7 Middle Eastern designers take Paris Fashion Week
Recognising regional talent
M
1. Ammanii
Amany Shaker, the woman behind the Egyptian jewellery label, Ammanii, is known for creating timeless pieces — think rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces — all injected with an Arabian-esque aesthetic. The designer showcased a new collection, under the Maison Pyramide umbrella, and it included must-see jewel-toned gems, intricate embellishments and lunar-like designs.
2. Nathalie Trad
Beirut-born and Dubai-based handbag designer Nathalie Trad showcased her latest Spring/Summer '18 collection, aptly titled This is Not a Clutch, during Paris Fashion Week, and it was as playful as it was sculptured. "This collection stems from a place of positivity, bursting colour and happiness," said Trad. "It is a figment of my imagination, of the place I would like to see when I look out into the world. Follow our winding lines and wander with me, as one stroke leads to another in a surreal, rapturous, vibrant hypnotic swirl," she continued, before saying that: "Paris Fashion Week provides us with a platform to be able to present our collections to a global market."
3. Sandra Mansour
It's evident why Sandra Mansour was named as one of the emerging designers to represent the Middle East in the Buro Fashion Forward Initiative. With a career centred on creating the ultimate feminine silhouettes for women, the Lebanese designer showcased her swimming pool-meets-art-inspired Spring/Summer '18 collection.
4. Reemami
Quickly emerging into the international market, Reemami presented must-see silhouettes that featured the brand's on-trend aesthetic. The UAE born and raised designer, Reema Al Banna, dipped her latest collection in a primary palette, complete with achingly cool cuts and prints.
5. Lama Jouni
Lama Jouni's Back to Basics collection for Spring/Summer '18 was available for preview during Paris Fashion Week, thanks to the Faux Showroom. Sitting pretty on the rails were monochrome ensembles, a neutral colour palette, modern cuts and relaxed silhouettes.
6. SemSem
It was all about stripes for SemSem's Spring/Summer '18 collection. The brand's Creative Director, Abeer Al Otaiba, injected a Mediterranean influence into some resort-ready pieces, as seen on models Halima Arden and Zoe Barnard.
7. Nafsika Skourti
Contemporary ready-to-wear brand, Nafsika Skourti, unfolded a Spring/Summer '18 collection during Paris Fashion Week and it was as print centric as it was foiled in metallic. With a focus on deconstructed denim and a colourful palette, the 23-look collection is a must-see.
Now, discover the Omani brand, Bthaina, which launched a collection exclusively on Moda Operandi.
