THE eniGma BLOG

POSTED BY ELIZABETH HAMPTON

One of my favourite things about working at eniGma is that I get a first look at some of the coolest things happening in Cairo. So you can imagine how pleased I was when Mona Said of the venerable SafarKhan  invited me to a sneak preview of the gallery’s latest exhibition, ‘Politica’ by Ahmed Kassim. “You’ve got to see this,” she said, “He has such an unusual and interesting take on what’s happening in Egypt.”

And so, I went…

To describe Ahmed Kassim’s work as cerebral is to put it lightly. Somewhat mind-boggling, his paintings take a while to absorb and leave a remarkable impression. Each is layered in political statements, satire, and sly and not so sly critiques of the Egyptian state and society. His paintings are conceptual but not obvious, liberated yet cohesive, decisive and arbitrary all at the same time. This is no accident. “It’s so important that the art is something human,” explains Kassim. “If it’s too perfect or too planned, it’s not art. The painting must maintain a soul.”

"Media" by Ahmed Kassim

Yet amid the apparent chaos lies a powerful message. Take, for example, the piece above, entitled “Media”. At first glance, it’s a wild morass of seemingly unrelated images; buckets of chicken float down arteries leading to Tahrir Square; flying saucers loom in the background and appear to invade Cairo; cars are climbing buildings. However, if you step back and examine the painting from afar, the overall ideas becomes more clear: the piece is all about scenes, or more accurately, how the same scenes are recurring in Egypt, be it protest, violence, political instability, or power struggles. Kassim captures this idea by framing the piece as though it were from the view of a director.  And why the flying saucers? “Anything is possible right now,” Kassim says with a laugh.

"Snake and Ladder" by Ahmed Kassim

And then there are the three game pieces. Each uses a relic from childhood to show how life in Egypt has become controlled and contrived. A red throne motif appears in each painting as a symbol of the Egyptian presidential seat, often attainable by dubious measures. For example, in the painting “Snake and Ladder”, inspired by the board game “Shoots and Ladders”, it is  a snake, not a ladder, that leads to the throne. Each piece ties in fragments of Egyptian life: in “Pac-Man” the character chases after bread, a staple of Egyptian society and life. “Snakes and Ladders” highlights corruption of high government officials with coins, and “Driver” is reminiscent of Cairo’s ubiquitous traffic — if Cairo’s ubiquitous traffic were to deliver a political message.

Still, one of the most striking pieces is  one with a more obvious message. Admittedly, I didn’t see it at first. However, when I did, I couldn’t stop looking.

"Utopia" by Ahmed Kassim

In the middle of canvas lie three women. At first glance, the eye notices just one. But look harder, and you’ll see all three; they create the landscape and topography of Cairo. Look closer and you noticed the women are abused by society, by men, by the military, by the city. And it’s not just the three figurative women that suffer abuse: on billboards, women are either over-sexualised and objectified or hidden underneath veils with cryptic messages inscribed beside them.

Still, what’s most fascinating about this painting is that Kassim conceputalised it before “revolution” was even a buzzword in Egypt. “I had a blonde-haired friend who was on a bus to a resort in the Sinai, and this man kept harassing her,” recalls Kassim, “Finally, she exploded at him in Arabic. Instead of defending her, everyone else in the bus joined this man in harassing her.” Because of this incident, Kassim was inspired to do a piece that addressed women and society.

And then the infamous “blue-bra” incident occurred, as if further set this idea in motion. Though “Utopia” is about society a large scale societal problem more than it is what happened that day in Tahrir, Kassim does include a small army figure moving to step in the face of a woman.

Ahmed Kassim’s work will be on exhibit at the SafarKhan Gallery in Zamalek from February 1-24. Following it’s Cairo debut, the exhibition will travel to Frankfurt, Germany, where it will be featured in the festival of Egyptian culture that’s running in tandem with the “Tutankhamun” exhibition.

POSTED BY HASSAN HASSAN

Life has a way of working out. Throwing little silver linings your way and unexpected surprises that makes life worth living. Like McDonalds. Sure Cairo seems to be trying on a London ensemble with the weather, it’s phenomenally crowded due to drizzling and people have managed to yell about the same thing for a year. But sometimes you’ll wake up at 6am to find the SAG Red Carpets unexpectedly on E!

