DUBAI: Saudi designer and fashion blogger Tamara Al-Gabbani is no stranger to the spotlight, having been chosen as the face of modest wear collections by the likes of DKNY and Dolce & Gabbana in the past, and her Eid and summer 2018 line proves once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.
The delicately embroidered kaftans come in a range of primary colors — from red, to black and a lush green number that is perfect for the parched, hot months ahead.
Each piece is dotted with embroidery, whether it be sequins or faux pearls, at evenly spaced intervals across the length of the kaftan , with a culmination of beadwork at the collar. Here, intricate needlework and heavy embellishments form the centerpiece of the outfits, taking the column shifts to altogether more glamorous heights.
The color combinations are simple and refined — white beadwork on the black and red options and gold adornments on the green kaftan. This line does not seek to break the mold, but gives the traditional Gulf kaftan a delicate, almost Indian-inspired update with its breezy fabrics and fine embellishments.
Aside from being available via WhatsApp — visit Al-Gabbani’s Instagram account, @tamaraalgabbani, for more details on that — you can also shop the collection on TV shopping network, Citruss TV.
The designer is rarely in the same city for an extended period of time, but credits her hectic calendar for her success.
“I love to work hard, so my demanding schedule suits me. No two days are the same, plus I travel a lot, so every day is a little adventure — a challenging adventure I’m grateful for and it gives me the beautiful opportunity to help those less fortunate,” Al-Gabbani told Arab News earlier this year.
In another major achievement, Al-Gabbani took center stage at London Modest Fashion Week (LMFW) in February, where she showed off her latest collection at the closing show.
Titled the “Best of Global Modest Fashion,” the runway show took place at Victoria House in the UK capital’s classy Bloomsbury district on Feb. 18 and featured designs by Al-Gabbani, Fatima Mohsin, House of Lancry, Q Label, Nasiba Hafez, 1001 Abayas and Rouge Couture.
Founded by leading modest fashion e-retailer Haute Elan in 2017, LMFW is an international platform for modest wear designers to showcase their collections on the runway.
It’s been a demanding year so far, and Al-Gabbani’s latest line is yet another reason we should keep an eye on this rising star who, despite her success, still feels as though she could have taken more risks in life.
“I’m proud of a lot that I’ve achieved: Being the face of DKNY and Dolce & Gabbana for their modest collections and setting up my own fashion brand. Still, I regret not being more fearless,” she said.
