Consider this your cheat’s guide to season 10.
The region’s premier showcase for style talent has just drawn to a close, and we’re still digesting all the fashion inspiration the three-day event had to offer.
Twenty-eight designers brought their best fashion game to Dubai’s Design District for the occasion, including—for the first time ever—five international labels.
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There were returning favourites Amato, Zareena, and Lara Khoury, as well as newbies like Ultruj and Asya Krasnaya, plus Ukranian Anna K, Canadian Sid Neigum, and Korean Eudon Choi, and much, much more.
Showing everything from couture and ready-to-wear to quirky accessories, the attending labels have given us enough new-season inspiration to build a new wardrobe from scratch. (Sorry, credit cards).
So in case you weren’t there, here’s our bite-sized guide to the best of Fashion Forward Season 10…
DAY ONE
Arwa al Banawi took us back to the ’80s with her colour-popping collection (think polka dots galore, vibrant orange hues, and oversized shoulders). We’re especially obsessed with this sequinned disco-worthy co-ord…
Essa also gave us some after-dark inspiration with an ebony-dominated line of architecturally designed minis. Isn’t this the perfect blend of gothic romanticism and futuristic proportioning?
Later that evening came a contemporary reinvention of the power suit, courtesy of Royaled by HR. And you’d certainly feel regal in this scarlet-hued two piece with an inspired cold shoulder:
We’ve also got a huge crush on the pret-a-couture brand’s crisp white abaya-influenced trench coat, given an uber-feminine twist with dainty rose detailing.
Talking of delicate, Lara Khoury’s collection delivered a masterclass in manipulating ethereal silks and fluid chiffons. With a mixture of girlish gowns and androgynous tailoring, the polished collection has the Midas touch (with models even sporting gold-leaf detailing on their skin).
Madiyah Al Sharqi took a fresh approach to sherbert hues, offering up a refined line of ruffled separates and slinky gowns. With flared trousers, floaty jumpsuits and printed shirt dresses, the Fujairah-based designer’s collection had a ’70s appeal that still felt very much of the moment.
Lebanese designer Hussein Bazaza also commanded attention with a fairytale-like collection of minis, midis and maxis. Woodland-inspired embroidery enhanced, rather than distracted from, vibrant panelling and shimmering metallic threads.
However the highlight of the night had to be Eudon Choi, the Seoul-born and London-trained designer who jetted in for his first FFWD show. The star, who’s dressed Sienna Miller and Chloe Moretz (to name just a few), dazzled the Dubai crowd with his blend of boyish tailoring and feminine sensibility.
Our favourite look had to be this fuchsia two-piece, empowering a relaxed silhouette with a beyond-bold colour palette.
DAY TWO
The day started off with the alternative wedding dress of our dreams (just check out the fringing on the right) thanks to Saudi’s Sara Altwaim. So Little House on the Prairie meets the 1970s, yes?
And the style stakes didn’t dial down all day. We particularly enjoyed the debut of Natalia Shustova’s collaboration with Dubai label S*uce (and have added this T-shirt to our must-buy list).
Nabil Nayal completely reinvented the chic white shirt, with a line boasting Victoriana, New Romantic and minimalistic takes on the wardrobe staple.
Young Ukrainian designer Anna K, who has shown at New York Fashion Week and counts Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner among her fans, delivered a collection rich in street appeal.
Canadian Sid Neigum, one of the five international designers on show, reigned supreme with clean lines and luxe fabrics. This silken indigo midi is the perfect example of the brand’s aesthetic (and what our Autumn wardrobe is crying out for).
Dubai-based Atelier Zuhra is all about delicate embroidery, artistic design and glamorous finishes, and the brand’s runway show was faithful to those pillars of style. The mix of mesh and intricate beading had us particularly mesmerised.
For new season officewear, we’re going to be taking a leaf out of Utruj’s book. The Jeddah-based label is renowned for its modest womenswear pieces with a contemporary aesthetic, and certainly delivered with these geometric prints and muted hues.
DAY THREE
Portuguese designer João Rolo is famed for his high-octane eveningwear, and we were particularly taken with his ultra-glam, feather-sprinkled pieces.
For those into a utilitarian aesthetic, Asya Krasnaya’s display is worthing checking out.
Mohanad Kojak’s showstopper did just that, with its dramatic froth of tulle and lashings of sequins.
We’re also going to be embracing the label’s beauty look (red-hued eyeshadow and perfectly stained lips feel so autumnal).
For more pared-back elegance, Zareena’s earthy tones and tribal-inspired embroidery brought together the best of tradition and the 21st century.
Finishing off season 10 in spectacular style was Amato, the Dubai-based label with a knack for the theatrical.
And with a collection boasting Midsummer’s Night’s Dream-worthy gowns, avant-garde tailoring and artfully-constructed embellishments, the couture label more than delivered for another season.
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Well, that’s it for this time folks – now, to put all our Autumn/Winter inspiration in a humungous Pinterest board…
Images: Supplied, Getty, Instagram