I am not usually awake at 6am. On the contrary, but thanks to the flu and my puppy, 5:30am was the place to be this morning. While I was understandably slightly suicidal, because 5am is never a good look, I had my midnight snack breakfast, made coffee and hoped there would be a good True Hollywood Story. Instead to my joy Giuiliana Ransic and Kelly Osbourne were incredibly peppy for seven in the morning. Giuliana was possessed because this was Ryan Seacrest’s day off. She seemed elated that she was finally E!’s foremost host and looked great in Basil Soda. Kelly was still sporting geriatric hair, but looked great in a slinky white Badgley Mischka dress. Far better than Golden Globes Kel, now if only we can think about actually having a semblance of colour in your hair.

Kelly Osbourne in Badgley Mischka

The dresses are just the icing on the cake. Making fun of people’s clothing is literally the tip of the mockery iceberg. You’re spoiled for choice with the awkward exchanges that take place. Whether it’s Giuliana being incredibly strange with the celebrities, the celebrities in the background looking each other up and down before breaking out into rounds of air kissing. I also love the beleaguered look of the entourages. They seem harassed and annoyed beyond belief, as if all they can picture is waking up the day after the Oscars and finally having their life back. One person devoid of an entourage was Octavia Spencer, supporting actress of The Help, who I have to say looks really good considering everything she is working with. I watched The Help on a plane back to Cairo and really liked her in it (it also really upset me that I related to black women oppressed in the 1960s, I chalked it down to my return to Egypt). My liking her might make me biased, but the colour looks good with her skin, it’s really perfect for her body and ladies on the plus side of the spectrum should take quite a few notes.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Woah! Viola Davis up in the house. Love me a black girl in a white dress. Marchesa, when done simply, is great, and this dress is amazing on her. Look at the twins, that’s some great Help she’s getting there. She is also gracious and well-spoken and manages not to roll her eyes at Giuliana. Giuliana is that awkward friend that comes up to the lunch table and talks incessantly, only to receive one word answers from the cool kids. She will then just remain seated and join the group only through osmosis.

Viola Davis in Marchesa

Then we had a strong African American female who disappointed me. There is nothing I love more than a curvy girl with attitude. It is unfortunate that this attitude took shape in a massive bow on her bosom. Sweetheart, if you are top heavy (you are in fact all heavy) then there is no reason to add. She looked great in red at the Golden Globes, but this big old bow was hard to pull off for Charlize Theron, so seeing it on Mercedes from Glee was more woah then wow.

Amber Riley in Badgley Mishka

Amber Riley in Badgley Mischka at the Golden Globes 2012

Then it was time for the other Glee girls. I do not in fact remember any amusing anecdotes from Giuliana, Kelly or the other dude they bought on (who forced me to turn down the volume from the screeching. It was after all 7am), just wishing E! would get better camera men, these three people would shut up and could Ryan Seacrest please come back. I still wanted to punch Lea Michelle, but appreciated the effort of the dress. She looked better than she did in the Marchesa at the Golden Globes, despite the large shoes.  Diana Argon cannot match colours and should leave her hair alone. Such a waste of pretty. That bitchy one (Savana? Santana?) looks amazing. She is what every Egyptian girl aspires to be when she goes to a wedding… only this Serena (no, that’s Gossip Girl… Sienna?) character actually did it right.

Lea Michelle in Versace

Dianna Argon in Carolina Herrera

Naya Rivera in Naeem Khan

Then it was time for the heavy hitters. Michelle Williams in Valentino; I cannot speak of her. Everything about her annoys me. Her mouth, her humility, her demeanor… ukh, my head hurts just thinking about it. I try to like her; I have spent many hours attempting to give her a chance. It just doesn’t work. She just irritates me. The weird neckline of the lace and the dress also annoyed me. It was such a pointless twist; and then the length of the dress with her long toes poking out of those sandals. So. Annoying.

Michelle Williams in Valentino

I’ve been ok with Rose Byrne for a while. She’s so pretty generally. Then I saw her this time and I couldn’t decide. The Anna Wintour bob, the strange glittery jumpsuit. I loved it. I hated it. I liked her, because she was so humble and soft spoken. I hated it. I loved the risk? I remain unsure.

