Lebanese Haute Couture on CNN

hmmmm....we'd like to think that CNN's George Webster has been reading BetLZ...
not only did he write the article about Zuhair Murad (which we posted yesterday) just a day after our Zuhair Murad post, but he JUST wrote and article for CNN titled "The glamorous world of Lebanese haute couture" in which he focuses on Zuhair Murad, Reem Acra and Elie Saab.

Some highlights:

"Perhaps better known for conflict than high fashion, the tiny cosmopolitan nation of Lebanon has recently produced a dazzling crop of designers who have been getting noticed far outside the country's borders."

"The Beirut-based designer [Zuhair Murad] acknowledges his country's unexpected presence on the global fashion scene, which he attributes in part to its position on the map.

"I think the geographic location of Lebanon on the Mediterranean Sea helps the Lebanese designer to travel abroad and present their collections all over the world," he told CNN."

Click here to read the original article that includes a slideshow of images, many of which you will notice have been already posted on BetLZ :)

We're on to you George Webster!!

While we're at it, look at this photo just snapped of Gwyneth Paltrow in Elie Saab at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Abu Dhabi. I. WANT. THAT. DRESS.




Good job Gwynnie, good job.

You know what? While we're at it, why don't you read this New York Times article about Elie Saab's new autumn/winter collection (seems a bit early no?). Well apparently, he's going all-black--no color? What? Well if ES is doing it we trust him.


~LZ

Oscars 2010 - Lebanese Designers

The Oscars were last night--who watched?

Well if you did or you didn't and you were wondering who was wearing Lebanese designers, these are the three that I found that topped the Best-Dressed lists.

Go ahead and see if you can guess the designer (answers below)


Nicole Richie


Rachel McAdams


Anna Kendrick

Nicole is in Reem Acra -- surprise, no? I thought it looks more like an Elie Saab or Zuhair Murad with the heavy beading

Rachel in Elie Saab

And Anna in Elie Saab, again!


Anna in Elie Saab at the Oscars 2010 Pre-party


Anna in Elie Saab at the VH1 Critics Choice Movie Awards

Another ES junkie on our hands?

~LZ

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BetLZ News 2.11.10

New York Fall 2010 Preview: Georges Chakra / Fashion Wire Daily (See the sneak peak of George Chakra's fashion show that will take place this weekend at NY fashion week!)

Lebanese minister rules out bomb on Ethiopian jet / The Washington Post

Five years on, Lebanon's 'Cedar Revolution' wanes / AFP

Lebanese Business Tycoon Threatens Lawsuit Against Government For Domestic Debts / Global News Network

A Lebanese man facing deportation fights to stay with his wife and son in Minnesota / Star Tribune

Hariri: We Won't Split Beirut, No Compromise on International Tribunal / Naharnet

News:

Reem Acra's collection will be presented as an online-only film rather than a runway show. Catch its debut at noon on February 18.

~LZ

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°13

I knew it!

When I was watching the Grammys I saw Carrie Underwood's dress while she was performing the MJ Tribute onstage and I thought "that looks like Reem Acra!"

When I compiled the pics of the celebs wearing Lebanese Designers, I couldn't find mention of Carrie's performance dress anywhere--only of her Red Carpet Georges Chakra Dress...

But as it turns out, I was right! (My friends will tell u I like to think I'm right all the time...not true!)

Check out the pics below and read the following:










Carrie Underwood's Grammy Style Snapped Up

Posted: February 2nd, 2010 at 12:42 pm | By: Alison Bonaguro
Technically, I'm still on the waiting list at this Gilt.com sample sale virtual outlet. But I really wish I'd been a member yesterday (Feb. 1) because they are the proud sellers of everything awesome, like the same style of dress Carrie Underwood rocked during the Michael Jackson tribute at the Grammy Awards. You know, the gold lame strapless chiffon one with all that beading going on at the waist? That one. (Not to be confused with the rock star-turned-angel white Georges Chakra one she had on on the red carpet.) The gown is by a Lebanese designer Reem Acra, who is quickly becoming a favorite of anyone going anywhere important. But alas, it sold out within hours of going on sale at this inventory reduction hot spot for around $1,500. The original retail price was more in the neighborhood of $5,400. Both prices are way beyond my reach, but I am genuinely happy for whoever is the proud new owner.

Source: http://blog.cmt.com/2010-02-02/carrie-underwoods-grammy-style-snapped-up/

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°11

Lebanese Win Big at the 16th Annual SAG Awards!

We've seen these two before....

