I am really excited to share with you all today an interview with Latifa– a woman who has fabulous taste in just about….everything. As you’ll soon see, Latifa has very wide range of tastes and has items in every color of the rainbow – but what they all have in common is that they are just beautiful. Especially her jewelry. I originally thought that this interview would go up in one segment – however I had SO many amazing photographs to share that in the end, I didn’t want to cut any. Thus this interview is going up in two parts – and there’s still a ton of eye candy to go around. Enjoy meeting the very, very fabulous Latifa! I’ve included some of my favorite photos of Latifa (and a few of her stylish friends as well) throughout.
Who are you? What do you do, and where do you live?
My name is Latifa Al Shamsi. I am a regular Dubai girl who is currently enjoying unemployed life. My time is mainly consumed by my blog and my t-shirt line.
I love that your site shows not only you but some of your friends as well. You all seem to have so much fun! Can you share what your daily lives are like?
There is no routine to the way I live my life. But my mom, sisters and I have a tradition of going out every Friday for a girl day out and every now and then we like to go out with a couple of our close friends for a movie or dinner. If we are not out we are probably at home checking out new shoes online!
What is the first luxury item you ever bought and how old were you?
My first luxury item was given to me by my mom, it is a brown monogram Louis Vuitton bag (And I still have it). I think I was 13 or 14 at the time.
What is your favorite brand…and why?
I don’t stick to one brand specifically. But I tend to lean towards Hermes and Van Cleef & Arpels as well as Christian Louboutin.
What are some mistakes you made with your wardrobe that you wish you could take back?
I don’t want to take anything back because those mistakes paved the way to better choices and styling. But I have to say my worst would be the flare jeans hahaha!
You clearly have a fabulous budget. What do you recommend a reader to purchase if they were to invest in a few special pieces?
First I would like to correct you on having a fabulous budget as it is not always the case. I tend to like to have a target and work my way to reach that target. I always think that if an item is something you know you will always use, no matter how expensive it will be worth it. I advice readers to not rush any purchase specially if the price tag is five digits or more.
I would love to hear your opinion on a special piece of jewelry, a bag, clothes, shoe to buy…your overall fashion advice for readers:
Study the item you like, it is a classic… will it go out of style? Can I afford it in the near or far future? Will it be available by the time I have saved up? And most importantly do I really like it… do I love it? In my opinion I think for a bag – a Kelly Hermes in a neutral color is a must ( I love my grey Etoupe Kelly) and as for jewelry buy something that you will always wear (My favorite is my Cartier thin Love ring in rose gold) As for shoes always be bold with your choices buy something that says, “Hey you, ya you, look at me!”
Didn’t you love that last line? I love how Latifa shows a little more of her spunky personality there. Even though I adore luxury goods, I don’t think I will ever have nearly as much as Latifa and her friends do (unless I find a good way to blackmail Warren Buffett). So I want to give a special thanks to Latifa to sharing her life and her passion for beautiful items – check out her blog here, and come back tomorrow for Part 2!
39 Comments
couturecoco
September 21, 2011 at 1:50 pmI LOVE this interview, Latifa has beautiful taste! Adore each and every one of her pieces. I was just going to ask about that Etoupe Kelly and she adds it's one of her favs lol! So cute how she keeps the clochette and cadena on the side strap….
Next part soon please!
Oh the 5 digit – ROTFL!
Lindsay @ A Walk in the Closet
September 21, 2011 at 1:54 pmThis girl has great taste. I love her very colorful and fun pieces! She's in a completely different world financially from I believe, many of us, but I think we can easily take cues from her style in some of the more mainstream brands, too.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
September 21, 2011 at 2:04 pmyeah, you and me both, Katherine! I'll just have to stick to drooling over her VCA jewelry and H bags. It'll be another lifetime before I start thinking about any purchases in 5 figures.
Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
September 21, 2011 at 2:04 pmyeah, you and me both, Katherine! I'll just have to stick to drooling over her VCA jewelry and H bags. It'll be another lifetime before I start thinking about any purchases in 5 figures.
Anna
September 21, 2011 at 2:10 pmOMG OMG OMG!!! Serious bling!!! I love her collections and totally reminiscent of SATC 2 !!!!
Mindy♥
September 21, 2011 at 2:17 pmAll I can say is… "wow!!" yes! Latifa has serious bling, but I loveeee her collection! Thank you for sharing!
lucydphoto
September 21, 2011 at 2:19 pmEye candy galore. The ostrich Birkin is TDF.
homestilo
September 21, 2011 at 3:26 pmThat bright pink Birkin is so sweet! Also love those spiked flats in the last picture. Great interview.
Nelah
September 21, 2011 at 4:14 pmI truly adore all the lovely array of colors of her outfits and accessories. Very exquisite and awesome. Thanks for sharing her.
urbanjunglefashion
September 21, 2011 at 4:32 pmLMAO at " I don't think I will ever have nearly as much as Latifa and her friends do (unless I find a good way to blackmail Warren Buffett)." I just adored this interview. I'm defiantly subbing to her page!
amy b.s.
September 21, 2011 at 4:40 pmsuch great accessories!
Black is the New Black
September 21, 2011 at 4:42 pmLove this, she is fabulous! Can't wait for part 2 ; )
tiffyama
September 21, 2011 at 4:43 pmWhat a great interview! I enjoyed reading it very much and look forward to part 2! Love the pics too. Oh the life…^^
Brookelyn
September 21, 2011 at 4:47 pmWow, gorgeous photos, intriguing interview- I love these interviews!
Corina
September 21, 2011 at 6:32 pmGreat photos!!
http://corinamvieira.blogspot.com/
skippysays
September 21, 2011 at 7:09 pmLOL at the 3 vs 5 digit rule! I think mine is ore like the 2 digit rule 🙂 Ah, to be free of student loans….one day. Love this post, and all beautiful things and vibrant colors in it!
Neris / Fashion Fractions
September 21, 2011 at 8:20 pmsuch a cool interview! really enjoyed reading it and looking at all the photos 🙂
xxx,
Fashion Fractions
The Blonde @ Stylish3
September 21, 2011 at 9:11 pmI had a mini heart attack when I saw the pink birkin… I don't even know what to say! This girl has some amazing pieces. Once again, a great interview!
belledeville
September 21, 2011 at 9:15 pmI love her style…what gorgeous jewelry and bags!
kt
September 21, 2011 at 9:22 pmfabulous collection! I also love how she puts her Kelly lock on the side of the bag instead of the top handles… very fresh and new idea!
Lindsay
September 21, 2011 at 11:14 pmI love her already!
mai
September 21, 2011 at 11:40 pmThe prints/textures are so beautiful.
Elle Sees
September 22, 2011 at 12:16 amsuch an enviable collection!
Rod and Alex - aka: "Rolex"
September 22, 2011 at 2:58 amOoooh goodness! I'm in love with that Hermes bag! I may have to find it and splurge! Latifa surely has fabulous taste!
Ale e Elis
September 22, 2011 at 3:40 amThe accessories are so beautiful. Great photos!
brasileiroantenado.blogspot.com
atthepatisserie
September 22, 2011 at 4:47 amI'm ooo-ing and aah-ing! Can't wait for the second part!
Chic 'n Cheap Living
September 22, 2011 at 9:54 amOstrich Birkin? yellow Kelly?! I am in love with get finds and wish I had her 5 figure new item budget!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Cindy
September 22, 2011 at 10:25 amOmg some seriously lust-worthy pieces on display here. I'm definitely going to check out her blog! Great interview (and edits) as always Katherine! 🙂
xxCindy
ORIENTALExpresso
adele
September 22, 2011 at 11:27 amHey Katherine!