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Ooh, Sofia Vergera and the blonde one from Modern Family. They both don’t act by the way; they are exactly the same as they are on the show. So technically they don’t deserve acting accolades, when essentially they play themselves. Vergara was, as always, charming and funny. Giuliana asked her what parts of her body she hated. She hesitated for a good minute. Things got awkward and she tried very hard to think of something she doesn’t like (as. if.) How dare Giuliana ask her that? It’s beyond awkward. When she didn’t answer, G moved on to asking her what her favourite body part was. She said her eyes. Then she complained that her phenomenal boobs were always stealing the spotlight from her fantastic ass. Then as she was leaving she almost tripped. The trip can only be attributed to millions of females hating her as she sashayed down the stairs. That Sofia is called 3een.

Sofia Vergera in Marchesa

Julie Bowen in Temperley

Then Kirsten Wigg ruined Balenciaga with a horrible choker. Zoe Saldana walked down the red carpet in Givenchy Haute Couture that had just been shown in Paris Fashion Week 5 minutes ago. She looked smug (rightly so) and stunning. Emma Stone in McQueen, how unexpected and refreshing. Angelina Jolie arrived and looked great in slinky inky Jenny Packham. Look at her earring; they’re “vintage” and really worked. Also she was really charming and gracious as Giuliana and the other guy got closer and closer to her on the red carpet. They both looked equally stunned and like they were wanted to take turns licking her neck. She also answered the inane questions without sufficiently lashing out. I thought “Are you more interested in baseball now that Brad Pitt was in Moneyball?” would warrant an icy eyebrow raise and a taut response. She was so smiley and funny. Aww, Angie, you’re not an ice Queen. Oh onslaught of celebrities! Get ready to be overwhelmed.

Kirsten Wigg in Balanciaga

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Haute Couture

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham

Natalie Portman in Giambattista Valli

Tina Fey in Versace

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Diane Lane in David Meister

Julianna Margulies in Calvin Klein

Giuliana was now raving and picturing all of Ryan Seacrest’s money in her bank account. Kelly was overwhelmed with all the fashion. “It’s going to be a tough night G!” she trilled emphatically. I unfortunately had to go get ready for work, worried that I had all this to say and no one to say it to. So you get a blog. Don’t get used to it, Awards Season is a special time and I have an opinion, one which unfortunately I can’t keep to myself…

POSTED BY HEND SAFYELDIN

It was a busy Monday, and I’d just been asked to go to another press conference — this time for Flake Chocolate.  I had no expectations going in and was actually a little stressed to have this added to my schedule.  My aim was to get the info needed, eat my chocolate and get out.

Boy, was I in for a surprise.

The press conference took my breath away (how often do you hear those words in the same sentence?). Chocolate, jewelry and fashion… what more could a girl ask for?

The event took place in a tunnel-like structure made specially by Flake, Cadbury for the press conference. The goal of this structure was to have  everything that women might want to  indulge on in one place. It was the ideal world of indulgence. When  I entered the tunnel, I stood there for a few seconds absolutely stunned. The first thought that came to my mind was “Paradise”.

Flake Chocolate = Perfection

That’s when I decided to leave all my worries behind and enjoy this sweet utopia (no pun intended). I first went to the chocolate bar, which featured everything from Flake chocolate milk shakes to Flake chocolate fountains to Flake brownies. I took a milkshatke (it was bliss) and sat on a massage chair — that’s right, I said MASSAGE CHAIR.  Although there were many people inside, but felt completely alone; I was trapped in the moment, just me, my chocolate shake, and the massage chair.

It gets better. I then noticed two slide shows, one for jewelry and one for clothes. I thought these were just displays — you know, an added touch.  But then I realized there was a video camera and that I could actually try on the clothes and jewelry virtually. The whole reason I fell in love with the movie “Clueless” was because Cher (Alicia Silverstone) could in fact try on anything in her wardrobe on her PC. This was simply a dream come true. I explored the selection of fashionable jewelry available in the tunnel, made by the very best of Egyptian designers, and behold, it was fabulous!

I even got a boa!

But just like that, my journey concluded. I had to go back to work. It was as if  someone had woken me up in the middle of an amazing dream. I left the event wanting to tell each and every women in the world about my overwhelming experience — I felt like I owed it to them. But now that I’ve written this blog, my conscious is free.

POSTED BY ESRAA HEGAZY

A couple of months ago, I saw “Bridesmaids”. I fell in love. Then I got obsessed. Most movies produced by the people behind “Super Bad” or “Knocked Up” are more or less directed to men. But this was different. And I stress on the word “different”. I found the movie quite hilarious and refreshing. Simply because we all relate to that crazy jealous woman who wants to be the number one person in her best friend’s life. At least I do.

