The Fyunka girl and her plates

Alaa Balky is a young Saudi graphic designer and illustrator. Born in Saudi and raised in Canada, Alaa studied graphic designing in Dar Al Hekma college in Jeddah, she was so passionate about her designs she decided to launch her own brand Fyunka. Fyunka is a pop art concept brand, she started with T.Shirts then turned into bags and purses and then branched into home accessories and now plates. Fyunka has recently collaborated with Aura, the Saudi furniture and home accessories company.
Fyunka by aura is a limited edition collection of dinnerware, which is a delightful combination of both high quality product and unique design. This collaboration came to fruition as part of aura’s continued effort to support and develop the growing local talent amongst the design community of Saudi Arabia.

The concept behind this limited edition Fyunka by aura collection was to create a series of  ‘his and hers’ people-based illustrations for a dinnerware collection, that includes plates, cups, saucers and salt and pepper shakers, exclusively for aura. Each design is different yet they effortlessly connect just like people connecting on dining table, having engaged conversations and exchanging experiences. 

I had the chance to dine with Alaa. We had an amazing dinner catered by the famous Debyazah, served on Fyunka X Aura dinning set. It was a great night and I really did enjoy everything.

 

Alaa says: “I always wanted to design dinnerware and when aura approached me I thought it was a genius idea to incorporate Fyunka within their products. I’m excited that Fyunka can be appearing on people’s dining tables and starting a conversation – and I’m looking forward to what’s to come with aura.”

Me and Alaa Balkhy

The Fyunka by aura collection, manufactured in Portugal, comes with both female and male designs within one set. You can find it now at Aura store in Red Sea Mall Jeddah.

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Meet Mr.Kojak

Come on, let's meet Mohand Kojak. A super talented young man, who has taken the Cairanne fashion scene by storm recently, he is a designer and fashion photographer, and still a college student,can you imagine what will this guy do when he graduates?!

 

- Mohand you are a photographer, a designer and works in fashion PR, tell us how did all this come up ?

Well, photography was a hobby of mine back in the day, when I enrolled in the Applied Arts program at the GUC, I started taking intensive photography courses that enhanced my capabilities and shots perspective. As for being a designer, that’s my goal in life, I dream it, think it, and be it. I find myself doodling designs all the time, whether on random paper, or my sketchbook. One of the Fashion design courses that helped me a lot, was my intensive three months course with the amazing Deana Shaaban; it really emphasized my artistic side and enabled me to know how to create a collection that belongs to an inspiration. When it came to work in fashion PR, it happened in the most random way, when A friend of mine asked me to join as a graphic designer and photographer for the company, that’s then, but now, I’m the Head of Creative at “The PR Consultants.”

  - Did your college background helped you in this ?

Studying applied arts is really inspiring, it helped me understand different formats of design, and in the end, I’m a designer, I needed to know more about this whole thing called art platform.

 - Tell us more about your upcoming collection, and what was the inspiration behind it?

I’m working really hard on this collection, will announce soon more details.

- Is it hard to start a fashion brand in Egypt? if yes why ?

It’s hard to start a fashion brand anywhere in the world, but if you have what it takes to standout and create something that is different, yet demandable by the market, then you can launch a fashion line wherever and whenever.

 - Who do you look up to ?and what inspires you?

My mother, she’s my inspiration, my mentor, and my backbone.

 - You, yourself have a very unique sense of style, Describe it.

Bohemian, different, self-speaking and outrageously provocative.

 -Are you planning to display your pieces in any boutique?

Not at the moment, probably with the big launch of the F/W15, a plan will be put for the brand by “The PR Consultants.”

 - A big problem in the local Egyptian scene is the imitation, how are you planning to handle copy cats?

Once it starts to happen, I will know that I “made it.” 

Me in Mohand Kojak outfit, for Style icons shoot for Pace E Luce and flair magazine

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Interview and What's In her bag with Nina Bakry?

The moment I saw Nina Bakry's  über gorgeous earring on Instagram, I knew I had to put my hands on it. In a big City like Cairo full of jewelery makers, I started to find it hard for me to find a  piece of jewellery that can blow out my mind. Till someone on my Instagram friends list tagged a photo of that earring am telling you about.

Nina has just started her jewelery line or to be more accurate "Body Jewelery" line. The line is not just about rings, earrings and hand cuffs, she has created some masterpieces to be worn on the upper arms, head,waist and even legs !!!

