This Just In Winter Edition 2020

By Zena Shalaby

From effortless yet sophisticated looks to TREND-SETTING styles, you’ll find it all. We’ve acquired a few trends that you need to know about this season for dressing the part during the chilly days ahead. Here are our favourite five trends of winter 2020! P.S. Stay warm, but stylish.

OVERSIZED CARDIGANS “HAND-WOVEN”

Sometimes all an outfit really needs is a long oversized cashmere cardigan, and man do we love and envy those bad boys during winter days! This hand-woven fringed long cardigan is what keeps us warm and stylish all at once. These will be in our closets forever, we don’t care if they stop trending, which we doubt they ever will. #long_live_cardigans

LEATHER, LEATHER, LEATHER EVERYTHING!

THE FAN FAVORITE: It’s this time of the year again. Leather up, and get your hands on Bottega Veneta’s wish-list-worthy leather “pouch’ clutch with a gold chain to spice it up!

Dress up or dress down, leather is always there to accessorize you, keep you warm, and make those short legs long! A definite trend to always keep on the top 5 chart!

THE ’70S REVAMP “FLARES & CROPS= LIFE”

We all love a simple crop top with flare jeans, but doesn’t that remind you of the 70’s?

Let us be more specific; long-sleeve crop tops, bomber jackets, flared pants/jeans, oversized suits for women, sequin, and leather pants. Our own parents must remember these hip and cool outfits they wore back in the old days and that are now making a comeback.

Wear a tight long-sleeve crop top with flared jeans and a bomber jacket and you’ve got the IDEAL winter outfit for the road. #so_epic #so_seventies

TIE DYE EDITION

This is an oldie but a goodie that started off in the 60’s. The tie dye technique is simple really; grab a white T-shirt, tie it up and dunk it in a bucket of colors, let it dry et voila! Nowadays we have tie dyed jackets, t-shirts, sweatpants, hats; you wear it, you can tie dye it. It’s even on the runway during fashion week, how insane is that?! Guess we better start tie dying y’all. THE BALLOON AFFAIR “PUMP UP THE VOLUME”

Givenchy is stealing the runway this season with the balloon trend. So what exactly is the “balloon trend”? It’s a massive sleeve blown out of proportion, but hey it looks FAB! IT’S AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT PIECE. Bring back those 80’s vibes, it’s time.

LINGERIE DAILY WEAR “SEXY YET STILL MODEST”

Who would’ve thought that one day people could wear lingerie as a top, dress or even as an accessory? Well, the day has come ladies and gents. You can pair any skin tight lace lingerie top with your favourite leather pants, ‘yeah we’re talking to you leather lovers’. And if you want to stay a bit more discreet and warm, you can pair it with a black blazer to help accentuate that sexy look you’re aiming for!

HIGH NECK DRESSES “STAY WARM, STAY CLASSY LADIES’

High neck dresses are one of the biggest fall winter 2020/21 fashion trends. It’s all about that tall, sleek, slimming look that this clothing piece has to offer. Have you ever tried on a really high neck top before? If you have then girl, you know what we’re talking about here.

WINTER CAPES 2.0 “THE NEW AND FASHIONABLE WAY TO WEAR THEM”

It’s the easiest and sassiest accessory to ANY winter outfit. This Chanel cape is to DIE FOR. It’s as easy as wearing sweats and throwing on a similar toned cape with a pair of extremely huge sunglasses and booties, and you’re good to go.

It definitely does not get any better or easier than this to stay on trend. So soft, and so comfortable, what else can you ask for?.

KNITTED OUTFIT “COMFY+ FORM FITTING = THE PERFECT COMBO”

Knits are in this season and every season in fact. But what’s even more great about them is how they now come in long dress-forms. Take a look at this fashionista rocking an oversized knitted dress and adding a knot at the front to give it a little twist.

Add on a colorful printed clutch, statement earrings, and some heels and you’ve got the outfit of the century. This is currently my obsession FYI.

Fashion is all about expressing yourself. By definition, it’s “A popular expression a particular time and place and in a specific context, especially in clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, and hairstyles.” We chose 5 iconic trends to showcase that variety is better. Choosing your clothes is like choosing a costume to showcase and present to the world who you truly are. So, get up and put that costume on!

Interview by Aya Aboshady

Building an empire from scratch at a young age requires passion, intelligence and hard work. Visionary architect Ahmed Gabr, founder and head of GAF Design Studio, is the definition of all this and more. We had the opportunity to speak to the inspiring architect about his award-winning design house, the journey he embarked on to reach the top, his design criteria, future plans, and a lot more!

1. How did you start your journey and when did you decide that you wanted architecture and design to be your career?

Before switching to architecture, I was a Mechanical Engineering student for a whole year until I had to help a friend out with his university work and projects due to an accident he’s been in. He was an architecture student and I couldn’t help but instantly discover the passion I had for the field then, that’s when I decided to switch majors amid worries from the people in my life who thought I wouldn’t be able to make it by myself because of how difficult architecture generally is, not to mention the competitiveness of the field and the fact that I had no architects in my family.