The storyline isn’t that original, but what is? Recently Hollywood has been proving that nothing is original. They do their own re-hashing of their own ideas on a regular basis, which is not so bad. But that’s a side issue. As I was manipulating the many ways I could use and abuse Google before SOPA takes it away, I came across this…

Look familiar?

For months, I’ve been even bugging Omnia Zaied, eniGma’s deputy editor, to watch “Bridesmaids”, but I’m pretty sure the poster above ruined it for her. This poster for Ghada Abdel Razik’s new film “Raklam” is not just offensive; it’s an EXACT replica of my last year’s obsession! Believing that they might have even copied not only the poster but the story as well, I watched the trailer. The upside is that it didn’t rip off the story. Some sense was bestowed upon them, and they realised imitating the poster would be quite enough. But the irony is, the story is light years away from what the poster implies. Abdel Razik, for starters, is not a bride, nor are these women her ‘bridesmaids’. The movie actually discusses what women do to earn a living when poverty strikes. The only explanation is that they used this poster to be utterly symbolic. Which I doubt.

This isn’t the first time Egyptian cinema has imitated posters (and story lines for that matter). The fact that production companies here undermine the intelligence of Egyptian audiences is quite sad. Hence the photo display below:

Kartell shoes

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to stock up on fun pastels. We love this Kartell pump, available at Amuse. The perfect complement to this spring’s trends, you can mix and match this pump with fun floral prints or understated solids.

Amuse

15 Ismail Mohamed Street, Zamalek, Cairo

Tel: + 02 2737 2345

Clutch C by Cynthia

Glam meets grunge in this fabulous little clutch, designed by Beirut’s C by Cynthia.  We love the way the crystal-embellished skull fuses edge with elegance, making it the perfect accessory for a LBD or a pair black pumps. Yummy!

Clutch available at Seccar Nabet: +(2) 011 2477 7224 or jaida@seccarnabet.net

POSTED BY ELIZABETH HAMPTON

Now that Hassan Hassan has dissected every last stitch and seam of coveted and not-so-coveted Golden Globe attire, I — the  lowly critic that I am — enter the blogosphere to shed light on a more nuanced, localized portion of the evening’s attire. If Hassan’s fabulous blog was “Golden Globes Couture 101″, we’ll call this one  ”Special Topics in Golden Globes Couture: The Arab Designer”. Given this year’s trends, it’s going to read something like your econ textbook: not until Chapter 4, or in this case Georges Chakra, do things really get interesting.

The dresses were, in a word, boring. Celebs that weren’t playing it safe, appeared to have taken complete leave of their senses, a.k.a. the disastrous bottom-half of Madonna’s gown. More on that later. Beige and nude tones were worn on an epidemic scale, and I’m not just talking about the stylings of our favourite Arab designers: Amy Poehler looked utterly unflattering in Naeem Khan, Emily Watson looked like a spinster in Giorgio Armani, and Kristen Wiig  faded into the background in Bill Blass (I would provide pictures as evidence, but these get-ups are hardly worth the time it takes to upload and crop). It’s as though everyone got together and planned a diabolic revolt against anything with pigment. Other than to honour the favoured suite colour of the late Kim Jong-Il, I can’t begin to fathom a reason why. Whatever the cause, like a moth to a dimly – and I mean dimly – lit flame, our favourite designers and celebs all flocked to beige.

Diane Lane in Reem Acra & Neil Lane

There is a lot right with this dress. The cut, the accents, the fabric – it’s all lovely. But why the nude tone? This colour is the equivalent of drinking a virgin margarita: it tastes okay, but is really only half the fun. It’s hardly worth the calories.  I would go on, but what else can one say about such a colour? Plus, I have more photos. See below.

Julie Bowen in Reem Acra

I get to say this, because I too am a blonde: people of our colouring should not wear beige, unless you’re Heidi Klum, and therefore look fabulous wearing in everything.

Julie Bowen and I may not have much in common, but we do share certain tone qualities. However, unlike Julie, I have spent most of my life trying to hide the fact that my features are decidedly pale and washed out. One tactic that has proven exceptionally effective is to avoid beige as though it were e.coli-laden spinach. This is a gorgeous dress, but it’s not living up to its full potential. Love to Julie, and congrats on “Modern Family”, though.

