> Scotland & other stories...

My summer was intense, so intense I did not post anything, sorry 'bout that!
SO to apologize, here's a mix-mix-schuffle of tidbits and a wee look on the Highlands!

It all started with a quick weekend in Paris where the highlights were a beautiful exhibit at La Pinacotheque, to see Tamara de Lempicka, the amazing art deco colorist...

&... other stories, which opened a few months ago; a lesson in retail, style, display and design:

Shifting on to more art deco in Glascow now, at the GSA (Glascow Scool of Arts) where we had a guided tour of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Building... Simply AMAZING.
Students are so lucky to live and learn in this space...
And we had a high tea at the Willow Tea Rooms, designed by Mackintosh as well. I simply love those Glascow fonts don't you?

And  as promised, a wee* look on the Highlands (Mull, Skye, Staffa, Tobermory, Oban, Inverary, the Lochs...) to finish and relish:

*Wee is the cutest little Scottish word, it actually means (and sounds!) "little".

Photos by myself and Ghassan Koteit. 

> HORECA 2013: Best Stand Competition

This year was HORECA's 20th anniversary and I had the pleasure and honor to be once again part of the jury of the 2nd Best Stand competition.
The members were the same as last year, but Alain Hochar (left) joined les 3 mousquetaires (left to right): Maya Metni (me!), Malek Salamé & Rana Nasr.

>I'll start with the small stand: it was a delight to see so many participants make the most of the little space and work with interesting materials or even a compilation of their own products, like MATEX-MABCO, who are providers of plastic containers for the F&B industry, our 3rd nominee in this category.

2nd nominee: Biomass, organic products, fresh & simple materials, enhanced merchandising:

And our winner, an absolute coup de coeur, Qanafar wine:

Sober presentation, simple yet nice & contrasted materials, beautiful display of wine ware, welcoming staff &... exquisite Lebanese wine!

>2nd category: Best Branded Stand

2nd prize, Barista, who captured well the sensual espresso mood:

3rd prize, Najjar, with among other products, Gio & Thea:

And our winner, Shawarmanji, where i couldn't even take a picture of the whole stand because there were so many people attracted by the beautiful branding (& smell ;-)):

> Last but not least, the best stand category:
3rd prize, Diageo for alcoholic beverages, with a "duplex" stand and even bouncers like in a real nightclub, we even had to prove we are a jury to get in ;-D

2nd prize, Cafe Abi Nasr who had a crossed ground plan with four corners, here's the Lebanese coffee side:

And the winner is, drum rollllll, ...  SOHAT water!

With a very subtle stand all in light, white and transparencies, displaying their new glass bottle, a future hit for sure:

And the souvenir picts with winners and organizers... 

Bravo to all, Mabrouk to Joumana & Randa Dammous for the 20 successful years, and good luck to all for next year!

> Born & Raised in Lebanon!

I'm very happy to share with you those latest commercials I created and directed for RECTANGLE JAUNE as they really convey all the dynamism and passion of my funky city, Beirut.
They were filmed with the stop motion technique, each requiring 165 photos for the 15 seconds.
It was very delicate to keep the model at the same place while handing him the clothes to change, and keeping a link in the wardrobe.
The idea was to show the clothing items that RJ created chronologically: in 1988 the shirt and boxer, in 1990 the pants etc... till the swimwear created last season. We are aware that this does not really show, but it was our "fil directeur".
What we wanted to show on the other hand was all the dynamism of this 25 years old brand, and the attachment that the lebanese, locally and abroad, have for it. So we asked the talented Jean-Marie Riachi to compose for us a pop rock variation of our National Anthem, and at the same time, we did not want it to be very obvious. I think he did a great job, don't you?
Once again huge thanks to Imad El Khoury, my super photographer, Julien Abboud my inspiring stylist, and all the RJ & RJmag team: you guys really rock!!!

> Pages from RJmag 10, published next week

This season we decided to stay home for summer and shoot right here in our beautiful neighborhood, Mar Mkhayel. Did you know it's one of the prettiest corners of Beirut?
We started at the charming Villa Clara hotel, then we moved to Frosty Palace, and after that, off to the magnificent stairs by Paint Up!

The second day we shot the swimwear at the sandy beach of Okaibeh, with a section about all the hand signs in Beach Volleyball...

And if you feel like a sneak peek at the making of, here you go:



And read the whole mag here:

> Superb art direction: Suit & Tie, Justin Timberlake & Jay Z

Well I thought we start the week end in style!
Two weeks ago, Timberlake released this beautiful work...
Now I may not be a fan, but regardless of the music, this is what i call a perfect art direction job...
The subtle lighting, the choreography,  the little details, and of course the clothes.
And guess who's behind this, I've just been researching: well it is none other than Mr Tom Ford, whom else?

Well Bravo, very stylish Monsieur Timberlake, Monsieur Ford et Monsieur Jay Z!

Reminds me of our photoshoot from last year, check the images below & the full post: here.

> restaurant identity: The Hangout Beirut

I recently had the chance to work on an interesting project: the visual identity of the yummy place I now hangout in all the time ;-) _ The Hangout !

First this is the logo:

...inspired by this lovely detail in the wrought-iron shed:

Here's a look at the inside of this beautiful mediterranean house:

I worked on the prints of course,

and on the art direction of the food picts,

And last but not least, on the facebook communication that you can follow here, which is really interactive & smart, + it enhances our heritage in a fun way...

So next time you're in Beirut, be sure to check out The Hangout: ask for the Gourmet Burger and a glass of Château Qanafar, you'll thank me later...