Hot Topics » Earthquakes • America votes • Myanmar • Russia • Food crisis • Just Imagine • Olympics • more topics »
|
February 23, 2008
Posted: 1303 GMT
LONDON, England – It has been days since the last model worked the catwalk at London Fashion Week, but we’re still getting jitters over our extraordinary backstage access at the Julien Macdonald show - for many the culmination of this fashion season. 
Alphonso Van Marsh, right, interviews
Julien Macdonald, center, and Egyptian jewelry designer Azza Fahmy.  I’m working a story about Azzy Fahmy, an Egyptian jewelry designer who very ingeniously teamed up with the famed fashion guru to get her work on London catwalks. The collaboration, one part of Fahmy’s strategy to build her design brand internationally. His clothes. Her accessories. In a phrase: Designer Bling Bling. We met Fahmy at her design center in Cairo as she meticulously watched over the construction of each curve and clasp of her necklaces, bracelets and rings. I met up with her again at London Fashion Week as she and Macdonald put the finishing touches on their designs. The energy backstage was insane: Almost like that TV show “Project Runway” brought to life. Models must be matched to Polaroid pictures displaying hair, make-up and clothes. A statuesque human coat hanger in a gold dress who easily had three inches on me — and I’m six feet tall — strikes an almost pharaonic pose… turns out she’s just catching her balance on mammoth heels. Fahmy catches our eye as she gives a resounding “OK” sign after a scantily clad model slips into a beaded black outfit — and puts on a sparkling, hand-cut ring necklace Fahmy designed. Breathtaking. In another room, across from the buffet table with nothing but diet cola, bottled water and vegetarian sandwiches, a hair stylist catches me looking aghast. He’s pressing a hot comb through a model’s hair - and the smoke is wafting upward. “Its steam! Not smoke,” he says with a wink of the eye. The smell tells me otherwise. And through all the madness, we had a chance for an interview with Fahmy and Macdonald together, reunited backstage. It was a fun moment. And the show — well, if you missed it, check out our profile on Azza Fahmy on CNN’s Marketplace Middle East, scheduled to air March 24. Posted by: Alphonso Van Marsh, CNN Correspondent |
 
About this blog
Hear from CNN reporters across the globe. "In the Field" is a unique blog that will let you share the thoughts and observations of CNN's award-winning international journalists from their far-flung bureaus or on assignment. Whether it's from conflict zone, a summit gathering, or the path least traveled, "In the Field" gives you a personal, front row seat to CNN's global newsgathering team.  Categories
 |
|
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
|
|
del.icio.us
Add a comment