Dianna Agron from Glee is wearing another Leb designer this time, Georges Chakra. (We saw her previously in Reem Acra at the Golden Globes.)



And surprise, surprise--Marion Cotillard is back and looking beautiful in this short Elie Saab gown!

~LZ

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°10

Three Lebanese designers shined at the 2010 Golden Globes last night; newbie Georges Hobeika, Elie Saab and Reem Acra.

1. Georges Hobeika

Actress Julie Bowen from American TV Show "Modern Family"

2. Elie Saab:

British Actress Toni Collette

American Actress Heather Graham

American Singer Fergie

3. Reem Acra:

Actress Dianna Agron from American TV Show "Glee"

Not bad, not bad. My personal favorite in Toni Collette's Elie Saab dress...the Fergie Saab dress kind of looks like something someone wears to their high school prom...

~LS

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°9

We have a new Elie Saab junkie on our hands!


Marion Cotillard is a French actress best known for her role as Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose."




All the following pics are Elie Saab:

~LZ

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...) n°7

Jordana Brewster, American actress from "The Fast and the Furious", in Reem Acra

Interesting choice of having that leather jacket covering up half the dress. And metallic fabric? Really? I have to say the top one is not a favorite..

The second purple dress looks beautiful on the model, not so much on Jordana--it was definitely custom-tailored for her. It loses the wavey folds on the bottom and becomes pretty simple and not too special. Whereas the original looks grecian, Jordana's loses that element.

Sorry Reem :(


~LZ

"Gossip Girl Here..."

Anyone watch the latest Gossip Girl episode (American series that makes you lose 20 points of your IQ each time you watch it but that is the guilty pleasure of women everywhere)?

See around 10:30

Blair Waldorf is getting a personal fitting for a Reem Acra dress in her NYC atelier. At first I thought the lady doing the fitting was Reem but it's not.

Despite the fact that I despise that I watch this made-for-teens-glorified-soap-opera, this is absolutely huge for Reem, Gossip Girl is THE show to watch right now, and abolsutely sets the trends for fashion.

Having grown up in NYC myself I would, for the record, like to tell any GG fans out there that this is NOT at all how real people live in the city; but then again that would be why this show is so popular

You go Reem!

~LZ

Li2mi Zgheeri (A Little Taste...)

Halle Berre in Reem Acra

Very elegant, love the fabric and the color really matches her skin tone.

~LZ

Greetings from Paris!

Hey!

I'm away in Paris now so you can bet that my posts shall sadly get fewer as I take in the city of lights. Although if you ask me, NYC should really hold that title...

Thought this article from the Wall Street Journal titled "Celebrities Raise Reem Acra's Profile" on Reem Acra's sudden increase of fame might be of interest, since I've been following her recently:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123380456247450897.html?mod=WSJ_topics_obama

The Acra dress Jill Biden wore that's mentioned in the article:

All my love,

A bientôt!

~LZ

Baba Saab & Mama Acra

Paris Fashion week is going on! (And wouldn't you know it, right before I head off to Paris myself!)

I called Elie Saab and asked him to postpone his fashion show for a few days until I get there, but he apologized, something about finding another venue in time....

Anyway, even though I couldn't go, doesn't mean no one did. (Shocking, I know) Kanye West, actress Mischa Barton and glamour girl Dita von Teese were all there representin' for me:

To see a slideshow of his dresses from the runway show, go here:

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009CTR-ESAAB

Also, just to keep you updated on who's been recently wearing my 2 favorite designers:

Actress January Jones from Mad Men in Elie Saab

Actress Gabrielle Union in Reem Acra

Mischa Barton in Elie Saab at the Elie Saab fashion show in Paris

Angelina Jolie in Reem Acra

Maybe Reem and Elie will see this and take pity on me and send me a dress? Or how bout you two just adopt me? Please?!

Reem, Elie--i love you!

~LZ

Lebanese Designers on the Red Carpet

Who watched the Golden Globes last night?? I definitely did--who thinks Leo and Kate should be a real life couple? I mean he had tears in his eyes when she won--and what's up with her fugly husband?? (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005222/)

Anyway, if you tuned in early to watch the red carpet and see who was wearing what, you may have noticed that Lebanese designers Reem Acra and Elie Saab made more than one appearance:

Rumer Willis (Miss Golden Globes) in Reem Acra:

Olivia Wilde (from House) in Reem Acra:

Eva Longoria in Reem Acra:

Laura Linney in Elie Saab:

And Beyonce, who ALWAYS wears Elie, in Elie Saab:

Not a bad night for the Lebanese, eh?



~LZ