Although I can’t claim that the following five years were easy, I still really enjoyed the process and realized as I went that this is really what I’ve wanted to do all along - I really loved the creativity factor. Additionally, many professors believed in my talent and always recommended me to intern in big architecture offices and companies since freshman year. And it only went up from there!

2. How did GAF Design Studio come to life?

Everybody was pushing me to apply for work in the big names in the market upon completing my studies because for them, it seemed like the obvious thing to do. However, the way I saw it was that I learned a lot and gained enough experience and knowledge throughout my five years of architecture and training. So for me, it was the right time to start my own firm! Yet again, not many people were convinced due to the challenges of the field and the fact that the profit was never guaranteed because, in the end, we’re selling intangible ideas before anything. And putting a price on them and guaranteeing their success from the start isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

That being said, I did take a step forward to finally open up my own firm; GAF Design Studio. And it started with working on projects and designing homes for my friends who gave me the time and space to get creative and bring my ideas to life. I ended up turning a friend’s family house into a small villa with a nice rooftop. From there, the clients just kept coming.

3. How did you form and hire your team?

We’re currently working towards turning GAF into an empire and a reputable brand name. I was actually inspired by the great Zaha Hadid because even after she passed away, her name and brand still shined. I realized that in order to make that happen, I would have to build a strong team to keep GAF at the top for years and years to come. That’s why I decided to hire young talents from the very beginning so that we could grow and develop GAF together.

4. What inspires your designs?

Definitely my clients! I like to personalize their spaces as much as possible to the point that I sometimes imagine myself in their shoes. I study their characters and learn about their wants and needs in order to create and design a unique place that suits them, gives them a sense of belonging and holds their souls perfectly. Watching their reactions when the final design is completed brings me indescribable joy.

5. What has been the closest project to your heart so far?

In all honesty, I often say that my favorite project is the next one! I’m usually keen on giving my all to each and every project I work on. And every time I think a project is my favorite, I remember that the next one is, without a doubt, going to be better until the one after comes up.

6. What makes GAF Design Studio different from the rest in the field, especially in such a competitive market?

To be honest, I like that the market is quite competitive. However, the way I work is a bit different because I’m mostly always competing with my own self rather than with anyone else. I’ve always put huge names, such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and Frank Gehry as the role models that I look up to and wish to surpass and achieve even greater things than they did. Another very important factor that makes GAF different is the great team behind it. My team works countless hours tirelessly; they believe in GAF’s vision and are always keen on achieving great results.

We also care so much for details; practicality is key for us. It’s never only about a space that looks nice, it’s more about a space that means something to the client and speaks their name with a comfortable and suitable living environment. From the climate control of the house to the landscaping, and making use of the empty spaces; it all lies in the tiniest details and I think that’s what makes us different. 7. What do you think is the biggest challenge that usually faces an architect and what’s your solution for overcoming that challenge based on your own experience and career path?

Keeping up with the constant evolution of today’s technology - smart homes and such - you always have to be up to date with the world trends when it comes to design. Most importantly, maintaining the same level of success requires so much effort. It’s a never-ending cycle of traveling, studying, and learning in order to outgrow yourself and keep your brand at the top. Because reaching the top is easy, however, the same can’t be said about staying there.

8. What’s the best advice ever given to you by a mentor in your career or even back when you were still a college student?

I will never forget my university professor Dr. Khaled Asfour and his words to me when I once turned in a project that had some issues. He glanced at it and told me: “What is this shallow thinking?” As much as those words hurt me back then, they changed the way I perceive things ever since. I became a deeper thinker who’s so much more into details. And needless to say, I nailed that presentation after reworking it then. Professor Asfour was also one of the very few people who didn’t judge me when I told him that I’m starting my own firm. On the contrary, he only encouraged and motivated me.

9. Talk to us about your awards! Do they motivate you and push you to do even better?

The very first award will always be the closest to my heart, the International Property Award. When I got nominated, I didn’t think I was going to win but when I did, I started wanting more because I love competition and for me, awards are proof that my hard work paid off in the end. I’m always happy to win awards but as soon as I receive one, I usually forget about it a little to start thinking about the next one and working towards it.

10. Why do GAF’s social media pages lack photos of the construction process as well as the before and after pictures that the people often look for?

I like to do things my way, so I don’t believe I have to post before and after pictures just because others are doing it. People often confuse design and construction, they don’t get that both things are separate. I like to give credit and value to my work and the people behind it, which is mainly why I only post the final product - the design. However, if clients want to see the finishing quality or the construction, they’re always welcome to visit the site. I simply cannot sacrifice GAF Design - which is the edge of this company and brand - for GAF Construction.

11. What are your future aspirations for your company? Do you have any plans or projects you’re willing to share with us?

We’re currently working on renovating a palace in Korba, Heliopolis; it’s a challenging project that I’m really excited about. Also, ever since we worked on a dental center, we’ve been approached to work on other medical centers and hospitals. As for future plans, GAF Design is an empire in the making and I’m really looking forward to our global expansion. We actually had plans to begin with the UAE as well as the UK but unfortunately Covid-19 happened and overseas projects were naturally put on hold. Therefore, our global expansion plans were delayed but they’re still going to take place in the next couple of years.