Begum Aga Khan

Happy Birthday Princess Salimah Aga Khan

Princess-Salimah-Aga-Khan-SOS-Kinderdorf-International

Happy Birthday to Princess Salimah Aga Khan, who turns 80 today! Born Sarah Frances Croker-Poole, the daughter of Lt.-Col. Arthur Edward Croker-Poole and Jean Margaret Watson, in New Delhi, she grew up in Britain and was among the last debutantes presented to the Queen in 1958.

She married, firstly, Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart, son of John Crichton-Stuart, 5th Marquess of Bute and Lady Eileen Beatrice Forbes, on 25 June 1959. She and Lord James Charles Crichton-Stuart were divorced in 1968. One year later, she married Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism, son of Prince Aly Aga Khan and Hon. Princess Tajuddawlah Aga Khan, in 1969. During her marriage to the Aga Khan, her official name was Her Highness The Begum Salimah Aga Khan, although she remained informally known as Sally. The couple had three children: Princess Zahra Aga Khan (born 18 September 1970), Prince Rahim Aga Khan (born 12 October 1971) and Prince Hussain Aga Khan (born 10 April 1974). The couple sadly divorced in 1995. Following their divorce, she kept the title of ‘Princess’ (but losing the style ‘Highness’).

Since Their Highnesses separated, more then ever, Princess Salimah has committed herself to supporting various humanitarian efforts, especially those in the areas of health and child support. It became her life.

Princess Salimah is a child-welfare activist and a prominent supporter of the charity SOS Children’s Villages International (SOS Kinderdorf International), becoming its first International Ambassador. She appointed the first SOS-Kinderdorf International Ambassador for Children in 2000, is actively involved in that organization’s work and has visited SOS Children’s facilities in Cambodia, Nepal, Romania, France, Egypt, India, Austria, South Africa, Pakistan, Germany, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama, Portugal, and the United States. Princess Salimah Aga Khan, has also been active in the Aga Khan Development Network, and resides in Switzerland since 1969.

Come into the world of SOS Children’s Villages International

 

Princess Salimah is very respected and loved, for her eternal love, her kindness (I will never forget!), her honesty, and her help (she hates the word ‘charity’!). Yakymour wishes her a beautiful birthday with her familiy and friends. Hope we’ll meet again. Love always.

by Jean Amr

 

 

 

Deauville Beauty Contest, Miss France Yvette Labrousse, 1930

International beauty contest, filmed on August 12, 1930. The scenes include contestants from Germany, England, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Russia, The Bronx, New York, Hoboken, New Jersey, United States and France, competing in an international beauty contest, Deauville (France)

With Miss France 1930, Yvette Labrousse – Yvonne Blanche Labrousse – later known as Om Habibeh, the lady of Yakymour the Begum Om Habibeh ‘Mata Salamat’ Aga Khan, fourth and last wife of Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah, Aga Khan III.

 

 

 

 

Wedding Aly Khan and Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth and Prince Ali Khan on their wedding day in the French Riveria, May 27, 1949

In 1948, the American actress was introduced to the Prince Ali Khan at a party thrown by columnist Elsa Maxwell and the lovers promptly engaged a relationship threatened by religious groups and Hollywood narrow-minded spirits denouncing their affair that had begun when both were not yet officially divorced but also scandalized by the non-Christianity of the playboy prince.

Whatever, the sexy actress turned into a princess and stayed away of screens, dedicating herself to domestic life and her two daughters.

Rita Hayworth and Prince Ali KhanRita Hatworth and Prince Ali Khan on their wedding day in the French Riveria

Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan at Wedding Aly Khan Rita Hayworth

Her Highness The Begum Aga Khan III attends the wedding of her stepson Prince Aly Khan to Rita Hayworth at Château de l’Horizon in the South of France on May 27, 1949.

However, fairy tales don’t always lead to happy endings and Rita Hayworth called for divorce in 1951 after her husband was remarked with Joan Fontaine. Rita Hayworth had left the spotlights of Hollywood for the soft sunlight of elegant holiday resorts but was constrained to return to obscurity, behind the oppressive shadow of Gilda.

The Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais presents Hubert de Givenchy retrospective

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From June 15 to December 31, 2017, The Museum of Lace and Fashion in Calais, France, is holding an exhibition dedicated to the work of Hubert de Givenchy, the legendary fashion designer and founder of the French Maison. Seventy outfits symbolizing his inspirations, his expertise and his significant encounters recap almost six decades of fashion design. Now 90, the designer has dressed some of the most amazing women in the last 50 years, from Audrey Hepburn to The Begum Aga Khan to Daisy Fellows.

The master of couture and dress presents an inside look to his work and inspiration.

The show will see 70 outfits from private wardrobes, the Givenchy archives and the collection of several European museums go on public display for over six months. Under the artistic direction and curation of Hubert de Givenchy himself, the exhibition will retrace the couturier’s entire career, from his first collection in 1952 to his sumptuous wedding gowns and his key encounters.

The show, which presents couture creations in sober white, gray and black display cases backed by mirrors, opens with a section dedicated to haute couture fabric samples. Essential tools in the creation of bespoke garments, the different fabrics and textiles with which Hubert de Givenchy worked hold a key place in the exhibition. In fact, exceptional textiles are something of a running theme, with the show also highlighting the work of artisans the couturier worked with for decades, such as embroiderers Lesage and Vermont, and fabric manufacturers Abraham and Beuclère.

Standout pieces include a blue and white striped organza sheath dress worn by the Duchess of Windsor, a famous ‘Bettina’ cotton blouse dating from 1952, a spectacular ball gown in Chantilly Lace  and satin, an evening ensemble in lame brocade and embroidered with gold and silver braids, metallic leaves and beads, and a cocktail dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Blake Edwards’ movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’.

Tiffany & Co. Blue Box Cafe Audrey Hepburn GIF

Certain encounters proved particularly influential on the work of Hubert de Givenchy. From Jacqueline Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor to the Countess de Borchgrave, the designer dressed some of society’s most stylish figures. Meeting his muse, Audrey Hepburn, proved particularly decisive, both for his career and for the actress’ style, which was built through their friendship. A whole section of the exhibition will explore this relationship, featuring several gowns worn by Audrey Hepburn in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and ‘How to Steal a Million’, as well as clips from her movies.

In addition, the exhibition highlights the designer’s artistic inspirations and explores Givenchy fragrances, while also showcasing exceptional eveningwear creations and imposing wedding gowns made from lace and tulle.

Hubert de Givenchy – The Museum of Lace and Fashion, Calais, France will be opened from June 15 to December 31, 2017.