Princess Deena al-Juhani Abdulaziz: On looking forward to 2013

My final guest of the "On looking forward to 2013" series is the lovely Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz. Princess Deena is the founder of D'NA, a specially curated, members-only fashion boutique in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that offers a selection of international brands while providing a space for stimulating cultural projects. When I first met Princess Deena in NY during fashion week, I was surprised that she even knew who I was. I mean I can't imagine how many faces and names she has to remember as part of her royal duties, not to mention all the retail players with whom she does business with to stock D'NA. Really impressive! I was even more impressed by her wit, charm, and of course by her enthusiasm for fashion and style. To see what's on her radar for 2013....

What did 2012 teach you?
Patience and more Patience ... And how amazing it is to make new friends.

Three words you would like to use more often in the New Year.
Keep your options open.

Someone you would like to thank while 2012 is still here.
My children for keeping me real.

Someone you would like to meet in 2013.
Well I would like to have dinner with Sade and Tilda Swinton ... even better if together. ;) And would love to meet the photographer William Klein.

A trip you will definitely take in the new year.
A new destination:

Budapest
Zanzibar
Peru
Scandinavia
Queensland Australia

The first piece you will add to your wardrobe in the new year.
A bubble gum, floor length, kilt dress from Christopher Kane’s resort collection.

Your top project for 2013.
The opening of our 2nd store in Doha.

What would you like to improve about yourself in the new year?
Would love to make more time to spend with my loved ones and make more time for reading my growing pile of books.

Your first e-mail or text of the new year. Who are you writing it to?
Probably to my office, looool.

The dish that won’t be missing from your new year's table.
Chocolate cake because that's always a good start to a new year.

The soundtrack to your new year.
The Kills, “DNA”
Ultra Nate, “Free”
INXS, New Sensation
Curtis Mayfield, “Move on Up”
Sade, “Paradise”
Jack White, “I'm Shakin”
Prince, “U Got the Look”  

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In Italiano

Cosa ti ha insegnato il 2012?

Pazienza e poi ancora pazienza... e quanto sia incredibile farsi nuovi amici.

Tre parole che vorresti usare più spesso nell’anno nuovo.

Tante possibilità aperte.

Una persona che ti piacerebbe ringraziare finché il 2012 è ancora qui.

I miei figli, perché mi fanno restare con i piedi per terra.

La persona che ti piacerebbe incontrare nel 2013.

Mi piacerebbe andare a cena con Sade e Tilda Swinton... ancora meglio se tutt’e due insieme ;) E vorrei tanto conoscere il fotografo William Klein.

Un viaggio che farai sicuramente nel nuovo anno.

Quello verso una nuova meta:

Budapest

Zanzibar

Perù

Scandinavia,

Queensland Australiano...

Il primo pezzo che metterai in guardaroba nel nuovo anno.

Dalla collezione resort di Christopher Kane, un maxidress a kilt rosa caramella.

Il tuo progetto top per il 2013.

L’apertura del nostro secondo negozio, a Doha.

In cosa ti piacerebbe migliorare nel nuovo anno?

Vorrei tanto trovare più tempo da passare con le persone che amo, e per affrontare la pila sempre più alta dei libri da leggere.

La prima e-mail del nuovo anno. A chi la scrivi?

Probabilmente al mio ufficio... LOL.

Il piatto che non può mancare sulla tua tavola di capodanno.

Una torta al cioccolato, perché è sempre un buon modo di cominciare il nuovo anno.

La colonna sonora del tuo capodanno.

The Kills, “DNA”
Ultra Nate, “Free”
INXS, New Sensation
Curtis Mayfield, “Move on Up”
Sade, “Paradise”
Jack White, “I'm Shakin”
Prince, “U Got the Look”  

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Miroslava Duma: On looking forward to 2013

To celebrate the incredible year that 2012 turned out to be and to welcome the promise that 2013 holds, I reached out to some of the women who inspire me the most to find out their thoughts on 2012 and goals for 2013.  My eighth guest is the one and only Miroslava Duma: mother of sweet little George, founder of the highly successful Russian website Buro 24/7, budding apparel entrepreneur, and dear, dear friend. To find up what's next for Buro and see more of her amazing looks...

What did 2012 teach you?

To be more patient, to be wiser, to dedicate more time to family and close friends, and that hard work pays off in the end.

