DUBAI: From British Moroccan sensation Nora Attal to French Algerian runway star Loli Bahia, Arab models stole the fashion spotlight at Paris Couture Week, showcasing standout looks from renowned designers.
Attal this week graced the Fendi runway, wearing an ensemble from their Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
Adorned in a figure-hugging knitwear dress with twisted fabric detailing around the shoulders and glove-like tailored sleeves, Attal accessorized with a medium-sized clutch that matched the rich brown hue of her dress.
Attal wore a figure-hugging knitwear dress with twisted fabric detailing around the shoulders and glove-like tailored sleeves. (Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Bahia walked for Valentino in a loose embellished set, featuring a plunging neckline that accentuated her silhouette. The ensemble was cinched at the waist with a gleaming metallic silver belt.
To add a vibrant pop of color, Bahia wore bright pink heels.
As Paris Couture Week drew to a close, Fendi offered a mesmerizing blend of minimalism and futurism, paying homage to the legendary Karl Lagerfeld.
Bahia walked for Valentino in a loose embellished set. (Getty Images)
Celebrities like Zendaya and Reese Witherspoon were on hand to witness artistic director Kim Jones deliver a memorable futurist collection that not only paid tribute to the past but also embraced a forward-thinking ethos.
Gowns with severe, minimalist hemlines were adorned with intricate beading, a sophisticated evolution from the brand’s fur-heavy past. A feather-like, all-over fringe appeared as a new kind of pelt — likely to curry favor with a more ethically minded couture consumer. Box-like silhouettes with geometric patterns in silk gazars were also featured.
Transitioning from Fendi, the vision of Valentino presented by designer Pierpaolo Piccioli subtly balanced artistic expression with practicality.
The collection opened with a clear nod to classic professionalism: suits in black paired with black ties and oversized jackets from the 80s, signaling a readiness for the business world.
The craftsmanship in the collection was evident but always subtle. A coat with long, weighty lengths felt fashion forward, representing Valentino’s heritage of luxury tailoring and eye to the future. However, the collection as a whole maintained a more subdued tone, focusing on the saleable, wearable and practical.
The Paris spotlight extended beyond Arab models alone, embracing the creative brilliance of notable Arab designers. Among them were Mohammed Ashi, the visionary founder of the Saudi-led label Ashi Studio, along with Syrian designer Rami Al-Ali, and esteemed Lebanese couturiers Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Georges Chakra, and Georges Hobeika.
Their collective presence underscored the significant impact and global recognition of Arab talent on the haute couture stage in Paris.
- (with AP)