Last Saturday I visited Nina's workshop.The place reflects Nina's character, it's a mix of oriental kitsch, a unique style that I can weirdly describe as if like Frida Kahlo hangs out in Khan Al Khalili. So here is my interview with Nina, and we also got to know what's inside that pretty blonde's handbag.

 1- Tell us more about Nina, the girl behind that gorgeous line of body accessories.

I’m a lover of all things artistic and innovative. I am drawn to all forms of art and design. I have always had a passion for jewelry making, which led me to regularly visit the jewelry making workshops in Khan El Khalili and learn from the skillful jewelry makers. Recently, I enrolled in the Azza Fahmy Design Studio workshop which gave me more of an in depth know how of the more intricate jewelry making techniques.

2-  How and why did you start your own line?

I have always experimented with different materials. When I finally knew what kind of jewelry designer and maker I wanted to be and what materials best represent who I am, I decided to pursue it as more than a hobby. My line is a result of years of exploration, learning, growing, and settling into my own skin as a designer.

3- We love that when you started, you started big, and set up your own workshop, tell us was that as hard as it seems?

I have a large network of support, my husband, my family, my friends, they all gave me the extra push I needed to go out and get my own studio/workshop space. Once I had that, I knew things were real! I already knew what kind of equipment I would need and had good contacts with suppliers. Yes the move required capital at first, but it was an investment well worth it!

4- What inspires you? I am inspired by anything and everything. I draw inspiration from the world around me, it doesn’t have to be something so obvious, it could be a moment or a feeling. I also love exploring the aesthetic of various cultures. I am intrigued by the visual representation of cultures throughout history. 

5- What materials do you like to work with?I work with precious and semi-precious stones, copper, brass, silver, gold, and enamel.

6- Who are your favorite local / International jewelery designers?I get asked this question a lot , but i don’t have a particular favorite designer; I admire the work of artists across the board, not just in jewelry design. I admire the work of certain fashion designers, filmmakers, painters, and so on.

Nina in action

 7- How can we match accessories to our outfits?

I believe anything you put on your body can tell a story of who you are at that particular moment. Sometimes I choose my jewelry or accessories before I choose and outfit, and create an outfit that would make this piece of jewelry shine and stand out. There is no formula, just follow your gut and don’t pay attention to what the “trends” are or what people are wearing.

8- How can one pick a perfect statement piece of jewelry?

It has to stir an emotion within you. The first time I lay my eyes on a piece of jewelry, I have to feel something. If I don’t, I move on to look at other pieces.

9- Where is the best place to hunt for jewelry?

Of course Khan El Khalili, but the hidden spots, not the obvious tourist spots. There are also several great boutiques and jewelry designers all over Cairo.

10- Other than designing jewelry what else do you love to do?

I love cinema, local and foreign, I love going to art exhibitions, I love spending time with my family and friends. But mostly, I just love being at home.

11- Egypt probably has one of the biggest jewelry making markets, how are you planning to stand out from all the other designers?

I don’t really stress about other designers. I do what I do because I love it. If people like my stuff, then great, it’s a bonus!

 12- Give us some advice on how to care for our accessories.

Always store them separately, in little plastic baggies or in those sacs you get from the silversmith’s. When you are buying jewelry, ask the shop about the materials used, and how you can best care for them. 

13- How can people reach you?

My Instagram account is Nina Bakry Body Jewelry (@nina_bakry); people can reach me through the comments section. I can also be reached on Facebook at Nina Bakry Body Jewelry.

14- Future plans?

Just to keep doing what I love, and to always enjoy it!

15- So what does Nina have inside her bag?

She carries Hermes Evelyn, inside she has her YSL wallet, Dolce & Gabbana glasses, car keys, her notebook, Fendi makeup purse, with Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer, Bobbi Brown art stick lipstick, Lancome mascara, Cath Kidston hand lotion, and Chanel beauty mist.

