Couture: Ziad Nakad F/W 2026 - Black is Beautiful (02)

 
In love with these stunning black evening gowns by Lebanese fashion designer Ziad Nakad. What a beauty, elegance, femininity and craftsmanship. With his Fall/Winter 2026 offering, Ziad Nakad refines his signature language of opulence through a lens of modern restraint. Presented as a lookbook, the collection explores the balance between couture-level embellishment and the evolving demands of contemporary dressing, where elegance is expressed with clarity rather than excess. Be Inspired ..... Earlier I wrote more blogs about Couture, SEE HERE

More about the fashion designer

Born of a Lebanese descent, Ziad Nakad knew from his very early teens that he was to work in fashion. Since his young years, he was attracted by eccentric fabrics, sheer embroideries and unconventional beadings which married his designs back then especially sketched for his family to wear. Encouraged by this genuine success, the talented young man decided to explore more his passion for fashion and embrace the dressmaking art with studies in the field. In parallel, he mastered the art of couture by working with many famous fashion designers in Beirut. In 1997, he turned his dream into a career when he was invited to take part to the Beirut International Fashion Show for Couture in Beirut and dressed renowned super models like Karen Mudler, NadjaUrman and Jennifer Driver.

His first fashion shows garnered much praise from critics and opened the doors to a whirling series of defiles sparking international interest for the designer. Such exposure led to another milestone to his career with his first international defile in Milano in 2001 followed suite by another one in Cannes in 2003… and that was only the beginning…

Celebrated for his ability to reveal the feminine side of every woman, Ziad Nakad is now a design reference in fashion shows in Lebanon, the Middle East, the Gulf, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the world.

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Source: ZIAD NAKAD
Photos: Courtesy of Ziad Nakad

Fashion Books: Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier

 
Dior is one of the most revered names in fashion, the archetype of the Parisian couture house. Famous for launching the “New Look,” Christian Diors landmark first collection that marked a sea change in womens dress after the Second World War, Dior is known today for its exquisite couture line of dramatic dresses. This book comprises a portfolio of portraits of over one hundred incredible gowns from the entire era of Christian Dior haute couture, including dresses designed by Dior himself. All of the images were shot by Patrick Demarchelier, known for his exquisite fashion portraits that grace the pages of Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, Glamour, and many other magazines. Be Inspired ...... Earlier I wrote more blogs about DIOR, SEE HERE

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Sources: DIOR, Demarchelier and Amazon

Have a lovely day .............

I love soft pink peonies ...... It always makes me happy.
Could not resist to share this beautiful bunch of peonies with you.
Have a lovely day! 💖💖💖

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I wrote more blogs about Flowers, SEE HERE

WELCOME JULY!

Wishing you a wonderful July month with lots of sunny, joyful and relaxing days .......

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Decorating Ideas: Exquisite handmade wallpapers & fabrics by Fromental

A wall covering by Fromental is unmistakable. Although the handmade wallpapers are as versatile as they are beautiful, ranging from traditional embroidered chinoiserie’s to painted geometric motifs, there is something so, well ‘Fromental’ about them. Very hand crafted and with a bespoke way of working, the presence of an artisan or creator is always felt when you look at the pieces. This blogpost is a repost of my blog of 23-03-2015. Be Inspired ........

Having worked within a fashion and interiors portfolio that includes international names such as Paul Smith, Timothy Everest, Duchamp, Ralph Lauren and Osborne & Little, partners Tim Butcher and Lizzie Deshayes established handmade interiors house Fromental in 2005. ‘Our ethos and aims are to combine the finest skills together with luxurious fabrics,’ say the duo, ‘blend that with a distinctly British style, historic classicism with the cutting-edge cool of London’s fashion scene to create contemporary, timeless interiors.’

The creative team is a collaboration of talented designers and craftsmen from London and China. The company, which now has showrooms in London, New York and LA, has four main wallpaper collections alongside a selection of luxury fabrics, suitable for both residential and hospitality spaces. 

Handmade wallpaper by Fromental - Paradiso in fern.

Handmade wallpaper by Fromental - Paradiso in fern.

Handmade wallpaper by Fromental - Paradiso in Kelly.

Chinoiserie wallpaper by Fromental used in Shangri-la Hotel, Paris
to adorn the lobby's lounge.

Chinoiserie wallpaper by Fromental used in Shangri-la Hotel, Paris
to adorn the lobby's lounge.