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab

I think she’s wearing a wedding gown. Moreover, I think she’s wearing a see-through wedding gown. No, really. I think I can see her drawers. Only Kate Moss can get away with that. It even has a train. This is a classic case of ‘coming off an engagement high’. So Justin proposed. Big whoop. We’re all excited and jealous, but must you rub it in our faces? From the looks of things, I sense Jessica will be one of those brides who turns her wedding into an entire year’s affair. You know the type. They expect you to fly to Trinidad for their bachelorette party, France for their couples shower, Buckingham Palace for the all-ladies brunch. Real fun.

Giuliana Rancic in Basil Soda

I love Giuliana Rancic, and I love this Basil Soda. Giuliana looks fabulous. And do you know why she looks fabulous? Because she’s got the secret ingredient to pulling off this colour: Italian heritage. Unlike Julie Bowen and I (I’m starting to feel like this blog is more about what Julie Bowen and I can’t wear), Giuliana’s been blessed with an olive skin-tone and dark features. The dress is classic, and because she’s tall and lean, the high neck is very flattering. Perfection.

Madonna in Reem Acra & Neil Lane

This dress reminds me of satyr, you know, one of those mythical creatures that’s half-man, half-horse. The top half is enticing, but the fantasy comes to a screeching halt when you see what lies below. What’s she hiding in there, anyway? At any minute I expect a team of miniature backup dancers to emerge from underneath and break out into a remix of “Like a Virgin”. This dress – and by that I mean the bottom portion – is one ruffle away from becoming a public safety hazard.

Morena Baccarin in Georges Chakra

A-mazing. Scandalous? A tad – there’s some serious inner-boobage going on here. Striking? So very much! She looks absolutely elegant. Love the colour, love the train, love the hair. Well done.

POSTED BY ELIZABETH HAMPTON

If I remember correctly, getting a master’s degree was infinitely less fun than getting a bachelor’s. This might be because by the time I was ready to do a master’s, I’d become a focused, mature and, consequentially, boring individual. It could also be because master’s degrees are really hard and make little room for a social life. Or maybe it’s because I didn’t get my master’s degree at the beach.

I know what you’re thinking. With a slight tilt of the head, you’re wondering what a beach has to do with any legit master’s program? Advanced degrees are all about long nights in a depressive corner of the library, premature gray hairs, copious amounts of stale coffee, irreversible Vitamin D deficiency and intellectual inside jokes that no one else really finds funny.

At least, that’s what they used to be about.

Enter Technische Universität Berlin Campus EL GOUNA (Yes, I wrote EL GOUNA. No need to have your vision checked). Starting in October 2012, one of Germany’s most renowned technical universities will partner with one of Egypt’s most fabulous beaches to create the GREATEST EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON EARTH.

Don't you want to go to school here?

Here’s why it’s awesome:

1. The university is offering three separate master degree programs: Water Engineering, Urban Development and Energy Engineering. Not only are these programs on the cutting edge of the modern world, but they’re also extraordinarily applicable to Egypt. You remember those two unnecessary hours you spent stuck in traffic? If they made your day insufferable, then the Urban Development program at TU Campus El Gouna might be your new best friend!

2. Though the program costs 10,000 euros per year, scholarships are currently available. At a recent press conference, the university’s founders, which included ORASCOM’s Samih Sawiris, expressed hope that companies will finance potential students’ entrance to the university as a means of investing in future talent. Talk about a packaged deal!

3. The degree programs are geared towards sustainable development, which is ridiculously important when you consider the alarming (not to mention palpable) impacts of climate change.  In his opening remarks, Dr. Rudolph Schafer, the Founding Director of Campus El Gouna, pointed out that years from now “water may become the new oil”. As such, programs at Campus El Gouna aim to develop technical solutions to problems that also integrate aspects of economics, ecology and culture.

Yes, please!

4. The Energy Engineering Program and the Urban Development Program require students to spend a semester in Berlin, which is quite possibly one of the coolest cities on earth. Berlin is super hip and super historic. Oh, and the beer’s not so bad either.

5. Did I mention the campus is located at EL GOUNA? The setting probably won’t do anything to quell the dorked-out inside jokes graduate students tend to relish in, but at least they’ll get some Vitamin D!

For more information, check out the website.

