For the second time, Trainstation (fitness studio in Achrafieh, Beirut) hosted the internationally renowned celebrity trainer Oscar Smith. He’s the personal trainer to Victoria Secret’s top models and many other celebrities. During two weeks, Oscar Smith was giving a set of classes at Trainstation, in addition to several bootcamp sessions at Zaytouna Bay and Palais Sursock and personalized training sessions. I was honored to be invited to attend his “lower body blast” class at Trainstation and interview him few minutes afterwards. This class included very high-intensity cardio exercises; which made me fall in love with it! I wish we had more classes of the sort in Beirut. Discover now what Oscar had to say during the interview! Lana: Good morning again Oscar and thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time. This is your second trip to Lebanon, what’s your feedback so far? Oscar Smith: Honestly, I love it. People are very friendly and everyone speaks English and/or French fluently, this is kind of surprising! You know in the West because of the media, we get the wrong idea about many places in the Middle-East. We have this fear that if we come, war will be the only experience and that we are running the risk of being kidnapped. I’m so happy to be here to see that this is not the case.  Lana: I am very happy to hear so and I must agree that some media networks can have disadvantaging views about certain places in the middle-east. Were you able to notice any patterns about people here when it comes to daily habits and fitness? Oscar Smith: Yes, definitely! Here, everyone drives. What I mean is that we don’t see enough people walking outside, exercising outside, etc. For example, back in California where the weather is also constantly sunny, everyone tries to have some kind of activity outdoors. Many people practice basket-ball or beach volley-ball, always trying to make the most of the sun and the good weather. I think people here should be focusing more on activities like that and avoid driving when they don’t really need to! Oh, and you guys are really crazy when driving! hahaha.. Lana: I have read a lot about your experience as a celebrity trainer, any anecdotes when working with celebrities or top models? Oscar Smith: Of course, there are so many anecdotes I can recall! For example, many of them get to the training studio and tell me “I did my cardio today, I walked to the casting” and then I just laugh and tell them it doesn’t count! Some of them also have very unhealthy diets and come to me saying “I didn’t eat yesterday so I can eat anything I want today” and then I try to make them understand that this is not the right balance for a healthy lifestyle. The funniest times is when they come to the training with their hair and makeup done before a casting and they tell me that they cannot sweat because they have a casting next and then I make them do everything possible so that they have to get their hair done over again!  Lana: We all have this idea that models simply don’t eat and this is why they’re all so skinny, I personally didn’t know that that much models train daily. Their muscles do not really show on the runway, what can you tell us about that? Oscar Smith: You must always remember how tall top models are and how a body type/structure greatly influences how you look. Many models I work with naturally have 7% of fat and no matter what we do, even if they build a lot of muscles, it won’t necessarily show, we can see it from up-close but on the runways all you can see is a beautiful toned body. Carmen Badar, Michael Kors’ Top model is an example. Lana: You must have so much fun working with them! Summer is at the doors, what tips can you give us to quickly pick up a good routine and get the ideal body before hitting the beaches? Oscar Smith: There are 5 main tips I can give you: 1) First, start a routine, today directly. There’s no such thing as waiting for monday! 2) Second, when you go to the gym, also start a training routine and stick to it. Then, you will need to change the exercises every now and then to make sure you get results. Even if you’re training with a Personal Trainer, when you feel that he’s repeating the workout, tell him to change it. 3) Next, make sure to exercise/gym at least 4 to 5 times a week. Use light weights (3-5 pounds max) and do 15 to 25 repetitions max. Do what you feel best, always! You could also include a yoga session per week, it’s excellent for stretching the muscles and release the stress. 4) Eat 6 meals a day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and snack (an apple or mixed nuts).  5) The idea is to always control the portions, it is the key to a successful diet and to see great results out of your trainings. Do not overeat proteins, keep the portions limited. Lana: Thank you so much for your time Oscar, looking forward seeing you again in Beirut and trying more of your classes! Oscar Smith: Thank you, it’s always a pleasure to be here and I’m sure to come back very soon! Fashionably yours, Lana xx  Share on FacebookShare this:PrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmail

I am wearing: short floral dress from Dior SS12 Collection, nude pink pumps from Dior SS13, Cartier love bracelets. Hair: Tony El Mendelek Makeup: Fady Kataya Fashionably yours, Lana xx Share on FacebookShare this:PrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmail

MFP Jewelry is a conceptual brand that was created by Maria Francesca Pepe. Somewhere between disco 70s, femme fatale and art movements, these jewelry pieces are the perfect contrast of bold and geometric designs with a hint of romanticism. Collaborations with high end brands, celebrity stylists, as well as high street mega retailers include: Urban Outfitters (US and UK), Topshop, Roksanda Ilincic, Amanda Wakeley, Lady Gaga by Nicola Formichetti and Rihanna by Mel Ottenberg. Some of MFP pieces were also seen on gorgeous Vogue covers. Today, L’Armoire De Lana gives you the chance of winning a MFP earcuff of my choice!! ALL YOU WILL HAVE TO DO: 1. Like Maria Francesca Pepe Facebook Page 2. Like L’Armoire De Lana’s Facebook Page 3. Like the picture on Facebook and/OR comment on this blogpost saying “I WANT”. Good luck! Competition end this Thursday May 23rd 2013. The winner will receive his giveaway shipped right from London. Fashionably yours, Lana xx Share on FacebookShare this:PrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmail

Last week, I had the pleasure to attend the launch of Karen Karam’s Spring Summer 2013 collection at her freshly opened atelier in Gemmayzeh street, facing Chili’s. I had a really good time during the event, discovering Karen’s work, chatting with a very nice crowd while enjoying sweet bites. What I liked the most about Karen’s work is the extremely good fabrics used, especially the gazar. I believe that the power of a dress first resides in the quality and the texture of the fabrics used. Here’s a glimpse at Karen’s work in pictures: Await an exclusive interview with Karen Karam coming up next week on the blog! Fashionably yours, Lana xx Share on FacebookShare this:PrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmail

Last thursday, I was invited to G-Star Raw press event at their first branch in Lebanon that opened at Beirut City Centre. I found this event very insightful as there were many things about this brand that I didn’t really know. Patrick Reytenbagh, G-Star’s business area manager gave us a round-up of the brand characteristics, of the products used but also few anecdotes on how some of the jeans were created. We also watched very nice videos summarizing how a jeans is crafted at G-Star Raw. This Core denim brand started off in 1989 with the goal of coming up with an idea that would differentiate their jeans from the others. This is when the 3D jeans were created in 1996. “We are architects of the jeans” said M. Reytenbagh and I found this very catchy. With G-Star Raw, you will make your jeans you very own diary, a concept that I fell in love with! You must drop by the store for a very different fashion experience. I’m sure many of you will love the raw aspect of certain of the jeans. For more updates, check G-Star Raw Beirut Facebook Page. Fashionably yours, Lana xx Share on FacebookShare this:PrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponEmail