Isn't summer the most passionate season?!
The ''Dolce' Hedonism” of fashion where the Spring and Summer runways of Gucci's Hollywood dream, Marc Jacobs postapocalyptic edge models (as Steff Yotka puts it) together with Dolce & Gabbana's artisan work returning to the traditional History of Sicily in the Alta Moda fashion show held in Syracuse, bend together to hit the hearts of the fashion lover's public with remarkable vibrancy!
Seen at runaway shows from Paris to Milan, New York to London, and Tokyo, the trends of Summer 2022 come in all shapes and sizes!
Of course, lingerie with significant platform heels is still on as it used to be in all the recent seasons, giving the French chic-explicit-girl-look that magical hint that is here to stay!
The biker jackets the one leather jacket that most of us can't live without, now has made a big comeback!
At Prada and Balenciaga, the biker jacket trend came in oversized fits and multiple zippers!
Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, the biker brought back the ’90s era with a much more feminine figure fit. Alexander McQueen mixed denim with leather giving an interesting turn to the trend!
The short skirts, playful colors and all-white looks, fringed stripes, black and white stripes are the trends to stay this whole summer. The polka dot asymmetric skirt and tops are dominating the streets and runaways once more!
What would Summer be without its sexy looks?
Aren't the hot tight dresses the most feminine look of summer?
Well, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana had them both, in latex and lace as a fashion statement of the Italian women.
These summer fashion trends are set to reign the streets and give to all the liberty of mixing fashion with casual comfortable clothing and accessorizing.
''La Moda'' (Fashion) as both Italians and Spanish people put it is an education of the beautiful, the perfectionist, and pragmatic art. Wherever you go you can make it part of yourself!
4 SEASONS magazine gives you all the directions and both the inspiration to make the best of it!
Make all your ''Midsummer's night dreams'' come true by playing with the new and old fashion trends to make the most of this season!
Stay Bold!
Ina Gjata
Technology has allowed easy access to real-time information, and suddenly niche blogs and topics started to go mainstream. What people used to define as street wear in the 80s or 90s was what people were just wearing out and about on the street, whereas in the 2000s what happened was that street wear took over fashion shows. Nicole Phelps, notes that “The people who were outside the shows became as interesting and sometimes even more interesting subjects than the looks on the runway, because there was something gripping about the authenticity of the look on the street, of the fabulous runway piece worn in reality and given personality by the person who was wearing it.”
It has been since 2009 that bloggers have launched themselves into the fashion world, they have entered the high fashion circles, VIP invitations to fashion events are encountering them more and more on fashion pages. 4 SEASONS itself says that fashion bloggers, have invited themselves to this party we call high fashion and they are now a fundamental part of it.
Estela Ujka is a blogger who has hundred thousand followers, with an authentic style, inspirational and interesting Instagram account, and blogs.
She has studied Finance at the University of Tirana and has an eighteen-year-old career in the bank, where right now holds the position of the Scrum Master in Corporation. A very good example to many other bloggers, Estela also a mother and once a TV personality tells us more about blogging and herself in this interview.
Describe yourself in three words.
I would call myself fortunate, for being able to accomplish what I want in life, fulfilled as a woman and a mother and very comfortable with myself.
Tell us more about your education.
I have finished studying Finances, Economics at the University of Tirana. From eighteen years I have built a career in the bank which has started with credit giving later I held the position of the IT and from a year I am the Scrum Master in the Corporation.
How did you start your blog, tell us more?
The Blog started of as a game, as a diary of outfits and thoughts on style or exchanging suggestions. At first there was Facebook photo albums and then the posts on the BlogSpot, accompanied by short writing. After 2011 the main activity was happening on Instagram. At first everything was spontaneous and there was no purpose in itself and the numbers were not that important.
How would you describe your relationship with fashion?
I have been drawing since I was a child and when I was in the 5th grade I could count hundreds of sketches that I had drawn, which I dreamt one day too see on the runaway. Of course, that my 5-year career in the Television educated my senses on style and also the importance an image could hold, so it was impossible to not keep communicating through the image. I think that I have a healthy relationship with fashion, I do not follow the trend of the moment but I try to choose clothes and accessories that stays well on me and that never go out of style. It is a factor of age and of the fact that fashion repeats its patterns, but to me it it important to feel good with myself in this phase of my life.
In which typology do you find yourself more comfortable?
I think that the classic and effortless style really suit me but I do take risks with colours. Always my combinations must be personalized, or must have my touch so they can be identified with my style.
I get inspiration from my body shape meaning that my style is not related to the years and neither with weight or width, everybody can dress well and feel good about themselves.