Nina

 

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Fashion Forward Day 1

I know I know this is like 2 months late, but better late than never. As you may noticed I was in Dubai in April for Fashion Forward season 2, I took it as an excuse, for a gateway with my hubby, to celebrate my birthday as well. Read more about my stay here

As an Egyptian born and raised in Cairo, my imagining of a show was the thing my mom and aunts used to watch Saturday morning on Channel 2 through a program called ( Lakey ya Sayadety), growing up and choosing a career in fashion( a career that I had to ditch 5 years of Pharmacy studying for), those (Lakey ya Sayadety fashion shows) turned out to be my life. Following the footsteps of my fellow fashion editors and bloggers, I booked first seat heading to Dubai, to attend the Middle East’s biggest fashion event, The Fashion Forward. FFWD can be considered as the Dubai Fashion Week, but the creative muti-national team behind it, preferred to have a thing of their own creation, than going the easy way and using the Fashion Week name.

 This is the third season for FFWD, growing every season more, and attracting more of the Middle East’s well celebrated designers, and more and more fashionable crowd and media. The fast growing event, host a number of fashion shows, fashion talk panels, workshops and a series of stunning parties. Along the   FFWD busy schedule, a very organized bazaar usually takes place, presenting to the fashionable crowd around 60 local designers from all over the Middle East region, and with couple of young Egyptian designer such as Koukla and Nada Akram.

I arrived to Dubai before the event with only one day, as soon as I check in my hotel, I decided to drop my bags and run to the Dubai Mall, to finish my shopping for the event, such event as big as the FFWD everyone goes dressed in the trendiest outfits they can find their wardrobes. I prepared everything and went to bed, but as usual I woke up late and was rushing to catch the shows from the start. I arrived to the luxurious Madinat Jumeriah, where the FFWD is held, 5 minutes before the start of  LEVEL’s talk­­­­­­. Almost everyone standing by the doors saw me changing my comfortable flats into a much painful pointed heels, but such scene is very common in such occasions, we have to admit heels are sexy but can be a pain sometimes.

wearing Azza Fahmy earrings.

With the ever sweet and beautiful Fozaza

Me with the lady who dressed me up in Pink. Nada Akram

with Zayan Ghandour

The first talk was a "shoes talk" hosted by the world’s largest shoes district "LEVEL" store. The talk addressed the shoes business and the chance that the emerging young talents in shoes industry can really have within the crazy world of the international shoes brands. The conversation was conducted by Level's principal Rania Al Masri along with A.Oliveros head buyer and Lebanese shoes designer Anneis Eunis.  Following the talk I was left to decided between attending a fabulous private party celebrating LEVEL store and the opening of the FFWD event, or to go watch the Lebanese group of designers Starch foundation show, the Egyptian genes in me kicked and involuntary dragged me to the party, can’t help it we Egyptians love to party.

. After the party I felt I need to satisfy my fashionable taste buds, by attending a show for one of my favourite local brands KAGE, so I lined up to the KAGE show, media line. KAGE is one of the favourite brands for Dubai’s somehow younger fashionistas, a thing you could easily tell by looking to the crowd waiting in front of the hall. The two young childhood friends, Arwa Abdul Hady and Basma Abu Ghazella have a signature touch of always using the minimal elements to design unique pieces. Out of all of their collection this particular one, I liked the least, I didn’t see anything new. The collection was inspired from the late 80’s early 90's, which was reflected on the models’ big messy bed hair, and simple loose shirt cut, that makes you feel that they just wake up and jumped into their boyfriends’ outfits. Don’t get me wrong the collection was nice, but I expected more from such a romantic duo. After few hours from the show, I was covered from head to toe, in snow, Snow in Dubai, yes artificial, you know in Dubai if you don’t have the thing naturally, you make the thing happens artificially, well after all that’s the Dubai fuzz  is all about. And that what the Filipino designer Ezra exactly did, he wanted to transfer his fashion show audience to  a one of snowy dark Moroccan Saharan nights, and with the right effects and perfect clothes, hell he did. One of the best shows this season, which had everyone talking. Ezra carefully mixed chiffon evening gown with what can be described as savage barbarian inspired silver accessories, a thing that only a barbarian princess would wear for an urban party in our own time. 

 What I wore:

Earrings: Azza Fahmy- Suma collection, The Sufi dancer crafted with Galal AlRoumy poem.

Top: H&M

Shoes: Zara

Skirt: Nada Akram Designs, Nada custom made this beautiful peplum skirt for me.

Bag: Zaam, Egyptian designer also custom made this pink pyramids bag. He had it as a limited edition to be displayed in Cairo fashion festival, but it was in blue. So to match my outfit thankfully he had time to make it in pink.The bag was shot by Savoir Flair magazine, for their best accessories feature :)

 

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