ABAYA, HIJAB AND CAFTAN FASHION: September 2011

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Arabic Fashion

Arabic Fashion Fashionweek1

The runway featured low-cut silky gowns and red chiffons, but also a flurry of glittery embroidered fabrics, so typical of the Middle East.

And in the audience, of course, were men in traditional white dishdashas, typical of the Persian Gulf venue.

At the Abu Dhabi International Fashion Week, taking place from March 15 to 18, Arab and Western designers blended trendy tendencies in cuts and colors with Arabian influences in the choice of styles and accessories.

Fashionweek Arabic Fashion

For a while Dubai was getting all the attention as the Persian Gulf capital of glitz and glamour. Now its neighboring emirate is claiming a shiny spot on the very selective map of world fashion, alongside Milan, Paris and London.

Apparently it takes more than world-class fashion houses boosting the show to become a "City of Fashion." Shireena Al Nowais, from the Dubai-based Gulf News waxed catty about the Abu Dhabi venue:

The fashion shows are being staged in a somewhat shabby custom-built venue in the gardens of Emirates Palace. The venue, which comprises a few hundred chairs, a large screen and a catwalk made up of a thin plastic film spread out across the floor, which the models kept slipping on, is completely unsuitable for an international world-class fashion show.

Arabic Fashion

Abu Dhabi is striving to create its own breed of native designers. The surprise of the show, according to critics, was a set of designs conceived by young Emirati girls, aged 15 to 17.

Caught between tradition and modernity, their collection included a bright skirt made of woven palm leaves and another one made of compact discs.

More attuned to Middle Eastern roots were the designs of local stylist, Aisha Bin Desmal. Her work incorporates vivid traditional needlework, floating layers of colorful fabrics, and cascades of silver and gold jewelry.

Arabic Fashion

And still to hit the catwalk are the creations of Rabia Z., who designs stylish garments for modern veiled Muslim women.

The Abu Dhabi fashion week's website describes her Autumn/Winter 2008 collection as dedicated to black, the color of the abaya, or the black robe of the national women:

The Black Collection is designed with a variety of fabrics: cotton and rayon jersey, satin, jacquard, velvet, cotton and Linen. The pieces have been accented with rich and playful trims and embellishments, which the Khaleeji women love: Swarovski crystals, sequins and lace trims. Another

Arabic Fashion

Friday, September 16, 2011

DUBAI FASHION SHOW

Dubai city is already reputable as a worldwide fashion capital and a target for international talent. The event will consecutively run for four enchanting days starting today and thirty-four fashion designers both popularly known and beginning representatives of the worldwide fashion industry will be showcasing their collections.
The US, Europe and Asian designers are all set to thrill the lovers of fashion with both their modern and classic collections. They will also be presenting their upcoming trends and will get a chance to share their tips and skills. This Dubai Fashion Fiesta is also organized to connect principal retailers, high society spectators and international media on exclusive trade shows in the women’s market.

LATEST DUBAI FASHION SHOW

Style Diva Naseeba Sacranie, known to the UK’s Asian Fashion industry as the queen of catwalks and style, conquers Dubai Fashion Week A/W09 to get her fashion fix and uncover all the latest style candy that a lady can get!

STUDIO 8 made a huge impact with its debut show at Dubai Fashion Week. The highly-anticipated show attracted the crème de la crème of VIPs and fashionistas from Dubai and India, and did not disappoint the star-studded audience.

To open Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary took to the stage in a Pria Kataaria Puri gold net floor-length gown, which was met by rapturous applause. Puri’s collection palette was gold with ivory and cream splashes.

The opulent theme continued as Chitra Amarnani showcased her Sweety range. Heavily embellished abayas with crystals, stones, beads and pearls featured on the front and back.

Aiisha Ramadan kept things fun and floaty with her bright collection of floor-sweeping gowns. Waistbands were clinched in and there was a romantic feel to the dresses that had embellished details on the back and fabric flowers.

It was ruffles, long trains, prints and heavily decorated outfits for HSY. The collection of lengha’s were heavily beaded and there was a ornate feel to his range. Pakistani supermodel Mehreen Syed was his show stopper

But it was definitely Manish Malhotra who stole the show. Opening his collection by walking down the catwalk himself in a black velvet jacket with splashes of bronze gold, the popular Indian designer set the tone for the rest of his range. Things were funky, young, sexy and sporty.

The colour palette was limited to bronze-gold and black, and sheer nets were teamed with funky sneakers. The sporty feel of the collection was reflected in the prominence of the hoodies, while backs of tops were either cut-out or sheer. The show-stopper was Tusshar Kapoor who had specially flown in from Mumbai.