends and those who helped her. 

Scoop Alert!

The refreshingly generous designer reveals "Maison Rana will be exhibiting at the "Pret a Porter Paris" Exhibition at PFW this Sept :-) You're the first to know".

Congratulations are in order! ;)

Now aren't you just a teeny bit more curious?
Uncover Maison Rana as Ms. Mouawad herself discloses yet a few more secrets.

The Designer behind the Brand

Name, age, nationality and current country of residence

Rana Al-Basri Mouawad, 35 in August, I’m Iraqi, Living in Dubai.

What’s your design background?

Just the love and passion for design, colors and clothes. 

Describe yourself in three words

Passionate, Committed, Ridiculous when it comes to details.

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

Who’s your favorite designer?

Many! I love weird cuts, and I love a story behind a dress… in love with the work of Ralph Rucci, Alexander McQueen, Karen Karam, to name a few.

What kind of music inspires you?

Depending on the mood. Recently, I’ve been listening to Classics and Jazz.

What’s your favorite movie?

Many again! Sorry for that, but I love movies and watch a lot of them during the week, especially international ones! The Godfather, City of God (Brazilian Movie), The Circle (Persian Movie), No Man’s Land (Serbian Movie), and I love the work of Mahmoud Kaabour, and his recent documentary Teta Alf Marra.. Absolutely fabulous! .

If you hadn’t been a designer, what profession would you have chosen?

I am very lucky that I have already worked in the profession that I love which is advertising, marketing and communication. It gives you a great perspective on brands, image and production. Now, I am living my other passion that is fashion.

The Brand

Describe your label in three words

Creative, Special, Stylish.

When did you establish it?

2010.

Who is your target audience?

A woman who knows her sense of style and likes to experiment and try new pieces.

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

Tell us a little bit about your creative process: how long does it take for you to create a new collection, what inspires you, how do you choose colors, fabrics, themes?

Every collection in Maison Rana is inspired by art or culture (the art could be a painting or sculpture or photography, etc.). I try to translate the artist’s work and what I love about it or the city I visited and its beautiful culture into the designs, be it in cuts, draping and color palette. It takes me months to come up with a new collection, so I always try to multitask and work couple of collections at the same time, to give each collection the time I need for it. Insane but never been happier in my life.

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

The Event: Bras for a Cause Middle East

Why did you decide to participate?

The cause hits home for me.. I had few family members who battled breast cancer and I am blessed that they won the battle. I really believe that women are not powerless and we will win against this, by loving, supporting and helping each other.

What did you design, a bra or a t-shirt?

Couple of T-Shirts.

What inspired your design?

One is about super power. The other is just another way of expressing the support outside the boundaries of the pink ribbon or the pink bracelet.

Did you take a different approach when designing for cancer survivors (or their supporters) or did you consider them as any other client?

Not really, I wanted to design something for the cause of course, and to translate the message on a t-shirt…but I always had in-mind the style aspect. I wanted to make sure that the result is something that women would buy for both the support of the cause and also because it is something stylish and they would wear. I wanted to make sure it is an addition to their wardrobe, and not just a timely purchase that will be given away… (Basically making sure it doesn’t look like a promotional t-shirt)...

What role do you think fashion can play in the fight against cancer and empowering cancer survivors?

Fashion can do a lot… in addition to financial support, the empowerment comes from having these survivors always in-mind, and so altering some designs to make it comfortable for the survivors to enjoy as well.

How do you view the Middle East as a fashion platform and audience to your creative vision?

The Middle Eastern woman is very stylish and fashionable. I strongly believe that. However, there are some women who are still battling to find their sense of style, and therefore resolve to copy. I believe that my audiences are women who love to experiment, believe in culture and art, and interested in knowing the story behind what they are wearing.

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

Is this event the first time you present your work to Arab audiences? If yes, then what are your expectations and hopes with this first-time participation?

This is the first time I participate in a competition. I honestly have no expectations because I am participating to support the cause, and not to ensure a win. I am here because I hope that a competition like this can start a movement (at least in the ME) to push us as designers and buyers for boutiques to consider collections or designs for survivors of cancer, and to push the envelope on Breast cancer support, finding a cure, pushing early check-ups and importantly eliminating the stigma of thinking of death or of body scarring when it comes to this disease.

As you know, there is a category for aspiring designers in the competition. How would you like to inspire young designers through your participation in Bras for a Cause?

I hope that through my participation, aspiring designers see that it is important to support something they truly relate to or believe in, not only for the design aspect, but also for them as individuals… to give back to their community through something they are good in. It is a great opportunity to pay it forward, as they say.

Windows of Life collection (S/S2011)

Following that experience, would you consider expanding on your Bras for a Cause design and creating collections that speak to cancer survivors in the future?

This is something to consider, at least having the survivors’ challenges in mind when designing a new piece and making sure they are considered.

To keep track of all our exclusive interviews, bookmark CeleBlogs. 

Exclusive! CeleBlog: Angelique Sabounjian on Bras for a Cause

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When we think "Fashion" our minds immediately jump to "clothing". That's the first thing we think about. And then, for some unknown reason, at least in the case of us women, it takes us about five little seconds to shift to accessories. I will not dwell on the rationale behind that mysterious thinking course, but needless to say I was excited to see Bras for a Cause, just like any refined woman, rallying designers from all walks of Fashion.

It will be really interesting to see how each artist, depending on their line of work, expertise and backgrounds, approaches the challenge. After all, even when it comes to apparels, few labels do lingerie.   

Naturally, when I heard über chic Angelique Sabounjian was on board for both a Bra and a T-shirt design, I could not help but be a little intrigued. Pleasantly intrigued, that is. At the end of the day, her elegant label Tasché does offer the finest leather handbags and accessories, but lingerie and clothing remain unusual creations for her.

So who's on board for some brain picking?

The Designer behind the Brand

Angelique Sabounjian

Name, age, nationality and current country of residence

Angelique Sabounjian; 30 years old; Lebanese/Canadian; Residing in Beirut, Lebanon.

What’s your design background?

Jewelry packaging design and Product design. 

Describe yourself in three words

Patient, Free spirited/unconventional, Humble.

Who’s your favorite designer?

Tomas Maier for Bottega Veneta, Hermès designs, Miuccia Prada, Azzedine Alaia, Anya Hindmarch, Alber Elbaz, Rabih Kayrouz, Elie Saab.

What kind of music inspires you?

Jazz, Classical, Latin jazz.

What’s your favorite movie?

La Dolce Vita, 8½ and all Fellini movies, Woody Allen movies, Pedro Almodóvar movies, The curious case of Benjamin Button…among many others.

If you hadn’t been a designer, what profession would you have chosen?

1st choice would be an artist, either a painter or a sculptor. 2nd choice either a chef or sommelier or food and wine critique.

The Brand

Describe your label in three words

High-end, clean cuts, practical.

When did you establish it?

2008.

Tasché Original

Who is your target audience?

Women between the ages 16 to 65.

Tell us a little bit about your creative process: how long does it take for you to create a new collection, what inspires you, how do you choose colors, fabrics, themes?

Each collection takes around 1 to 2 months, and I’m inspired by my daily life, everything that surrounds me, people, friends, music, art, architecture, food, books, magazines, movies, and the list is long. I choose the fabrics & colors according to my inspirations. I don’t like to follow a certain trend. Each phase of my life has inspired each of my collections.

Tasché Original

The Event: Bras for a Cause Middle East

Why did you decide to participate?

Because this is one of the many causes that I would love to contribute to.

What did you design, a bra or a t-shirt?

Both.

What inspired your design?

The bra’s design was inspired by my handbag designs mixed with an 80’s era style and Jean Paul Gautier’s bra for Madonna.

Tasché Original

Did you take a different approach when designing for cancer survivors (or their supporters) or did you consider them as any other client?

I designed the piece that is easy to use both for cancer survivors and non-cancer fighters.

What role do you think fashion can play in the fight against cancer and empowering cancer survivors?

First of all since most women are interested in fashion it can get through to them more easily and second it empowers cancer survivors by not making them feel like their left out of fashion.

How do you view the Middle East as a fashion platform and audience to your creative vision?

In my opinion it is the place to be a fashion designer because talent and appreciation is at its peak. I’m constantly amazed to see all this talent and creativity in the Middle East it is so inspiring to me hence, for me it’s a way of giving back what I’ve been offered and ‘touched’ by.

Is this event the first time you present your work to Arab audiences? If yes, then what are your expectations and hopes with this first-time participation?

Some of my designs have been displayed in the UAE at Sauce and on Aura B. In KSA and Kuwait, they have been presented to private sales and events. My previous experiences were very positive and welcoming. Bras for a Cause stands out to me personally because it’s dear to my heart and it’s not just a fashion event.

Tasché Original

As you know, there is a category for aspiring designers in the competition. How would you like to inspire young designers through your participation in Bras for a Cause?

