“The beauty of a perfect clutch is that it’s a statement piece in itself, adding impact without taking away from the rest of the outfit,” Hakim says.

The classic bag shapes feature calligraphic metal closures that elevate them into pieces of functional jewelry. That’s the point: “A clutch is an accessory to your outfit, much like jewelry,” Hakim says.

“While day bags have to be practical, the beauty of a perfect clutch is that it’s a statement piece in itself, adding impact without taking away from the rest of the outfit.”

“A woman can’t ever have enough!”

Perhaps it’s time to consider a bag closet…

“My mother never wears her wedding band, but always has a cocktail ring on her finger,” says Hassan Bounkit. His eponymous jewelry line, rich in candy-colored stones and bold, organic forms, gives his mother and women the world over ample choice of tantalizing jewels.

His sculptural necklaces and statement earrings, in hues like green onyx, aquamarine, tiger’s eye and smoky quartz, add interest to any outfit. Bounkit designs have attracted the notice of an impressive roster of major celebrities, including Liv Tyler, Salma Hayek, and Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

But the most satisfying celebrity fan so far has been none other than First Lady Michelle Obama: “I loved when Oprah chose to wear some of my designs, and Michelle Obama asked her whose jewelry she was wearing,” he says.

Another admirer? Perhaps unsurprisingly, his mother: “She likes statement rings so much that in the past, every time I traveled abroad I had to go to a local jewelry market to find a ring to bring back to her,” Hassan says. “That’s the main reason I started designing rings two years ago… Now I am relieved, I don’t have to look for a ring to give her each time I travel.”

Mothers and wives, take note: jewelry-making courses suddenly seem like an excellent holiday gift idea for sons and husbands… or you could just introduce them to Bounkit.

Nada Debs
“Inspiring home furniture—this store made mother of pearl trendy and creatively modern. A must in every house.”
Tel: 01999002

Papercup
“Nested in Mar Mkhayel between Mecanics and a Man’ousheh shop, Papercup is a haven of handpicked design and architecture books as well as inspiring art references, and a great selection of kids books. Why not indulge in yummy homemade cookies and brownies?”

Lahem b3ajine Armane
“The yummiest lahem b3ajine and mante (Armenian shish barak) in town.
Go for the “lahem b3ajine Armane””
Tel: 01375178

Ashghalouna
“Every Friday, friends of the social welfare Association organizes a lunch gathering, serving the best home-cooked food, the kind your grandma used to cook for you.”
Tel: 01366758

Casablanca
“The organic green salad and the salt and pepper calamari are to die for!”

Rosa Maria
“I never leave home without a piece from Rosie on me.”
Tel: 03652236

The Corniche
“Taking a stroll, whether in the morning, at sunset or at night makes me love Beirut over and over again.”

Rabih Keyrouz
“I love his designs and always look forward to his welcoming attitude.”
Tel: 01 566079

Osteria
“The first café-pub to open in Mar Mkhayel. I love their cocktails and their occasional band.”

It’s a sentiment that crosses our minds at some of the more directional fashion shows, but, this being a fashion-oriented office, we absolutely love trying out new styles, no matter how daring!

Thankfully, celebrities can be a huge help when it comes to road-testing trends.

Take this draped tan jumpsuit with shoulder cut-outs worn by Katy Perry on a recent trip to London. On the model, it’s almost intimidatingly cool, but Perry shows us that it’s an effortlessly fluid and unique piece for daytime.

Perry’s jumpsuit is by none other than Dia favorite BodyAmr. Named “one of the best kept secrets of fashion insiders” by Vogue.com, BodyAmr is all about modern glamor and bold designs, from body-conscious mini-dresses to fluid goddess gowns.

Besides Perry, other celebrities to discover BodyAmr over recent months include Kylie Minogue, Amanda Seyfried and Taraji P. Henson. They’re all women with different styles and body shapes, but one thing is for sure—in BodyAmr, they’re the coolest girls in the room.

The rich cultural heritage and the refined craftmanship of his homeland, Palestine, have inspired the talented emerging designer Omar Joseph Nasser-Khoury to a collection called Silk Thread Martyrs, currently on display in London’s Mosaic rooms, 226 Cromwell Road.

Working closely with the often exiled Palestinian embroiderers, the collection reflects influences from traditional costumes and the roles that the people of this area currently take on: farmers, fighters, social works, martyrs, refugees. Above it all, however, stand individuality and uniqueness, and the sense that Nasser-Khoury has transformed the workmanship into contemporary and challenging pieces, constantly questioning current preoccupations regarding gender, duty or social restraints.