Three words you would like to use more often in the New Year.

Happy, successful, healthy.

Someone you would like to thank while 2012 is still here.

My amazing family! My parents, my husband and my beautiful son.

Someone you would like to meet in 2013.

I would have loved to meet Michael Jackson my favorite singer, and I was so lucky to meet and establish a friendship this year with his long time stylist Rushka Bergman. After hours of story telling by Rushka, it feels like I've been able to meet him in a way.

A trip you will definitely take in the new year.

My Favorite city in the world, New York!

The first piece you will add to your wardrobe in the new year.

Definitely something from Balenciaga's upcoming collection.

Your top project for 2013.

My internet project Buro247.ru. We are launching an English version in the new year so I really hope you all stay tuned and read us daily!

What would you like to improve about yourself in the new year?

I would like to arrive at my meetings on time:). And,  I'm also very emotional, very honest and up front. So I  would like to learn how to control my emotions better . :-)

Your first e-mail or text of the new year. Who are you writing it to?

Should be an email to Buro 24/7’s  editor-in-chief ;).

The dish that wont' be missing from your new year's table.

In Russia we have a very traditional New Years table with a duck or chicken roast, a Russian potato salad, roasted potatoes and many other traditional dishes. But this year we are in the Middle East so I am not sure what sort of dishes we will be tasting!

The soundtrack to your new year.

It’s by the Russian singer Gregoriy Leps. I was in love with all of his songs this year. :-)

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A Conversation, BAZAAR: Joyann King & Tamu McPherson

I was so happy when my friend Joyann King emailed me to ask whether I would be interested in participating in Harper's Bazaar's new web video series A Conversation, BAZAAR. I was left completely flattered when I found out, in a later e-mail, that the series would feature conversations between Bazaar editors and the women who inspire them. Me inspire Joyann? Cheeks tingling, wow! I've always admired her, not only because she's the type of person that instinctively looks out for others; but also because she's super-sharp and is extremely knowledgeable about all things fashionable on the web. Here's our conversation, hope you enjoy. XO, Tamu

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Gaia Venuti, Pretty Bird

Before the Italian holidays, I had the pleasure of shooting my friend Gaia and asking her a few questions about her style. Gaia is the insane eye behind Bahama Mama. She inspires me everyday, and I'm sure she will inspire you too. Enjoy!

 

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Where were you born, and when did you move to Milan?

I was born in Florence; I’ve lived in Milan since 2000.

You have an amazing eye for fashion and design. Tell me 5 memories from your childhood/teenage years that influenced your eye.

My dad has been making shoes since forever, and my playroom at home was his office, with his pattern books on display.

When I was six, we were in London and we saw some punks passing by. I told my dad: “I’m going to do that job when I’m a grownup”.

When I was four, and until I was fourteen, I began working for a Florentine fashion agency. I modeled for fashion magazine shoots (but I was also the one helping the stylist).

I changed the layout of my room every single day, which drove my mom crazy.

In the afternoon I arranged shows with my schoolmates, dressing them up and teaching them how to be “on stage”.

I have always gone with my dad on his business trips. I was absorbing fashion and style every single day.

Your mom and dad must have wonderful style. What do you like most about their personal styles?

In my mom’s, the fact that she doesn’t have a defined style, but she’s able to wear anything while never appearing out of place.

About my dad, besides him being objectively a cool guy, I love his ability to mix with absolute ease Tom Ford, Converse and Armani.

  

--> You have some beautiful tattoos. How many do you have, and how old were you when you got the first one?

You can’t count them, they’re big pieces done over time. I got the first when I was 13.

What draws you to tattoos? What do you tell yourself when people point at you because of them?

They’re my most beautiful clothes... every time I get a new one it’s like I’m working on completing my outfit.

When people point at me, I just think that superficiality has no limits... you should judge souls, not skins.

You have an important vintage archive: when did you start collecting?

At 13, when I asked for my first pair of Prada shoes as a gift.

What do you look for when vintage shopping? Do you have a favorite decade?

I look for whatever catches my fancy and my attention. Every decade has something that moves me.

Your 5 favorite pieces in your vintage collection.

A silver micro-sequins Chanel jacket worn only once by Claudia Schiffer.

A Chanel mini bag (10 pieces made) decorated with piercings.

An Hermes silk blouse with allover print.

