By Hershey Pascual
Following New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week, Arab Fashion Week Dubai is the world’s only platform that presents ready-couture-wear. Twice a year, it hosts the shows for brands all over the world to present their collections. This highlights the importance and relevance of the Arab fashion world as an international fashion hub. Arab Fashion Week is designed to be one of the world’s high-profile, designer showcase platforms. It marks a milestone in the fashion industry with a brand new innovative concept that includes 22 Arabic countries that are all members of the Arab League. Hosted in Dubai, UAE, ready-couture-wear spring/summer 2016, starts from 31st October until 2nd November 2015.
Abed Mahfouz SS16 Ready-Couture
Raised in a modest family in Lebanon and being surrounded with family members that work in tailoring, Mahfouz opened his first bridal boutique in 1985 with his sister in Beirut, Lebanon. The official launch of the Abed Mahfouz bridal line “Dreamer” was during the spring/summer fashion season in June 2001. In February 2010 he launched the Abed Mahfouz ready-to-wear collection during New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Mahfouz’s creations have been sold across several outlets in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The Abed Mahfouz brand has three product lines: bridal, couture and ready-to-wear. The designer has dressed notable celebrities at red carpet events and engaged in multiple celebrity editorials. Celebrities in Abed Mahfouz include Irina Shayk, Carrie Underwood, Daphne Guinness, Selena Gomez, Lindsay Lohan, Alexa Chung, Elizabeth Banks, Camilla Belle and Natasha Bedingfield.
For his spring/summer ready-couture 2016 show, delicate beautiful evening wear pieces in satin, silk and chiffon were highlighted. There were dip-hemlines, ruffles and off-the-shoulder dresses in a plethora of luscious colours from citron yellow, midnight blue, ivory and burgundy.
Laura Mancini SS16 Ready-Couture
Italian designer, Laura Mancini studied fashion design in Milan and continued to do a masters at Central Saint Martins in London. Mancini is a contemporary designer with a strong classic undercurrent. She makes wearable designs that suit all woman. Her signature style is making dresses that can be worn for every occasion. Her strong passion for fashion has catapulted her success.
She presented her spring/summer 2016 collection that consisted of chic fluid pieces: monochrome striped A-line skirts, pleated classic dresses, elegant black ball gowns, jumpsuits with striped detailing and a retro-inspired off-the-shoulder tartan pink dress with voluminous, puffed sleeves that all stole the show. To end the collection a flurry of pretty lace detailed appliqué bridal wear sashayed down the runway.