Successfully, Nasser-Khoury has crafted 22 individual pieces which were made with a focus on using as much work by hand as possible: during the process of embroidery, colouring and dyeing; almost no machines were used. In addition, Nasser-Khoury put an emphasis on natural materials and dyes.

Letting the designer express the essence of his pieces in his own words: “The omnipresence of death in daily life as a result of the Israeli Occupation has thrown society into a perpetual state of mourning. Rather than challenge that reality, the collection actually takes on board the overbearing presence of loss in our lives and is thus a celebration of death. It flaunts the last thing that Palestinians still own: their doom.”

Andrew Gn is known for the kind of sumptuous evening gowns that come embellished with embroidery and buttons, all developed within his Paris atelier. So it comes as no surprise that he is just as meticulous a collector, traveling the globe in search of the unique and rare.

These two worlds recently came together with the opening of his private by-appointment salon in the Marais. Inspired by Paul Poiret’s “Ateliers de Martine,” Gn went about decorating the interiors of the hôtel particuliers with 19th and early 20th century antiques.

Amongst the salon’s highlights are floor-to-ceiling lacquered panels and a glittering 18th century Murano glass chandelier – so large it had to be cut in two to fit within the space. As a nod to his well-heeled Middle Eastern clientele, Gn also commissioned Iranian artist Roshanak Varasteh to paint a whimsical mural depicting a tree of life, ripe with pomegranates, prancing gazelles and mythical birds. (An art-world favorite, Varasteh was an assistant editor at Harper’s Bazaar Paris in the 1980’s before launching a career as a painter.)

Beyond the artist’s mural lies an intimate salon, where clients can nibble on macarons while selecting from Gn’s couture-worthy designs. Just as lavishly appointed as his clothes, the designer’s latest creation is sure to have his most loyal clients coming back for more.

Images courtesy of Andrew Gn

The streets of New York are blanketed with three feet of snow, Londoners are still shivering at the memory of their own encounter with winter’s frosty side, and critic Roger Ebert said that an amateur filmmaker’s short about the US blizzard deserves an Oscar for its drama and wonderful quality… but all we can think about is what to wear to keep warm (clearly, we’re in the right field).

Barring fur-lined boots and blankets, our coziest solution has to be layering on some of our favorite scarves. They may appear diaphanous, but the splendid fabrics and generous lengths make scarves from Dedem and Mia Jafari perfect for winter warmth with a pop of color.

Try replacing your bulky knit scarf or snood with two or three silk or cashmere scarves, looped around your neck, loose ends flying. Wear unexpected combinations with one color or design element in common – say, Dedem’s Coral Print Scarf with Mia Jafari’s Raspberry Margarita Silk Scarf.

Thing is, silk and cashmere are among the warmest fabrics around, so while everyone else shivers in gray, you’ll be toasty, with a tropical touch. Happy winter…

Wish hats were still de rigueur for country picnics? Dream in Merchant Ivory scenes? Lust after the handiwork and care lavished on antique garments?

Meet Beija. The line, designed by Francophile Brit Michelle Lindup, showcases poetic details in every one of its vintage-inspired pieces. Think high necks, pintucked bodices and delicate lace panels galore.

Lindup started the line to bring her love of artisanal techniques and vintage fabrics to a wider audience, and that vision comes through in every garment. From her small boutique in Paris’s Marais neighborhood, she creates small seasonal collections of timeless pieces.

For proof, see what may be the most perfect blouse trio we’ve found (Bliss, Poet and Lara – note the painstaking detail of the full line of miniature buttons on the latter). If you’re in for something slightly darker, look to Lindrup’s Roma Dress – a classic shift in heavy guipere lace, it’s sure to be a closet staple for years to come.

Even so, our favorite piece has to be the Zhivago dress – just the thing to wear when rushing to meet your own Mr. Darcy. Carried away? Yes please.

Enter SURevolution, for accessories that transport without eating up vacation days. The brand’s handmade jewelry turns sustainable, fair-trade materials from Colombia, Bolivia and Peru into organic-feeling bracelets with timeless appeal. Each piece of jewelry made from gold-dipped leaf fragments is as unique as the wearer.

Better yet, the brand has a humanitarian mission: to preserve and foster the techniques of artisans in developing countries. So the hand-carved pui-wood bangles support local communities at their point of origin.

Which is more than we can say about that keychain.

The asymmetrical red chiffon gown with a daring thigh high split isn’t one for the faint-hearted, and we think that Carrie does this dress perfect justice.

Available exclusively here.