Funny Footie

I have always played football in school. And then a little bit after that in uni, but I guess you can say football is evident in my life, in my relationships, and in my family. It didn't help that I attended a million and one Arsenal football matches when I was still a student. So now that I am back in my island, I find myself wonderfully suprised to play 4 times a week. I am a proud member of the Arsenal Soccer School, where we train once a week and play a game once a week. I also co-organize an all girls football match every week 'soup a stars' right now we are up to 22 members, and now am planning my first mixed football game in honour of good friend Mohammed Barca Alawadi. I was searching for images online for the group event, and I came across such funny football images, thought they might be fun to share.

My TV first

I finally have a few hours set aside to catch up with my blogging. My life has seemed to take off in such a rapid rate since I made the move back home. One of the most exciting developments of my career was to appear on live television for the very first time. Even though Hala Bahrain is a local morning show, it was still an incredible experience to be able to discuss my work and recent project developments on a live show for the very first time. I had to be on set at about 8 am where I got makeup and hair done. I was terrified and really nervous, it was insane. Everyone was a little worried including Duaa my PR director who was running around getting me water and trying to find me biscuits to calm me down. I had written all my potential answers in Arabic the night before and practiced all night with my mom and after that by myself in front of the mirror.

But as soon as they were ready for slot, I walked into the studio away from the chaos of hair and makeup into the complete silence of the studio. It was fantastic. Once on the large couch I relaxed and just tried to have a conversation with Noor , the presenter. My Arabic was not as good as I hoped, but I remember feeling so great afterwards and scheming how to get on TV again. I really want to thank everyone who saw the show from Kuwait, Saudi, Oman, and all my Bahraini buddies who showed support by texting/facebooking/emailing.

More to come on Obai and Hill projects!

Behind the Scenes of the Fran Shoot

Here are some collective of shots of behind scene footage of the Fran shoot. Myself and the features editor styled and photographed our model and muse of the moment Fran for the newly launched Sketchbook Blog. Follow our blog and let us know your thoughts on the shoot ! We were going for a very relaxed natural blogeresce feel. We shot Fran in our local Kensington street next to the colourful doors and clean pavements. Being behind the camera was such a great experience, can't wait to do it again.

Shooting with Fran

My comrade and partner in crime, Luma Bashmi snapped up these lovely photos of me shooting our model and muse of the moment Fran from her blackberry. It was the first time Luma and I styled and shot together and it was a euphoric experience being behind the camera and shooting in our Notting Hill area. The photos will be up on the Sketchbook Magazine Blog but keep watching this space as we update it everyday - at least a few times a day. Give us your rants, raves, comments on the new magazine blog.

Behind The Scenes of the Harmatia Collection

Miniu by Obai and Bash - Behind The Scenes

We're all aware of celebrity news and their fashion lines. Its not hot news that collaborating with a Target and Kitson is the norm and has spiraled a million young fashionista's to launch their own lines with little or no experience. Seeing as I am telling off those who dare venture into fashion design territory without a degree I'm afraid I myself am venturing into the fashion unknown. Well not really unknown. Other than flogging myself into the industry back in my student days and working in fashion for the past year I am finally going to tip-toe into the realm of design armed with my partners Miniu and Luma B. We are armed with conceptual thoughts, sketches on loose paper, and pins to nip and tuck.

Our line is not one with schedule or focused on trend. Rather its become a collaborative experiential ritual where we meet to discuss notes on pattern cutting, tailoring, prints and fabrics in our Notting Hill loft enjoying the process of turning sketches into samples. Miniu and I have worked on numerous projects together meeting over the years to test ideas in architecture and fashion late into the nights of a Green Park Starbucks but I think this would be the first time we are able to find rhythm for our concepts. I took some snaps of our last meet so you can catch glimpses of our attention to detail and train of thought.

Sketches