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Sources: Fromental UK and Shangri-la Hotel Paris 

Photography: stripes everywhere

I guess you've noticed already that I love stripes. Below you will find some great ideas for stripes. Be Inspired .........

Lanvin, pair of trousers with stripes

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Images are from Pinterest moodboards:

Pinterest/Stripes and Pinterest/Hats

Enjoying Life - Beautiful infinity pool at Chedi Muscat, Oman

While surfing on internet I found this article about 20 of the most incredible infinity pools worldwide. What a pleasure to look at these inviting photos! I decided to choose one and would like to share with you this pool: it's the stunning location Chedi Muscat, Oman. Isn't it a great place to be? It looks like paradise ..... For more incredible infinity pools around the world, see the enclosed link below. :-) This blogpost was published earlier on 16-04-2022. I republished it today. Be Inspired .......

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Source: Projectinspo

Music: Beautiful performance of Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai - El Choclo

Take a look at this inspiring Japanese violinist Ikuko Kawai with her beautiful performance of El Choclo. Be Inspired ........

More about Ikuko

Ikuko Kawai is a Japanese violinist and composer known for blending classical Western traditions with Japanese musical elements, creating innovative works that transcend cultural boundaries. Born on January 19, 1968, in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, she began studying the violin at age six after being captivated by its sound on the radio and persisted in pursuing lessons despite initial parental hesitation.

Kawai graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts, where she discovered the tango-inspired music of Astor Piazzolla, which profoundly influenced her compositional style and career direction. She later completed the university's graduate program and now serves as a professor at Osaka University of Arts, while playing a rare 1715 Stradivarius violin on loan to the institution. Her versatility as a performer has led to collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists including conductor Myung-Whun Chung, tenor José Carreras, ballet dancers like Tetsuya Kumakawa and pop ensembles such as the Gipsy Kings.

As a composer, Kawai has scored music for films, television dramas and commercials, with her piece for the 2012 film A Chorus of Angels earning her the Best Music Award at the 36th Japan Academy Prize. Her original compositions often featuring fusions of violin with Japanese instruments like the shakuhachi and taiko drums, have been adopted by Olympic figure skaters including Shizuka Arakawa, Michelle Kwan and Yuzuru Hanyu. In 2022, she founded Orchestra Hibiki, an ensemble dedicated to "resonance" through East-West musical integration, which debuted its album Ikuko Kawai in Orchestra HIBIKI in 2023 and performed to acclaim at Lincoln Center in New York.

Kawai's performance career includes landmark concerts such as her 2008 solo recital at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall, a 2015 appearance at Paris's Opéra Bastille highlighting Eastern-Western encounters and the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. Beyond music, she established the Ikuko Kawai Mother Hand Fund to support charitable causes and serves as a friendship artist for Japan for UNHCR as well as a goodwill ambassador for the Japan Shrines and Temples Association. Her work emphasizes cultural exchange, adapting classical forms through a Japanese lens to engage contemporary audiences

Thank you for listening at this video

Sources: You Tube Ikuko Kawai, SEE HERE and her website, SEE HERE

Inspiring Quote about Working Together ......

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More inspiration on my Pinterest account: Quotes & Words

NYFW: Michael Kors F/W 2026, Part 1

Witness the magic of Michael Kors his F/W 2026-27 Womenswear & Menswear collection, presented in New York. At the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center Michael Kors unveiled a collection that was not merely a retrospective - but a live archive of American elegance. Marking his 45th anniversary, Kors staged a celebration rooted in the very essence of his brand: New York sophistication, clean silhouettes and unapologetic glamour.

“I still feel like a kid,” he told the crowd at PJ Clarke’s after-party. Perhaps, but that ‘kid’ has built one of the most enduring empires in American fashion and tonight, he reminded everyone why.

I also added this beautiful video below. It's almost 15 minutes and gives an excellent impression of the Michael Kors F/W 2026 collection. Be Inspired ......

