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5 Key Takeaways From the Fall 2016 Shows in Dubai

 From left to right: Salta, Dee by Dalia, Hussein Bazaza, Mochi, Daneh


From left to right: Salta, Dee by Dalia, Hussein Bazaza, Mochi, Daneh

Over the course of the Dubai Collections and Fashion Forward Fall 2016 shows held in Dubai at the Annex, Burj Khalifa and d3 respectively, Style.com/Arabia doled out critical reviews for 28 shows. Below are our key takeaways.

Credit: Mochi Fall 2016

Mochi Fall 2016

STYLING
Styling matters and designers should turn to professionals to get the job done right. Poor styling can mar the overall look of a collection while pro styling will compliment—and even elevate—the look and feel of a collection. Remember, those photos will exist indefinitely and should serve as a tool to help sell your collection along with lookbook images.

Credit: Salta Fall 2016

Salta Fall 2016

CATWALK VERSUS PRESENTATION: KNOW YOUR SPACE
Always remember your audience and use your presentation or catwalk space for what it is originally intended. A catwalk exists so that the audience can see how clothes move and for a designer to create buildup with each model’s exit. If you introduce all the models at the start of the show, then that opportunity is lost. Meanwhile, standing guests will get tired watching a presentation if it goes on too long.

Credit: Hussein Bazaza Fall 2016

Hussein Bazaza Fall 2016

AVOID BLACK: IT’S A HARD SELL
Just because designers are featuring clothes for the cooler months, it doesn’t mean that they should only offer dark-hued collections. Hussein Bazaza and Madiyah Al Sharqi both featured warm-weather appropriate clothes in beautiful palettes that will pop both online and on a rack.

Credit: Daneh Fall 2016

Daneh Fall 2016

CUTS MATTER, SO PUT IN SOME EFFORT
Emerging designers must do everything they can to make their designs stand out, and too many brands featured cookie-cutter silhouettes that can be easily found on high-street. Saudi label Daneh’s black and white palette is something of a signature, and so she differentiates her work by introducing beautiful cuts (and innovative textures).

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DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A RISK
Overall, the Middle Eastern woman looks at trends and buys into them—as long as she is one of the first to wear them. With brands now easily crossing borders, emerging designers need to take risks in order to stand out. If designers are looking to exist in the international design arena, then they need to be at the forefront of fashion. A tip: if what you are proposing can be purchased on high-street (now), don’t feature it in your Fall 2016 collection.

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