Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

   

    Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer, one of the prominent names in French fashion in the 20th century. He is also known for introducing the tuxedo suit for women. Yves has been credited for being the first designer to use ethnic models in his fashion shows, and taking aspects of designs form other cultures in his work.

       Yves Saint Laurent was born on Aug. 1, 1936, Oran, Algeria. He is an Algerian-born French fashion designer. He left for Paris after secondary school to pursue a fashion career and at 17 was hired as Christian Dior's assistant. When Dior died four years later, he was named head of the House of Dior. In 1962 he opened his own fashion house and instantly become known as one of the world's most powerful designers. He is most famous for the trousers for women for both city and country wear. Metallic and transparent fabrics were high-flying in his late '60s collections; in the 1970s, inspired by ethnic costume, he introduced the haute peasant look. During the 1960s and '70s his business expanded to include ready-to-wear licenses, accessories, household linens, fragrances, and men's clothes in addition to his couture business. Yves Saint Laurent retired in 2002, Saint Laurent spent much of his time at his house in Marrakech, Morocco and at the age of 71, he died from brain cancer in June 2008 on a trip back to his hometown Paris.

      I don’t know what it is that makes Yves an icon but I know for fact that whenever I think of who inspires me, his name appears in my thoughts. Although Yves’s life wasn’t recorded descriptively, he still managed to wow the minds of many, including those who never lived to see him. Fifty decades later and Yves Saint Laurent still manages to be one of the most remembered icons for his work of art. What first started out as a fashion name lives today as a fashion legend. 

 “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it.” –Yves Saint Laurent

“I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.” –Yves Saint Laurent

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” –Yves Saint Laurent 

Ayrton Senna

  Ayrton Senna

            Ayrton Senna is one of the most respected formula one drivers ever known to mankind. Ayrton Senna Da Silva was born on March 21, 1960 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His racing career started at the age of 4 in go-karts and he had his very first go-kart race at the age of 13 professionally.  He is an astonishing racecar driver and his strive to win was incredible because his only goal when he entered a race was to win; to achieve the first place. He didn't settle for anything less than that. He focused on the smallest niceties and thought out every detail as he steered across the race.

          He wasn’t just an amazing formula one driver but he was also an amazing human being. He was selfless, caring and giving. Senna died at the age of thirty-three with 41 victories, three World championships, 65 pole positions and 19 fastest lap in 161 races.  He died during The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix championship’s final race. On the day before Senna’s car crash there was also another race taking place, Austrian Ronald Ratzenberger died during that race. The death deeply upset Senna, reinforcing his safety concerns and made him consider retiring from the sport. Ironically, he spent his final morning meeting fellow drivers, determined after Ratzenberger's accident to take on a new responsibility to re-create the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, a Drivers' Safety group to increase safety in Formula One. Unfortunately Senna died that following day. After the crash an Austrian flag was found in Ayrton’s cockpit. He kept it there in hope that if he won the championship he would raise the flag of the country of Ronal Ratzenberger but Senna never lived to do so. The tragic death of the great racer was sudden and heartbreaking that even Brazil, a whole nation, mourned his death for three days. 

       It was even revealed that Senna donated millions of his money to the unprivileged in Brazil. He took care of his country and his people, no wonder was he immeasurably loved and idolized. His limitless thrive to succeed and his selflessness, to put other people's needs before his are all beautiful traits that resided in Senna. Whatever he did, was out of goodwill, even when no one was watching. The fact that he donated millions of his money anonymously shows us the true modesty of Aryton Senna. He was kind, compassionate and driven, he is what I call a true hero.

 “I don't know driving in another way which isn't risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other's.”-Ayrton Senna

“Wealthy men can't live in an island that is encircled by poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give a chance to everyone, at least a basic chance.” -Ayrton Senna

 “You must take the compromise to win, or else nothing. That means: you race or you do not.” -Ayrton Senna

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

            She seemed flawless at the time, as if nothing could make me see her imperfections no matter how hard I tried to look or how eager I was to find one flaw in her. It was as if I was blinded by her beauty that I was unable to look past the surface. When you’re a child you just take in what ever is put in front of you. I remember the first time I watched an Audrey Hepburn movie, I can recall it was Breakfast At Tiffany’s. My eyes glistened every time the beautiful Miss.Golightly appeared on the screen. I have never seen such grace, beauty and style summed up in one place. Audrey Hepburn mesmerized me even when I only knew her as Holly Golightly and to this day I can assure you, my admiration for her didn’t lessen in any way.

            Audrey Hepburn is a talented performer, a remarkable actress and one of Hollywood’s greatest style icons.  Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium by the name of Audrey Kathleen Ruston. She grew up in Netherlands but after Nazis invaded her hometown, Audrey and her mother were forced to flee the country. She reportedly helped the resistance movement by delivering messages, according to an article in The New York Times. After the war, Audrey’s interest in dance lead her to pursue ballet in Arnhem then she moved to London to continue to pursue her career as a dancer. She appeared in several European productions before landing her breakout role in the Broadway show “Gigi”. Audrey’s talent was easily spotted by Hollywood and in the next couple if years Audrey starred in “Roman Holiday”. Many were stunned by Audrey’s imitation of the role of princess Anne that won her an Academy Award for Best Actress for this performance. In the next decade Audrey starred in many blockbusters such as Sabrina, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Charade, My Fair Lady and so much more. Her easily gained fame made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons. After starring in many roles and winning many awards, Audrey decided to take another path in her life. She became a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF in the late 1980s. Hepburn traveled the world to help the less unfortunate and in hope of raising awareness about children in need. She empathized for what it was like to be hungry and go on for days without food from the journeys she went with the UNICEF organization. Making more than 50 trips, Hepburn visited UNICEF projects in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. She later won a special Academy Award for her humanitarian work in 1993 unfortunately she died before she could to receive it. Audrey died on January 20, 1993, at her home in Switzerland after struggling with colon cancer. Her work to help children around the world continues. Audrey’s children established The Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund children to continue Hepburn's humanitarian work in 1994.

