Buyer’s Guide for Fall 2015: Boutique N

Boutique N in Kuwait houses a carefully edited selection of emerging fashion labels, such as New York-based designer Rachel Comey, Russian designer Vika Gazinskaya, and London-based label Isa Arfen. Known for her sharp eye for combing through new names and cutting-edge labels, the boutique’s buyer and co-founder Aljawhara Al Mahdi shares her key buys and favorite picks for Fall 2015.

Trends for Fall 2015

Layering: I love Isa Arfen’s take on layering shirts and dresses in her Fall 2015 collection. Her wool guipure is amazing; it’s the perfect example of light layering. Also, I love how everyone is layering culottes with longer vests and sweaters.

Trends for Fall 2015

Volume: Full, voluminous dresses and skirts are what we’re coveting this season. Awake makes the perfect full dresses that are dramatic and fun, yet also comfortable. Jourden is one of our new favorites because all of its full skirts and dresses can be dressed up with heels or down with flats.

Favorite Newcomers

I’m kind of obsessed with Kéji by Katie Green. From the moment I saw this collection, I knew that it would definitely be one of my favorites. Her modern denim looks are versatile while the light denim pieces are perfect to wear all day. The gold pieces are dressier and the gold sheen is super modern and a lot of fun. I love them as separates or layered together, and her take on the denim dress is my absolute must-have for the new season.

Colors to Keep an Eye On 

Metallics are strong this season—we’ve seen metallic pieces in every collection, but in subtle sheens, nothing too sparkly. Isa Arfen has done lighter golds while Rachel Comey has darker golds and black.

This Season’s Must-Haves

The Opening Ceremony varsity jackets are still my favorites and they haven’t lost their cool factor. Also, with the denim trend going strong, Kéji’s jackets are great too.

A Key Buy for the Middle East

Culottes are still going strong for us. We’ve made sure to be really diverse with culottes and picked up a lot of different takes. Personally, I love the denim cropped version by Kéji Denim, but the voluminous styles by Opening Ceremony or Vika Gazinskaya’s leather version are great and easy to dress up or down.

Personal Picks

I’m definitely keeping a dress and skirt from Jourden for myself. I love skirts, and I love that I can pair these with a simple t-shirt and flats for a daytime look, and then dress it up at night with a fancier top and heels. Every season, I always end up with two or more new Être Cécile t-shirts or sweaters in my closet; they’re so comfortable and they always add some fun to what I’m wearing.

Key Accessories of the Season

I love a colorful clutch. I think a fun printed clutch for fall makes a difference because we end up wearing dark colors or head-to-toe looks in all gray and black. The Lizzie Fortunato clutches add a beautiful pop of color.

Safe investment of the season

A good leather jacket is always important for fall. Vika Gazinskaya makes a classic cropped motorcycle jacket that we think should be in everyone’s closet.

Dying Trend

Heavy embellishments and bodycon pieces—I think everyone is looking for minimal, comfortable, and versatile items this season. Hérve Léger Carmen bandage dress US $1,424; AED/SAR 5,230 www.mytheresa.com