POSTED BY HASSAN HASSAN

Last night I found myself curled up under the duvet, sitting almost inside the radiator and waiting for the latest episode of “Kourtney & Kim Take New York”. (This has become my ritual in the brutal winter Cairo suddenly decided to offer. Yes, I wait for the same episode every day; the demise of her relationship comforts me greatly.) Then I suddenly remembered – thanks to the 50 million ads per second on E! Entertainment Television – that Live From the Red Carpet at the Golden Globes would be airing that night. I was gripped with sudden excitement. It was awards season? I was unaware? Then I missed my old job. Then I wondered who I would dissect the dresses with in the morning. Then I remembered I liked new job. Then I was sad because my sister left, and I had no one to joke with about all these celebrities on the red carpet. Then I was happy because Nicole Richie was in silver and looked stunning. Happier still when I saw Claire Danes looked fantastic in black and white. I instantly decided they were my best dressed of the night.

Nicole Richie in Julien MacDonald

I love Nicole Richie. I love how she looked. I loved that she was funny talking to Ryan Seacrest. I loved that she was wearing Julien MacDonald. Then I was sad because we weren’t friends. I assume we’d have a blast drinking Starbucks spiked with whiskey (you know that’s how she rolls) and would make fun of Joel Madden and Lindsay Lohan. I was broken from my reverie by someone in a huge beige taffeta concoction. Who was this person? Why was she making such strange faces? Why was she posing like this? Who is she? Why was she wearing such a revolting dress? Whom?!?!?

Piper Perabo in Theyskens’ Theory

Thanks to Google I quickly discovered she was on a show that only people in Middle America would watch. Further internet stalking proved this the actress from “Coyote Ugly”. Seriously? What happened to her face? Did she get surgery? If she did, she should have definitely been far more subtle. I had no idea who she was. None. I was confused and tired now, with no one to turn to and exclaim, ‘Can you believe this bitch can’t fight the moonlight? Wtface happened to her face?’ But then Kelly Osbourne and some guy were all up on the screen screeching about something. Her hair made me forget my solitude.

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen

How she thinks she is in any position to judge fashion when her hair is the same shade as a geriatric drag queen in a nursing home somewhere in Slovakia is beyond me. My 94 year old grandmother had the same shade of hair when she died, god bless her soul. I didn’t like it on her, and I definitely didn’t like it on Ms. O. Oh look, Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier

Oh, Buffy, how happy I am with your ponytail. Not so happy with your dress. It’s almost like she broke her Bic biro, tried to wash the dress and sobbed while Freddie Prinze Jr. tried to console her. They have been married for 12 years; this piece of information makes me feel old. Because I remembered when they got married and nothing has really changed in my life. Sadness… Oh, look is that Elle McPherson?

Elle Macpherson in Zac Posen

It’s too much. Too much hair, too much dress. Is that seriously a bow on her butt? Woah, Elle, relax there. Ooh, Sofia Vergara. That’s definitely Vera Wang. Is it Vera Wang? Her hair is so shiny. She’s unbelievably good looking. I hope she’s a complete bitch when she talks to Seacrest.

Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

She’s so funny. I’m officially obsessed. She’s making fun of herself, making fun of Seacrest. I hope she wins everything. Oh a bunch of fat people just arrived. Is this the cast of “The Help”? Whatever, time for a sandwich and bottle number 2.

I return to Charlize Theron in Dior. Oh, a big bow. How original. Who did that before? Oh yeah, Charlize Theron. She looks stunning. But when doesn’t she? Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Although this is finally a good look for Dior, they definitely needed the boost.

Charlize Theron in Dior

What happens next is an awkward exchange with Salma Hayek and Charlize. I’m entirely unsure what she’s saying, but you can tell Salma kind of wants to step on her foot for being so tall. I hate dthe art deco Gucci she’s wearing at first. Too much shine. Then I liked it, although I wish the bottom was less glittery and pleated; one or the other and a little less shine.

Salma Hayek in Gucci

Is that Tilda Swinton they just swept over? E! really needs to be less confusing with their 25 cameras Giuliana (who was looking fab in Lebanese designer Basil Soda. I’m not just saying that because she just beat breast cancer and simultaneously never seemed to take time off). It is Swinton. Oh shit, the hair! She’s definitely wearing Haider Ackermann. No Question. Ha! She is and it’s amazing. She is beyond pale and other worldly and somehow manages to make blue look ice cold and morbid. Never has a corpse looked so good on the red carpet. Morticia Adams, eat your heart out.

Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann

Influx of celebrities. Natalie Portman! Mila Kunis (who looks rather washed out and plain – like she couldn’t be bothered to go and just threw something on and did her make up in the limo, which in all fairness would totally be how I rolled up to the Golden Globes)! Reese Witherspoon (her hair looks amazing!). Emma Stone is wearing best Lanvin dress ever. It looks perfect on her, she is my third best dressed of the night, mainly because she tells Seacrest her dress has an eagle. Is Jessica Biel Amish? I’m overwhelmed. As you will be now by all these pictures:

Then suddenly amidst all of the television stars who couldn’t believe they were hanging out with all these A-listers (scroll up for that Piper bitch), like Moses parting the sea, Brad Pitt divided the carpet for the brilliance that is Angelina Jolie. Beyond. Best she’s looked in forever. The hair, the red accents, the dress, the boyfriend. Stunning.

Angelina Jolie in Versace Atelier

The show was winding down, and I was almost passing out, as I usually do with a wine bottle empty on the floor, the remaining wine spilled on duvet and Ryan Seacrest lulling me to sleep.  Basically this is my perfect night in. Just as I was about to pass out Princess Eugenie and Beatrice popped up on the screen. What were they doing at the Golden Globes? Oh that’s Madonna! And that girl in the movie she directed. What is that? What are they wearing? Is Madonna on crack? Why is she being so pleasant with Ryan Seacrest? Oh my god, I need whatever she is smoking.

Madonna in Reem Acra and Andrea Riseborough in Vivienne Westwood

Producers are yelling on speakers for all these actors to run in and I am strangely comforted that even these people are late and need to be yelled at to get inside. It isn’t just Egypt, they yell in Hollywood too.

POSTED BY HODA METWALLY

Once upon a time, in a far away land lived a beautiful little black dress. With every stitch this little black dress became more stunning than her fairy godmother seamstress — Betsy Johnson– ever imagined.  ”One day you’ll walk down the reddest of red carpets,” she thought, “and your crystals will light up the night.”  Betsy had no idea that across the ocean, an evil tyrant was concocting a plan to snatch her gorgeous creation and sell it for far too much money. Bloomingdales was the fashion fairy’s nightmare, and Betsy knew it was only a matter of time before her little black dress became the envy of fashionistas everywhere.

She feverishly worked day and night to mass produce replicas of her little black dress, in hopes that skinny bitches everywhere would have a chance to wear it. But just as she suspected, Bloomingdales was much bigger, quicker and meaner than her magic wand could ever be, and before she knew it her beautiful little black dress was on the racks for 1900 USD.

It wasn’t long before Betsy Johnson’s gorgeous getup adorned the streets of Beverly Hills; worn by women with maxed-out credit cards and pending foreclosures. Then came consignment. Re-sale shops started popping up all over the country to re-sell designer treasures– like poor Betsy’s baby– for a fraction of the cost. Everything from shoes and handbags to fine furs and jewelry were handpicked by merchandisers with impeccable taste and sold to the public…just like Betsy dreamed.

If only there was something to do with the stylish pieces we stop wearing...

For the first time ever in Egypt, heiress to the beloved Serag Eldin family throne, Heba Serag Eldin, is bringing fashion’s favorite secret to Cairo. Fashion Garage, a re-sale shop where everything from furniture to furs will be sold at discounted prices, is the first of its kind in Egypt. “The idea was born while I was cleaning out my wardrobe and arranging items into two categories: dresses I’ve never worn and dresses I’ll never wear again.”

Neglect is fashion’s biggest faux pas.

Great clothes should never go to waste

“After my mother suggested we hold a garage sale, Fashion Garage was born. Fashion Garage is for everyone and by everyone. Anyone can sell their goods; including designer clothes and bags, accessories, funky furniture, antiques and gizmos,” says Eldin. “We’ll also be selling previous stocks from high fashion international and local designers.”

Eldin is no stranger to vintage items: the binoculars used by Empress Eugénie de Montijo during Cairo Opera House’s opening of “Rigoletto”, given to Eldin by her late father, are one of her favorite pieces.

As the fashion gods intended, vintage swank will be available for all to see, sell and purchase.  And with a percentage of profits being contributed to Lion’s Club Garden City, gorgeous giving never looked so good.

For more information visit Fashion Garage’s Facebook page and website.