[Image: Andraya Farrag at the event, wearing Bedouin.]
Bedouin founder and creative director, Andraya Farrag, presented her spring/summer 2017 womenswear collection at a lavish and stunning bohemian event held in the Arabian desert. The designer stated: “I have always dreamed of hosting an event in the desert as it has always been a source of inspiration for me. This event was very near and dear to my heart as it was a perfect expression of this collection and a great way to properly introduce ourselves to Dubai.”
The former Central St Martins student worked with luxury designer brands including Marchesa and Diane Von Furstenburg in the past. The designer’s feminine, contemporary and easy to wear collection oozes confidence, versatility, modernity and chic-appeal. Bedouin has influence from global cultures and traditions to create aspirational and adaptable clothing.
In an exclusive presentation, Bedouin welcomed fifteen women from the region in a camp created in the heart of the Margham Desert Reserve. In collaboration with Arabian Adventures, Bedouin showcased select looks from their Moroccan-inspired collection with a backdrop of rolling dunes and a gorgeous Arabian sunset. The desert camp was dressed in furnishings from Tribe Dubai, an interiors company that focuses on sustainable and fair trade homewares and décor.
For the spring/summer 2017, Farrag drew inspiration from nomadic Berbers to form a contemporary minimalist twist. There are unique textures that are created by geometric details, hand woven ribbon and asymmetric silhouettes that make a subtle yet impactful punch. Each piece was created with the world traveller in mind to effortlessly transform their appearance from day to evening. Whether styled with an elegant pair of heels, or trainers with a street style edge, each piece is versatile allowing the wearer to enhance their personal style.
a&e had a one-to-one with the creative director:
What is your inspiration behind your SS17 collection?
Each season Bedouin’s collections are inspired by the contrast of tradition with the contemporary style of a modern day jet-setting woman. Inspired by the world, its history and its future, I usually gravitate towards culture and travel as a starting point for each collection. For SS17 I was drawn to Morocco and the nomadic Berber communities combining jacquards inspired by woven rugs with easy-to-wear silhouettes perfect for the modern day desert dweller. The collection took a slight punk twist with a piece named ‘Rock The Kasbah’ after the iconic song by The Clash. Punk inspired lettering on a ‘90s denim jacket silhouette promotes a carefree positive aesthetic. This collection for me was all about good vibes, sunshine and a clean, simplistic take on Bohemia.
How long did it take to make the collection?
As there is such a strict fashion calendar we usually only have around four to five months to create the collection from beginning to end. As a new brand with a small team it’s always a challenge to complete the collection each season, and somehow it never gets easier, but we always achieve it and outdo ourselves. I like to think it is because as the brand grows so does the collection, not only in size but also in creativity. There is always a mad rush at the end no matter what we do, and I am always adding new designs at the last minute! I remember when I was working for brands with 20 people on the design teams, they were always making last minute changes as well, therefore I have come to terms with the fact that this is how life is going to be! This is the design world.
What are the key themes for the new line?
Inspired loosely by nightwear there are many striped silks in the collection in the form of pinstripe chiffon, raw silk and a lurex-silk mix. My personal favourites are the stripes crafted from panels of luxurious crepe satin seen in pieces such as our African Sun Top Culottes. I loved playing around with interesting colour combinations here and experimenting with the chevron raw edge finishing. Other themes include fabrics reminiscent of traditional Berber textiles with metallics, fringing and weaving. Like in each Bedouin collection, SS17 takes well-known silhouettes such as the trench coat and the denim jacket and re-imagines them in modern jacquards.
You hosted a stunning event for VIP’s to introduce the collection, tell us more about it? Why the desert and what made it so special for you guests?
We headed to the desert this week for an intimate dinner with some fabulous women that have been supporting us since the launch of the brand two years ago. Arabian Adventures, a UAE institution known for creating authentic desert experiences, were kind enough to collaborate with us by providing us with a stunning backdrop in the middle of nowhere in the Margham desert. Our guests were treated to a nature tour where they discovered Oryx and Gazelles before arriving at the Bedouin camp. Greeted with delicious Patron cocktails and a very popular camel, Junoon, who happily obliged them all a photo op, the guests were lead into our stunning little oasis for a beautiful Arabian inspired meal under the stars.
It was an incredibly personal evening for me over anything else, as it was a great opportunity for me to share my appreciation with some incredible women who have done so much for me and for the brand. Although Bedouin is a growing brand, we are still very small and it really is the very women at the dinner, and others from the region, who have enabled us to get to where we are today. It’s so important to celebrate that, and to give back. The night was full of laughter, some happy tears and I hope that our guests enjoyed it as much as we did!
By Hershey Pascual
