46 47

BY!ELANA"SOLOMON

Princess and international style icon Raya Al Khalifa is a living dream with a fabulous wardrobe to match! The Bahraini born Londoner has spent the majority of her life spli(ing her time between her homes in Bahrain, London, and Florida. Her fashion is eclectic and timeless with influences from all over the world contributing to her unique and inspirational style. How would you describe your style?RA: Being Middle Eastern and having a good dose of Floridian glamour in-jected to my aesthetic tastes means I really love opulence and shiny bright pre(y things. The Londoner in me, however, pulls some of it back, cre-ating the perfect blend so as not to make me look too tropical or typical or even tragic… I hope! Who are your style icons?RA: My grandmother, who was always immaculate, and Coco Chanel for her shi' in the way modern women dress.What inspires your style?RA - Location! I can get away with dif-ferent things in Europe than America and the same for the Middle East. So my location inspires me. Art, sub-culture, and fashion shows inspire me as well! I’m always ready and willing to try something that seems a bit avant-garde before it does become very commercial.Do you prefer Middle Eastern fash-ion or Western Style?RA: I genuinely love and am inspired by both.

What is your favourite country to shop in?RA: America, nothing beats service in America!Do you prefer Department stores or Bou-tiques?RA: Department storesWhat are your favourite places to shop?RA: Harrods, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fi'h Avenue (the la(er two in Florida of course).Do you prefer high street trends or couture fashion?RA: I love H&M, and Zara. You will always find me mixing contemporary designers like DVF with higher end labels and high street, its all too tempting for me… but without a doubt my higher end pieces do stand the test of time both physically and style-wise.Who is your favourite designer/brand?RA: It really changes season to season. This season I’m in love with Giamba(ista Valli’s gor-geous pe(icoat dresses. I also like the Prada spring/summer collection, as it looks so light, breezy and delicate with the wrinkled dishev-eled look but with glamorous timeless silhou-e(es. I’m still in love with a piece I have from last years Versace summer collection, a beige harem pant ensemble which has been carried forward to this summer season by other design-ers. I also like Alexander McQueen and Bo(ega Vene(a, and Fendi. However, when looking for a fun easy dress, Pucci is always on my mind! This summer I will definitely be purchasing from the Louis Vui(on collection! The colour pale(e this summer is gorgeous! Have you ever designed your own clothes?RA: Yes, being 5_11 I sometimes feel I need to take ma(ers into my own hands. I hate when I fall in love with a dress to only find that it is the size of a shirt on me!From your wardrobe, what are your favourite pieces?RA: Anything with feathers, my beloved hand-bags, my knee-high boots, my long girly dresses. If you had to give up all your belongings but could only keep one piece, what would you choose?RA: Hands down, I would choose my Chanel purse. I admired my mother’s and grandmoth-er’s throughout my childhood and I’ll never for-get the joy I felt when purchasing my own! It is a lovely and classic purse.

Opposite Page: Bronze Bag -Fendi; Beige Trench Coat -Valentino; Leapord Ring -Cartier. This Page Clockwise: 1) Black Coat with Fur Trim -Pinko; Purse -Louis Vui(on; Jewelery -Van Cleef and Arpels. 2) Blue Sweater -See by Chloe; Acid-washed jeans -Dolce & Gabanna; Gold Mayan Jewelery -Vintage. 3) White mini jacket -Zara; Pink Sweater -Prada; Jeans -Rock ‘n’ Republic; Gold Bag -Louis Vui(on;

-Gucci; Scarf -Prada; Trench Coat -Yves Saint Lau-rent.

For our Member’s only, book an exclusive dinner with Raya Al Khalifa for more details visit www.styleboutique.com

%8'98:42694;'<''<''<=1321989')298>4??'18@'98:4281:9581A':248@?4::42

Raya Al Khalifa

46 47

PEOPLE"WATCHING

BoutiqueMagazine.indd 46-47 12/23/09 2:48 PM