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Sources: Michael Kors and WWD and Runway Magazines
Photos Courtesy: Michael Kors

Abstract Art: Inspiring artwork from the artist Ursula J. Brenner (02)

Would like to share with you this inspiring artwork from the artist Ursula J. Brenner. Love the way she is using contrasts in form and color to underscore emotion in her pieces. Be Inspired ....... Will publish on 15-08-2026 her other artwork called "Royal Blue Abstract". Earlier I wrote more blogs about 'ART', SEE HERE

The artist Ursula J. Brenner

More about the artist

Ursula J. Brenner creates a diverse array of landscapes and contemporary abstracts in acrylics and encaustics, using contrasts in form and color to underscore emotion in each piece. Ursula’s art reflects a wide range of moods, from light and playful to deep and mysterious. Born in Germany, Ursula has been influenced by a rich cultural background of old world museums, art, music and architecture. She lives and works in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she attended Edgecliff College on scholarship, graduating in 1978 with a BA in Drawing and Painting.

She has studied with and been influenced by the work of Wolf Kahn, Susan Sarback, Doug Dawson and Albert Handell. Always filled with ideas, Ursula can be as inspired by driving in the country as looking through a magazine. She likes to focus on the fundamental nature of a scene – the values, colors and shapes -using a “notan” study, a Japanese method of examining lights and darks. She enjoys alternating between landscapes and abstracts to keep her interest in both genres high. Ursula experiences a spiritual connection as she creates art, something she wants the viewer to experience as well. “My art makes a strong, bold statement, an unambiguous statement,” says the artist. “Yet it can be very ethereal too.I want people who look at my art to be transported into another realm, to transcend the normal human experience.”

Ursula is represented by selected galleries. Her paintings are featured in private and corporate collections internationally, She works with interior designers and art consultants and accepts commissioned work. A national award-winning artist, Ursula was chosen to attend the Vermont Studio Center on partial scholarship in 2002.

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Sources: Boulevard Fine Art and Ursula J. Brenner

Color Inspiration: Summer Colorpalette 5

 Would like to share with you today this lovely Summer color palette in blue hues combined with soft pink & soft yellow. What a delightful color combination! On my PINTEREST account I am sharing lots of more color palettes. For more inspiration see also my PREVIOUS COLOR BLOGS. Be Inspired ......

Thank you for reading this blogpost. 

Sources: Pinterest and Design Seeds.

Scandinavian Design: Elegant Swedish apartment by Lotta Agaton Interiors

While surfing today on internet I found this elegant Swedish apartment located in the renowned Oscar Properties development. Beautifully styled by the team of Lotta Agaton Interiors. I am in love with the soft grey palette paired with warm beige and brown tones. It looks really elegant and at the same time very peaceful by the balanced color choices. Love the high ceilings too. Later on I will publish another blogpost about this interesting interior designer Lotta Agaton. Be Inspired ........ Earlier I wrote already another blogpost about Lotta, SEE HERE

Lotta Agaton, the interior designer

More about Lotta Agaton

Lotta Agaton is a renowned Swedish interior designer, stylist and founder of Lotta Agaton Interiors, one of Scandinavia’s leading interior design studios. Lotta Agaton is a prominent figure in Scandinavian interior design, known for her multidisciplinary approach that combines styling, creative direction and architectural interior projects. She founded Lotta Agaton Interiors in 2004, a studio that works on a wide range of projects including private homes, offices, retail spaces and commercial styling for international clients. Her studio emphasizes long-lasting quality, functional design and a human-centered approach, ensuring that every space is tailored to the client’s needs and vision. 

Career and Background

Agaton grew up in a family connected to architecture, as her father was an architect, which influenced her early interest in interiors. She began her career as an interior stylist and co-founded the Swedish interior magazine Residence, gaining extensive experience in editorial design and visual communication. After four years at the magazine, she established her own studio which has since become a leading name in Scandinavian interior design. 

Design Philosophy

Her work is characterized by a seamless integration of architecture, interior design and styling, focusing on materials that age beautifully and timeless aesthetics. The studio handles everything from technical architectural drawings to the careful curation of furniture, art and objects, ensuring that each project reflects a cohesive design vision. Agaton also emphasizes the human touch and functionality, creating spaces that are both visually striking and livable. 

Notable Projects

Lotta Agaton Interiors has worked on prestigious projects worldwide including residential complexes like 79 & Park in Stockholm, designed by Bjarke Ingels with interiors curated by her studio. The studio also collaborates with commercial clients on showroom designs, fair stands and visual identity projects, demonstrating versatility across private and public spaces. 

In summary, Lotta Agaton is a highly influential interior designer and stylist whose work blends Scandinavian minimalism with functional elegance, making her studio a benchmark for quality and creativity in interior design.

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Credits:
Styling by Lotta Agaton Interiors
Photography by McCann Sthlm-Instagram
Source: via The Design Chaser