Which are the colors you mostly use in your wardrobe?
My favorite colour is white and all the neutral colours. Of course, that the classic colour black must in the wardrobe. The other colors are inappropriate and they must be used rarely with serious taste. Throughout the summer I like to use colours and fierce prints.
Where do you find you inspiration?
I find inspiration at everything that gives me pleasure; it might be a picture on social media. Movies, music, a lady on the streets, a magazine cover, a good mood. Nature is a great inspiration and lately I feel like Sun sets are a must for my creativity.
Your favorite Make up?
For make up everything starts with a well treated skin that shines and does not need to be covered. The skin to me represents health and happiness, I take really god care of my skin. A combed defined eyebrow raises my self esteem. Without treating my eyebrows, I don’t feel myself, after this I put on mascara and blush and go out. On more special occasions I prefer to go with smoky eyes with the colours of the Earth. Sometimes I treat myself with a full glam make up. There is only some artist whom I can trust.
What is in your plans for the future of your blog?
It might look weird but I want to teach girls and women to love, respect themselves and each other. I think that the blog except for the beautiful outfits or lifestyle suggestions, educates and motivates and inspires those who follow me to be the best version of themselves. I totally believe that women must have the courage to build a beautiful life for themselves. That is what I want to do with my blog in the future.
How is your relationship with your followers?
I respect and am thankful to every person who follows me. I have promised myself that I would be sincere and authentic in these things that I say. I am very active and I try to collaborate and reply to almost everyone, especially if they have any questions. Sometimes due timing issues I can sound a bit rude and do not reply within the instant, but I am very convinced that they understand me. If I met them in person, I hug them because I really don't think I am different from them, whoever has met me in person always agrees that I am the same person both on social media and real life.
Do you enjoy being a blogger?
Do I enjoy being a blogger?
This is my dream come true and I am proud for what I have achieved. My blog and social media have given me the opportunity to communicate and have a social impact on society. Blogging has given me friendships and connections that no other job would have given me. I am very happy that now it is also being perceived by other people as a real profession and it is also being respected.
What do you enjoy and what displeases you as a blogger?
I like when girls and women trust the products I market on my page. I like that they follow and respect what I do. The only thing that displeases me are the negative comments that women write, I do not reply to them, but they upset me a lot.
Do you have any favorite brands and which are them?
Like every other woman I think that are some iconic brands that everyone would love to have in their wardrobe like Channel, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Valentino. At this moment I would like to single out Balenciaga.
The best place you have ever visited?
The best place I have ever visited is Rome.
What are your favourite accessories?
My favorite accessories are glasses and earrings. I like earrings because you can put multiple earrings on your ear, that suits your outfits. As for glasses they can change the whole outfit I think, I love hats as well.
What is your message to your followers?
For my followers and the people, I follow I give them hugs and kisses. I promise I will be consistent and creative for the years to come and don't forget to pass it forwards.
Ina Gjata
The 350 young fashion designers competed with their collections, with the hope to promote their art and show their talent to the fashion-culture-oriented public.
It was like the haute – couture shows shown in Paris and Milano – the Mayer of Tirana said for 4SEASONS magazine. The organization of this show was an obligation we had to the young Albanian talents because there are so many of them. The whole show was an experiment we loved organizing: added Veliaj.
The Union of Municipalities is a newly founded non-profit association of Albanian municipalities across Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, and Serbia together with co-authors Andriola Kambo and Rudina Magjistari as well as the famous model house '' Grace Models'' were able to bring to the public Muse Competition.
Andriola Kambo expressed in a few words that organizing this event was a matter of passion done to open new windows for young artists. She was also very excited to be among such an extinguished jury composed of the international photographer Fadil Berisha, ethnographer Aferdita Onuzi, designer Enada At'Nikolla, and stylist Valdrin Sahiti, well-known actress, also a member of Parliament Kosovo, Adriana Matoshi, famous painter Helidon Haliti among others.
Every fashion designer presented 10 outfits mostly made by hand so the whole show was an inspiring- aspiring haute couture designer's show.
The first contestant also the winner was inspired by an old Albanian tradition of white lace decor the fabric from which her outfits were composed, almost all -white showing off some skin Alisa Dudaj brought her winning collection, which was also very enjoyable to watch, called Callidus - Latin for the art of creating.
The whole finale show was themed after Albanian pop retro outfits from different countries of Albania and the outfits were mostly hand sewing.
-Traditional meets the modern, but where do they meet?
-And what does it bring to nowadays fashion culture?
Artisanal work, the ancient Totems, and fabrics that are used to cloth long-gone centuries, some among the few points where the traditional meets the modern as many of the young designers expressed while describing their collection.