An Hermes belt with gold elephants buckle.

A cheetah fur coat from the early 70s which was my mom’s.

You have an amazing eye for antique objects too. How many do you have? What do you like about collecting objects?

It’s impossible to count them!

My favorite by far is Fornasetti (Piero, not Barbaba).

Vintage teapots and tea cups.

Capodimonte ceramics.



Antique dentures from the 19^th century.

Ceramics reproductions of human body parts and animals.

Antique jewelry.

 

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What inspired you to open Bahama Mama?

I simply made real what I saw in my dreams.

How long did it take to complete the project?

Less than I thought! I found the place and within a few months everything was ready.

How much of your style do we see in your space?

100%... it’s my second home, every corner speaks of me.

You created a truly special place for women in Milan. What is, in your opinion, the significance of the relationships shared between women?

I think women have so much to tell and possess a peerless inner strength, let alone their ability to express themselves through their body and style.

My ambition is to debunk the myth of our being jealous of one another and of our not being genuine with each other. I wish we could become more and more trusting.

Any new projects for the future?

Actually, yes... in October I will open a new space in Milan, still dedicated mainly (but not exclusively) to the feminine world, where every one of us will be able to express her truest, most feminine and secret part. But I can’t disclose anything more right now... Stay tuned!!

 

Outfit details:

Look 1: D&G baby-doll dress, Christian Louboutin peep-toe platforms.  

Look 2: Vintage t-shirt, Blumarine skirt, Celine Shoes.

Please follow Gaia on Grazia.it, she's one of our newest "It Girls".

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Firenze 4 Ever: Tiany Kiriloff

This weekend while in Florence for a meeting at Luisa Via Roma, I had the great pleasure of catching up with some of my favorite style bloggers and fashionistas like Tiany Kiriloff of Belmodo. Based in Belgium, the mother of two beautiful little girls, journalist, author and tv-host, she is a huge source of inspiration for me. I have no idea how she does it all. I'm also a mother, have my position at Grazia.it, try really hard to maintain All the Pretty Birds, but lately I've been feeling super exhausted. Instead, whenever I bump into Tiany she's totally full of energy and super encouraging. It was soooo good seeing her this weekend. For a little on her experience at Firenze 4 Ever and a glimpse of some of her favorite things...

So tell me, is this your first time in Florence?

It's my very first time in Florence and I'm delighted to be here, it's amazing, but I love Italy, I even got married here :) In Ravello...

What did you do yesterday?

Yesterday I went to The Mall and I bought some dresses at Prada, amazing prices and great finds!

 What do you think about the Luisa Via Roma event Firenze 4 Ever?

It's so professional, well organized and a great chance to meet lovely people and I mean... it's the candy shop... all the ab fab designer dresses and shoes and bags... 

Was it different from what you expected?

I tend to not have many expectations as I like to just go with the flow and see where it takes me.

Do you know what you'll be styling?

I like colors and prints and I'll probably be using some Marni in my styling... not sure yet, I guess for now I'm just consuming all these lovely images of all these pretty ladies and people and Im actually just enjoying the sun on the LVR terrace... styling will be for tomorrow.

What are your travel plans for the Summer?

This Summer I'll be surfing...going to Fuerte Ventura with the hubby and kids... relaxxxx and chill and I'll also be at the Belgian version of Forte dei Marmi.

What's your favorite on-line shop?

So many amazing sites, I like shoescribe.com and ln-cc.com and the marni.com site :) and of course luisaviaroma.com as they do free shipping.

What's your favorite shop in Belgium?

In Belgium La Vie en Rose and Dries Van Noten, there's also Smets in Brussels which is huge and has an extraordinary amount of brands and best shoe shop ever is Coccodrillo... I think you'd love it!
 

What's your theme song?

Lily Wood and The Prick: My Best

Favorite breakfast? Dinner?

Fav breakfast is pancakes, I'm a sweet tooth and well I love eating and I'm kind of a carnivore, so a lovely piece of meat is always good for me ;).

Who or what do you love the most?

I love the most fooling around with my girls and playing kid while they're mom and dad... really funny how they put on my high heels and dad's shoes...

What color do you see when you look at your girls?

I see bright hues of blue.... like the skies and the reflecting azure blue sea...

Tiany wears a Marni dress and Miu Miu sunglasses.

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