I'm just lusting after those Hermes bags!!!!
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
latifalshamsi
September 22, 2011 at 12:29 pmHey ladies this is Latifa lol the 5 digit thing I meant in AED (UAE currency) so in dollars it's 4 digit LoL Just wanted to clear that up. Thank you Kathy for giving me this opportunity and I enjoyed this interview very much
Z
September 22, 2011 at 12:45 pmWhat a fun interview! So many beautiful things. I ADORE the shoes in pic #3. Looking forward to part 2.
MizzJ
September 23, 2011 at 6:43 amhaha she must be very rich, even that teapot pictured her looks expensive!
Anonymous
September 24, 2011 at 12:30 pmLove her blog, she has fabulous taste. But Latifa is so out of touch with reality its kind of disheartening. I mean by her making the clarification that 5 digit thing is really 4 digits in dollars just prove that she is on a total other level financially that most of us will never be.
I definitely like her style, and impeccable taste, but for goodness sake this girl is close friends with Sheikh Mohamad's daughters. For those of you who don't know…this is the ruler of Dubai. There's nothing wrong with being from a rich family, and having princess as your friends, but why feature someone like this who has no qualms about not needing to work to afford these things.
I get it, its fashion and as I've said before, I love Latifa's blog. But next time, interview someone who more of your readers can relate to, cuz unless you're a Maktoum or part of Dubai's ruling elite…most of us can't relate to her.
audrinajulia
September 24, 2011 at 1:27 pmJust love and adore her interview. those bags and shoes..FANTASTIC!
Katherine
September 24, 2011 at 4:49 pm@Anonymous I really appreciate you writing such a thoughtful comment and it's something that's been in the back of my mind lately. For me, I struggle with this with my blog because I want to showcase beautiful items and collections even if I cannot afford them – that's also why I read some Vogue (and some US weekly ha!) At the same time, I also want to find people that I myself and my readers can relate to. I will say that I have been trying to find a balance and have lined up some interviews that hopefully will be more relatable to my reader – all my interviewees have something remarkable about themselves or their collections though.
I really really appreciate the feedback and it is something I will keep in mind – thank you Anonymous!
latifalshamsi
September 25, 2011 at 6:47 pm@Anonymous To be honest I think that my personal life is no one's business. If you do not know me don't make up stories. I never said I don't need to work, there is nothing more I wanna do to be honest. I just find it very distasteful when people assume things about you. You comment is obviously not based on facts!!! My blog has more than those luxury brands but obviously you can't see beyond that.
Katherine thank you again for such a great opportunity and really glad that people enjoyed it ^^
Anonymous
September 28, 2011 at 9:36 pmLatifa. Actually I do know you. And since you've made such a big deal about me telling the truth. Why don't you tell me exactly what I've made up? Is your family not wealthy? (although your idea of wealthy might be drastically different from most people's). Are you not friends with the Maktoums? So, please tell me. What stories have I made up about you?
I wasn't speaking badly about you. Nor was I trying to discredit you. You're fantabulously awesome in my book. But I was just making it known to the people who commented previously that you and the rest of them are not of the same socio-economic status, hence your ability to afford all those fabulous thing in-spite of being unemployed.
Susan
October 7, 2011 at 6:50 am@Anonymous
Relax.. I think virtually all of the commenters are well aware that Latifa is "not of the same socioeconomic status." Just because we can't afford all of the luxury goods mentioned doesn't mean we can't enjoy reading the interview. And it seems most of the commenters DID like seeing glimpses of Latifa's life.
@Katherine I think you're doing a great job with the interviews, showcasing stylish women with a variety of backgrounds and personalities.
Interview with Latifa – Part 2 » Feather Factor
May 8, 2012 at 3:56 pm[…] with Latifa – Part 2 Sep 222011 So…did you enjoy meeting Latifa yesterday? Does she not have one of the most amazing wardrobes ever? I could stare at her jewelry snapshots […]