In a short interview Elda Sulaj one of the designers said for the 4SEASONS magazine:'' The principal element of the collection is the black band used as decor on the outfits combined with bright colors on men cloth belts.
The outfits are accompanied by embroidery and needlework''.
I noticed the black and white evident principal colors on this collection, the crop tops which since in the '90s have made a huge comeback, of course, Elda added the embroidery as massive traditional women work as the theme of her fashion collection named ''A little bit of tradition much emotion''.
1. Let's return to the winning collection of Alisa Dudaj, minimalistic and almost all in white but conveying the pop culture of white lace embroidery, bringing back images of the feminine maiden. She won the first prize, so her outfits would be a hit for this summer.
2. Kaone Duriqi won the second prize with the ' Has' fashion collection and our impression was literally Wow! Grunge high heels, glitter, vintage fabrics, and a red-carpet dress, all made from recycled fabrics and artisanal work.
3. The third price was divided by Etnik Shala ''Ethnikography'' and Kiara Musabelliu '' On stone''
Etnik Shala's collection was a meeting with old Byzantium, baroque style, and large flowing dresses!
Kiara's outfits seemed inspired by the stone myths of Albanian regions, underlining feminine posture and figures under dark colors and a final wedding dress.
Mahmudije Nimanbegu had a full bridal meeting boho meeting modern brides for the summer. Inspired by the Ulqin, Montenegro bride her outfits rocked the catwalk.
Kejdi Biraci's collection was focused on Totemic figures. Who has read Freud knows about the tight relationship between Totemic cultures and the Balcans. An inspiring meeting with the Goat and Aries brought through modern outfits, this designer represented different women archetypes, the Illyrian, the Totemic, the modern, the traditional + jazz one, etc.
Jetta Jashari from the region of Rekë in Northern Macedonia was focused on underlining the motives from this particular region. Cubic patterned tights, belts and hats gave me a hint from previous Louis Vuitton cubic patterned outfits. White chiffon dresses with sequins held a very good line of a very eye-pleasant fashion collection. The set of jackets of Vjona Gashi was particular. Since the Gucci season of jackets is still upon us, different, fancy even asymmetric jackets very good sewn were the main theme of the ''Odelles'' collection, which good fit very well on street style fashion culture.
I think this fashion show held in the capital of Albania, Tirana in Scanderbeg square had so much to show to the public. Young talents offered a high fashion show, sewn by hand on retro fabrics and materials.
If I could substantiate the show I'd go with: Identity cannot be stolen or recreated, it is born within individuals and its forms of representation are what we call art. Be down with your skin, even if it might be totemic, goddess-like, or a modern hand-sewn outfit themed after our ancestors!
Much Love and keep up the excellent work!
Ina Gjata
Bela – “Belinda Style” a designer who studied in Paris, author of artisan artwork, aims to always work on what she loves: Handmade jewelry and large accessories.
Her grandfather Fatmir Haxhia, a well-known painter was the one to inspire Bela since she was young. Ethnographic motivates Bela's ideas on creating art. Throughout the years she has produced many fashionable clothing and a wide variety of accessories. Her products are always up to date with new inspiring ideas as a way to brighten up the edgy capital days. The essentialism of Bela's work comes through her with different materials such as different stones and leather.
Passionate about her work!
Very decisive in her art work she loves doing only what she is inspired to.
Building this kind of business wasn't easy - she says, mentioning the many difficulties that she had to face and the incredible support from her husband.
Aesthetics, architecture, abstracts, colors, minimalistic accessories are the things that make fashion bold and expressive, substantially that's what you meet at Bela Belinda's online store.
What is it like having your own online fashion business?
As McLuhan mentions the media is an extension of people and as so many online businesses, fashion pages, are making their way onto the fashion universe since Instagram, Facebook and other social medias have become the most used applications in people's everyday life, a different way of shopping was presented to the public. With the pandemic online shopping became like a habit, and Instagram has its own new In-style, which may not be the catwalk high fashion but it is presented to the masses and it is gaining traction.
A new way of popular fashion
Bela has an wide variety of clients inventing the new in-style, as being the new theatrics into the catwalks of every day life. Online fashion have brought in a new sense of profiled fashion.
Designing your own clothes or jewellery or any other artwork has a new public entrance. Fashion business industry is projected into the social medias and this is the new fashion insider. Artisan work isn't very easy but it is inspirational and the connections that Bela has with ethnographic costumes gives people a hint of history of traditional costumes.
So what people perceive as the new normal it is most likely to be found on Instagram pages. The fashion industry has changed its way to a more social media based than it was before.