It’s an honor for me to be able to inspire young designers, I would want them to believe in themselves and let their creativity spread out.

Following that experience, would you consider expanding on your Bras for a Cause design and creating collections that speak to cancer survivors in the future?

Of course I would love that, because as I mentioned earlier my past background was product design and for me just to be able to design any type of product is pure pleasure, especially if it was going to help a lot of women.

To keep track of all our exclusive interviews, bookmark CeleBlogs. 

Exclusive! CeleBlog: Mia Jafari on Bras for a Cause

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There are artists out there, in all walks of art, who master their craft to perfection. They perform to excellence and their skills are undeniably recognized and acclaimed by their peers and the general public alike. Most of them impress with their superior technique and a sparkling imagination.

But isn't it wonderful when such imagination can take us on a trip to an entirely new dimension of colors and shapes?

That's what Mia Jafari can do for your eyes. With a palette collecting the brightest colors, her designs resemble the fabric of dreams. Literally. When I close my eyes, this is what I wish the world would look like!

I was very excited to discover the mind behind all the fun and textures. And indeed, her answers are as fresh as her choice of colors.

Read for yourself.

The Designer behind the Brand

Name, age, nationality and current country of residence

Mia Jafari, 28, UK.

What’s your design background?

I studied at Central Martins and Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Describe yourself in three words

Patient, Unorthodox, Relentless.

Who’s your favorite designer?

Manish Arora.

What kind of music inspires you?

It varies but at the moment I’m listening to a lot of Jazz.

What’s your favorite movie?

Annie Hall.

If you hadn’t been a designer, what profession would you have chosen?

Doing something with Animal Conservation.

Mia Jafari's Cupcake Dress

The Brand

Describe your label in three words

Delirious, playful, alive.

When did you establish it?

2010.

Who is your target audience?

A woman with a playful, liberated spirit.

Tell us a little bit about your creative process: how long does it take for you to create a new collection, what inspires you, how do you choose colors, fabrics, themes?

For the current collection, the idea was taken from Persian carpets, and then luxurious commodities. I looked at Tatler and Vogue and Cartier — I collected this huge library of luxurious objects. Cocktail glasses, earrings, anything beautiful. Once I had created this library of objects, I began to weave them into the carpet designs. The process took 6 months!

Mia Jafari's Strawberry Sour Scarf

The Event: Bras for a Cause Middle East

Why did you decide to participate?

I feel this is a very important cause to support (plus I have always wanted to use my playful prints in underwear!)

What did you design, a bra or a t-shirt?

A bra.

What inspired your design?

I wanted to fuse my colourful prints with seductive underwear to make underwear fun and playful rather than just sexy. I’ll be lots of bright prints, embroidery and embellishment!

Did you take a different approach when designing for cancer survivors (or their supporters) or did you consider them as any other client?

All women want to look fabulous so I considered only one client: a fun loving woman with a great sense of humor.

What role do you think fashion can play in the fight against cancer and empowering cancer survivors?

An important part in drawing awareness to the disease but also support survivors to feel fabulous.

How do you view the Middle East as a fashion platform and audience to your creative vision?

I have been truly amazed by the fabulous boutiques and style in the Middle East. I love the fact that the Middle East is such a melting pot of so many design influences. Middle Eastern women have a great sense of style which is fun, sexy, experimental yet elegant. They are never boring!

Is this event the first time you present your work to Arab audiences? If yes, then what are your expectations and hopes with this first-time participation?

This is the first time I have presented to Arab audiences. I hope the Arab audiences enjoy the humor and playfulness in my designs.

As you know, there is a category for aspiring designers in the competition. How would you like to inspire young designers through your participation in Bras for a Cause?

I would like to inspire young designers to follow their own vision – to find their own sense of style and to embrace it.

Following that experience, would you consider expanding on your Bras for a Cause design and creating collections that speak to cancer survivors in the future?

I don’t like the idea of singling out cancer survivors, what makes them different from a non cancer survivor in spirit? Rather I would like to create a collection that supports the awareness of the disease to as many people as possible.

Mia Jafari's Midnight Mojito Scarf

Embroidery detail inspired by Mia Jafari's Cupcake Dress

Yes, I know what you're thinking: after only a couple of chats with Joe Challita and Mia Jaafari it has become clear the competition is looking seriously tough and gorgeous as ever! One thing is for sure, I don't envy the judges right now.

To keep track of all our exclusive interviews, bookmark CeleBlogs.