Humariff: With its fall winter 2022/23 couture collection, Tamam Humariff drove its connection between the cultures of the Middle East and Russia even further in what came to the limelight as a regal wedding party.
Jean-Louis Sabaji: Arab designer Jean-Louis Sabaji opened the Arab Fashion Week with his SS23 collection in collaboration with the world’s most iconic doll, Barbie. The collection presented feathers, crystals and Barbie’s iconic ponytail silhouette reflected as cuts and flairs on the designs.
Euphoria: Founded in Dubai in 2019, designer Rabia Alsheikh’s “Infinity” collection of dresses came to fruition in a symphony of bold, captivating, flowy and energetic pieces.
Malichè: Known for its bridal couture, Filipino designer Michel Bernardo showed the UAE crowd what her brand Malichè is capable of beyond the altar.
Mena Telal: Every guest at the party – from the traditional to the polished, and from the risk taker to the blaze’ chic – was addressed by Mena Talal in her latest couture show dubbed “Gemstones.”
Nihan Peker: Showing in Dubai marks a new chapter for Turkish label Nihan Peker to captivate the couture-loving market here. At Arab Fashion Week, her “Golden Age” collection shined a spotlight on the sort of high-end craftsmanship made possible by Turkish artisans and the Eurasian country’s rich heritage.
Michael Cinco: Inspired by the ancient history and culture of Egypt, Cinco built looks that were deeply rooted in the civilization’s architecture, aesthetic detail, and ancient scriptures.
Lisa Ju: The focus of Indonesian designer Lisa Ju’s couture runway show was Volumes, density, and textures, where an enchanting butterfly took flight. Named “Farfalla,” Ju’s show-stopping designs conveyed a sense of lightness through layered fabric manipulations and handmade techniques.
Lili Blanc: An intrepid explorateur, a savvy urbanite, a self-made woman… these were the sort of muses UAE-born designer Sabrina Mouhieddine of Lili Blanc spoke to with her spring-summer 2023 ready-to-wear show. Named “Reflection”, the season’s teaser featured women in blazers and top hats wandering through nature, underscoring a journey toward self-awareness and empowerment.
POCA & POCA: Frills, fringe, and feathers were the playful elements that made POCA & POCA’s spring-summer “Joy” collection captivating in both spirit and design.
Vidhi Wadhwani: Like a small Holi Festival of color, Vidhi Wadhwani’s summer 2023 resort collection was an homage to the brand’s artisans. In hyper color shades of intense grass green, fuchsia, and canary yellow, this latest collection featured mesmerizingly intricate, almost folkloric embroidery techniques that can only be made with patient hands.
BHYPE: In an outdoor football field, BHYPE’s soccer-inspired lineup, emblazoned with the FIFA flags of the world, ushered in the upcoming World Cup Qatar festivities.
Emergency Room: “We need humanity, more than cleverness… life will be violent, and all will be lost” read the screen at Emergency Room’s “Borderline” show. With a name that stems from the belief that the world needs to drastically change its wasteful ways, the Beirut-based sustainable, and ethically focused brand portrayed a united world where flags are obsolete.
Zardouz: Iranian designer Mohammad Amin Pour Eskandarian’s everyday couture boutique in downtown Tehran visually conveys the everyday impact the Middle East’s crisis has on everyday life.
Louzan: Silk abaya-inspired ensembles awash in a palette of Arabian sunset-to-sunrise colors sashayed down the runway to the tune of a heritage soundtrack.
The Giving Movement: An urban palette of grey, black, and white set the tone for the last show on the Arab Fashion Week roster. Hijabs, silky pajamas, utilitarian track pants, tees crisscrossed with hiking straps, and models clad in workout gear closed the curtain on one of the most dynamic fashion weeks.
As the Arab Fashion Week Women’s Ready-To-Wear Spring-Summer 2023 season comes to an end after a six-day affair of international fashion crossed with Arabian tastes, we round up our favourite looks from the runway.