          Audrey won twenty eight awards and was nominated for another twenty four but it isn’t the amount of awards that exalts her, matter of fact, it is her noble acts of kindness that makes her unique than most of the Hollywood actors of that time.  It is hard to find beauty, elegance and chivalry all summoned in one place but it was easy to find in the great Audrey Hepburn.

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”-Audrey Hepburn

“I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people’s mind is not in my mind. I just do my thing” –Audrey Hepburn

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. – Audrey Hepburn

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel

        Coco Chanel is a person who played a huge role in the fashion industry; her style was exotic and distinctive. She was a risk-taker, she never feared what others would think of her as long as she knew what she was doing was right.  Her unique approach to fashion made her one of the most praised fashion designers in the history of fashion.

         Coco was born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France. After her mother’s death, Chanel was put into an orphanage where she was raised by nuns who taught her many skills including sewing, a skill that would lead her into her life’s work. At the age of eighteen Coco left the orphanage. She worked as a performer in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she was called “Coco.” Around the age of 20, Chanel became involved with Etienne Balsan who offered to help her start a millinery business in Paris. She soon left him for one of his even wealthier friends, Arthur “Boy” Capel. Chanel opened her first shop in 1910 which only sold hats. After opening two more shops around the country, Coco began making clothes. In the 1920s, Chanel took her booming business to another level. She launched her first perfume, Chanel No. 5 and in 1925, she created the well-known Chanel suit with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. The idea of borrowing elements of men’s wear and creating pieces that was stylish yet comfortable during that time was groundbreaking. The international economic depression of the 1930s had affected her business severely, however it was the outbreak of World War II that gave Chanel no choice but to close her business. At the age of 70, Chanel made a dominant return to the fashion world. Coco Chanel died on January 10, 1971, at her apartment in the Hotel Ritz. Many crowded together at the Church of the Madeleine to say their goodbyes to the fashion icon. Coco created timeless designs that continue to be popular today. She became an admired style icon famous for her simple yet sophisticated outfits matched with great accessories.

            Coco struggled to reach her dreams. We could see from the beginning that she wasn’t afraid to be different. She believed in herself before anyone else believed in her. She had a conviction that what she was doing was right and was bold enough to take a step forward. What makes her so inspirational is that even after a long period of non-fulfillment she didn’t hesitate rise up again and follow her dreams.  Her life story is a valuable lesson that every human being must cherish; it is never too late to follow your dreams because when you lose hope, you lose your aspiration till you no longer have something to look forward to. Coco showed us the true meaning of endurance; to never lose hope, to have the courage to wait for something better. 

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” –Coco Chanel

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” –Coco Chanel

“Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.” –Coco Chanel

“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. “- Coco Chanel

“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.” – Coco Chanel

Moza AlKuwari

Moza Al-Kuwari

         I am truly thankful to have a mother like mine. The trust and drive she implanted in her children is what makes her so unique in ways many parents don’t understand. She gave her children the greatest gift a mother could provide to a child and that was aspiration. She believed in her children like all parents are supposed to, she never lost hope in any of her children, even when those around her told her that there was no point in believing in something that will never happen. To them Moza appeared to be naïve since she believed in what seemed as the impossible, she dreamt of what would always be a dream but never a reality. Nevertheless, Moza doubted the beliefs of those who surrounded her and followed her heart. Her determination in her children was unstoppable and to this day Moza still strives confidence in her children; she would remind us everyday that nothing is impossible unless we make it impossible; because of her we have become more than just an aspiration.

         Moza was brought up in a house with two loving parents, five brothers and three sisters. The lifestyle she lived was quite different than the way the Qataris live today. Life was simpler and less complicated but they did face a lot of hardship. Unlike this generation, Moza wasn’t pampered with the luxuries in her childhood. She lived a basic lifestyle, she went to school and like all children her age, she was expected to pass her classes, however, Moza didn’t know how to read or write. She found a lot of difficulty at the beginning of her school years and since both of her parents were illiterate no one was there to push her to do better but herself. She realized that no one would help her in her life; if she won’t help herself hence she pushed herself to learn. Eventually, she became one of the top achievers in her class and since she was the eldest of her siblings she voluntarily taught her younger brothers and sisters during their school years. She gave them the greatest gift and that was the gift of knowledge, a key that would lead them through their life’s success and make them what they are today.

       The world is a better place because of Moza and I thank every waking moment of my life that I was blessed with a mother like her. Moza Al-Kuwari is an inspiration to everyone and anyone. She is an inspiration to students, to mothers and to those who have nothing but faith.  She has the ability to see the best in others rather than their worst. The way she strived her children to exceed their limits is a trait that all mothers should acquire. She is an optimist who achieved her goals by believing that she can, she is a wonderful sister for voluntarily teaching her siblings and most importantly she is a phenomenal mother for trusting in her children’s abilities to succeed even when all the lights seemed dark.