Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Chic Lady 2012

In October I visited "Chic Lady", a yearly show held at ADNEC (Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center in October). My client Mona was exhibiting there with her beautiful shop "Creme de la Creme" . Her first Dr. Vranjes order arrived just in time to display some of our products which blended beautifully with the shop's floral decoration.
The space was a loyal reproduction of the original shop's atmosphere: a romantic rococo style that with unique flower arrangements and a wonderful selection of European brands personally selected by the owner of the shop during her travelling. 
Every visitor was captured by the beauty of the "LOVE" sign, made out of fresh flowers, and the astonishing swan decoration, created using candid white roses' petals. 

 
It was a privilege for us to be part of this event with Creme de la Creme.

From our range of Dr. Vranjes' fragrances, Creme de la Creme selected 2 scents "Collezione" (collection) and a novelty 2012:

-The timeless "Rosso Nobile" in its decanter gift packaging, one of the world's favorites, featured in the most prestigious 5star hotels in the world (the Hermitage of Montecarlo, the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo and the Salviatino in Florence).
- Calvado's, a sophisticated scent inspired to the precious distillate, created by blending the purest essences of apples and combining them with aromatic notes of tannins of oak wood and fresh floral scent which call to mind landscapes in the Normandy region.
- Cuoio & Radica, a pure design for the sense of scent that is increasingly becoming one of the #1 in the Gulf region: the elegance of orange blossom, violet leaves and freesia is cleverly combined with the virility of cedar, briar woods and patchouli leaves which blend with the surprisingly notes of leather, amber and vanilla.

Creme de la Creme introduced its new brand with a visual presentation of Dr. Vranjes Firenze: the Duomo cathedral with its unique cupola represents the made in Italy- made in Florence origin of the maison and a picture of Dr. Paolo Vranjes at work in its laboratory reminds us how these artisanal fragrances distinguish themselves from the other industrial fragrance productions. 

Chic Lady 2012 for me has not just been an occasion to visit a client. Talking and sharing thoughts with Mona (the lovely Emirati lady who owns and runs the shop) quickly become a chance to meet a new friend and understand more about the local culture and its fascinating mysterious world. 
The exhibition was visited and held mostly by local women and I was given the opportunity of a small wonderful intrusion in their exclusive world. The exhibitors displayed everything for the arab woman: from precious abayas, sheilas to make-up, decorations and wedding dresses. 


I found myself intrigued by the evening fashion shows. Below you can see some pictures of those moments.

I was attracted to it, but at the same time I couldn't avoid feeling a certain discomfort. There was something that was just not right for my western perspective, a screeching detail that I could not just figure out...

...I knew there was something.....


...and as I fell in love with each of these abayas I finally realize what it was:

This fashion show has the power to fascinate and amaze me while actually covering pretty much the whole body of the models. My deviated western perspective was expecting something provocative and extreme from a fashion show. I realized I needed a little cultural adjustment in order to appreciate this different way of presenting beauty.

Each woman wearing an abaya is charming in her own way. Just like enchanting can be the simple gesture of fixing a sheila around their head and discovering the precious details of these traditional yet fashionable clothes.


Thank you Creme de la Creme for the great opportunity to be part, even for just a few hours, of this magic lustrous world of amazing women. 

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