People are most likely to find their own in-style in this kind of shops than running through malls holding multiple bags of products like Blair Waldorf used to do in Gossip Girl.
Profiles of new fashion products are being exposed to the public everyday and are far more reachable than ever before.
Building your own style has never been easy and 4 SEASONS magazine is here to help you reach your best fashion style.
Stay tuned for more!
Ina Gjata
As sacredness meets visual arts the individual stands in the way of understanding why and how
art impacts the people and how the époques divide the people.
The technique of iconography is divided from modern art through conceptualization, purpose, meaning, and form of use.
Moments of history marked on egg tempera and golden bay. Therefore, both the factual and expressional meanings might be classified together: they constitute the class of both primary and natural meanings, as explained by academic Erwin Panofsky.
As a visual form of art that has ascended to express sacred acts as a hereditary form of civilized men.
Renaissance is marked as the totem of civilization, the totem of art. The unmarked territory.
Present to worldwide exhibitions and a theme of many fashion collections, the renaissance is far from an art of the past but a concrete form of art.
Pojani, an Iconographer in the age of postmodernism or sub urbanism gives his all to the art of iconography and the art of the sacred. It is no time for iconography to die.
The painter has graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana. Since 1997 he has worked on iconography creating numerous murals and wood paintings commissioned mainly by the Orthodox Catholics Church. He has painted icons and frescoes at the Theological Academy of Tirana and Durrës, the Churches of Lezha and many other churches in Italy. In 2018 the Albanian President gave one of his iconic paintings to the Pope of the Vatican.
Given all to iconography, Herald Pojani has a long list of achievements.
Iconography as a visual art
The technique of Iconography requires meaning, hard work, and vision. There is a precise technique that has been passed down for centuries. It is not a form of false paragraphs brought together meaning absolutely nothing, it is the whole contrary, it is education in Beauty, Philosophy, and Logic.
All the metaphysics of time which hold the human morals of the divine beauty reminiscent themselves in iconography through Millennials, in-between civilizations, and in the golden age of Byzantium. Its structural forms and its structures have millennials of history showing themselves through the perfection of the lines. The golden auric lines, and the Virgin Mary, all stand as historic, as perfectly put colours and visionary talent.
Murals, icons, in the golden bay, and different aesthetics well-put colours in iconography and byzantine-inspired style.
Iconography is the complex writing of the picture. Herald Pojani brings precise portraits of Saints, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.
The sweet sound of sacred philosophy unleashes its history through the brushes in the painting. Brushes, colours and history.
The statement brought its decisive and as iconography the art of the sacred requires profound.
Dolce & Gabbana brought an entire collection of Iconography and Byzantine empire art in 2013.
Time and history are the real art makers, not the stealing of ideas, or the blurry and miseducation of beauty.
Beauty needs education, and art critic is education so as we speak broadly of art. Time is the one picking out real art, real amusement, and recognition. Iconography is high education of visual arts and beauty.
Three analogous levels of meaning in art become the objects of pre-iconographic, iconographic, and iconological interpretation. Recognition that form may refer to "themes and concepts" as well as visual experiences presupposed both a correct pre-iconographic description and knowledge of the literary sources. Panofsky's definition of image as a conventional association of motif and literary content is easily seen as parallel to the concept of "sign." - Christine Hasenmueller
In iconography, the image is birthed by its dualistic nature; a reference in the art to nature and a reference to literature.
The phenomena are discussed between the signifier and the signified where the ''sign'' is defined by the ambiguous relationship of both, related as part of the whole picture.
Where the signifier is the icon and the public is the signified. The relationship which is created between the '' pure arts'' and the human is the '' sign'' that births the concepts of the fundament of belief.
Herald Pojani uses vivid colours which are signifiers too. For example, ''The Virgin Mary'' located in the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Vlahos, Theological Academy in the painting the colour blue signifies the infinity (beautifulness) of the sky, the gold auric colour symbolizes the sacred, and the colour red symbolizes the power of blood.
The divulging power of the metaphysics of iconography is not just a thesis it is the educational form of human arts and beyond where expression meets the need of meeting higher forms of understanding.
The philosophy of Beauty is expressed through the factual art of iconography as the sign expressed by the signifier and the signified.
Herald Pojani brings a whole other philosophy to our suburban Époque. The whole respiration meta morphed into beings and lines. Breathed, structured, and holding a whole renaissance form of painting, Pojani walks through the époques bringing the golden Byzantine Empire into nowadays art critic and philosophy. Beauty in art is an educational form and as such is interpreted, discussed, and brought into the thesis. It is not expressional; it is structural and it comes from the man above.
Ina Gjata
Klodiana Karici
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