What's In Her Bag? The Artistic Hands

Today we get in the bag of  the talented Saudi Makeup artist and beauty blogger Wafa Ahmed, better known as The Artistic Hands. Wafa is a makeup guru, and I learned a lot of makeup tips from her. I was curious to know what she caries in her bag, and the makeup she uses for quick retouches.

So when asked what's in her bag she said: "Honestly I’ve always been a fan of huge bags and I used to carry so much stuff with me that I don’t even need I’m sure a lot of you girls can relate with me! Lol But lately I’ve switched to smaller/mini bags. It’s just so much easier and lighter for everyday.My bag is Fendi Baguette in dark navy I got it last year. I like that it fits a lot of stuff but it doesn’t feel heavy at all!

My wallet is the Glitter Bug Stacy in rose gold from Kate Spade. I LOVE this wallet sometimes when I’m in a hurry I only take it with me and it has a pocket that fits my phone, which it’s perfect!

For makeup touch ups throughout the day I always have my Diorskin Forever Pressed Powder. Lip butter or lip balm and I like to give myself a couple of options for the lips hehe!

Something I can’t forget is my hand cream I have dry hands that need to be moisturized all the time and my favorite one at the moment is Clarins Hands and Nails Treatment Cream. I keep them all in a mini makeup pouch I got from Benefit. Lastly I like to carry my little notebook with me to list down any ideas or things I don’t want to forget.

Follow Wafa: @theartistichads

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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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What's in her bag and interview with Yasmine Yeya

I first saw Yasmine in LBC's famous show Mission Fashion around 9 years ago. I was a big fan of her work at that show, and she did really good job getting the first runner up place, and getting a great chance to intern at Elie Saab's fashion house in Beirut. After this Yasmine settled down in Cairo opening an elegant atelier where it became quickly the destination for Egyptian and Arabian fashionable brides. Yasmine is a very elegant and down to earth lady, a hybrid Egyptian French  fusing the best of the two worlds to create white dreams. Yaya travels the world for inspiration and to source unique fabrics which she is famous for. When I asked her to tell us what's in her bag, she laughed and to told me , well I am a very practical person I don't carry a Chanel bag, I have a big bag with all kind of things inside. I laughed myself and told her that exactly what we want to see.
  So almost a month and half ago I headed to her Heliopolis located atelier and as soon as I stepped into Maison Yeya, all my beautiful wedding memories came back to me, I had this feeling that I am a bride all over again, and waiting to receive my dreamy wedding dress.

As I entered the atelier ....

- Yasmine, most of us knew you from the reality TV show Mission Fashion, but we want to know the story before the show, how did it began? It started with my grandmother, I used to sit and watch her design dresses and saw them herself and that's when I first realized that I like that, I would love to make my own clothes and dresses. Then it evolved into designing and executing dresses in general.

- In a very short time, you succeeded to place your self as the best wedding couturier in town, how did you manage to do this? No person in any field can achieve a solo-success or work on something this big on his or her own. What I always tell my team is that our work is the sum of the excellence of each individual. If one fails to do his or her part, the whole project will fail. It’s like an orchestra where all of us have to perform to execute a beautiful symphony. The process starts with a bride. Women have always been my inspiration. So it starts with the client coming into the atelier. If I’m designing an haute couture gown, the bride is always my muse. Her beauty and her soul put me in an imagination trip. The ideas then go to paper and from paper to my workshop.

- Your dresses scream luxury, what materials do you love to work with ?I feel like if I asked you that question you would answer with 'Lace'. People started seeing a sort of pattern in my dresses and I like that. I like the idea that people can see a dress and know that this is a Yasmine Yeya dress, at the end of the day every designer has their own signature and I think lace is mine

- Tell us more about Yasmine at home not at the atelier.

I'm a very private and homey person. And I usually like to keep it that way. so you wont find in any of my marketing channels anything that specifies what happens behind the scenes, in my home for example.

-Other than Haute Couture, what are your interests?Right now, couture and fashion designing are taking all my time so I seriously have no time to pursue any hobbies or any of that. But if it wasn't for fashion designing I think I would have liked to become a doctor and find a cure for cancer, it's one of those things I think about often.

- What do you think of the Egyptian fashion scene?

I think people are becoming more aware of what suits them and they are starting to develop an identity away from what's internationally popular. People are becoming more true to their selves and their own style.

- Where do you like to shop? And who are your favourite local designers?

There are so many now and they are all very good. I personally look forward to seeing designers like Amina K. and Deana Shaaban have to offer in the future. And after my latest collaboration with Sabry Marouf, so excited to see what those guys have in store.

  

 - What was the most challenging dress you have ever designed ?

The most special to my heart is my sister’s wedding dress. It was the most emotional experience I went through.

- No plans for a fashion show soon, or a fashion week participation? 
All I can say is stay tuned and get ready.
   
- This is would be the most frequently asked question you always hear, but how can brides to be reach you? 
Well our social media platforms I think is the easiest way they can reach me, we reply to the inquiries we get as soon as we can. They can also send us an email on info@maisonyeya.com with their wedding date and we will reply with the appointments available. Also, we are launching our website, www.maisonyeya.com, so that will also facilitate the connection between us.

What's inside Yasmine' s bag

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