Illustrations by Musfira Shaffi
Style.com/Arabia is often characterized as being critical of the region’s emerging designers—and rightfully so. We are in the midst of building a nascent fashion industry together, and we will continue to support and push Fashion Forward and its roster of designers towards excellence. But excellence is only achieved through constructive criticism and self-reflection. Fashion Forward continues to be a learning experience for the entire industry.
Read on for this season’s takeaways.
TELL A SINGLE, COHESIVE STORY WITH YOUR COLLECTION
Yes, you are creative and, yes, you are an artist. That said, a collection should only tell one story per season—not four.
SHOWCASE YOUR CULTURE
From embroideries to textiles, the Middle East has much to offer in terms of inspiration and designers are increasingly turning to the local culture as opposed to recreating occidental dresses.
EDIT YOUR RUNWAY SHOW—DON’T FEATURE EVERYTHING
You are a designer, but not every piece of your collection should be shown on the runway. Buyers might be happy to invest in your basics, but your identity needs to transpire via a distinct fashion proposition on the runway. Overall, the Fashion Forward shows are too long and incoherent—don’t be afraid to edit.
DON’T SHOWCASE ILL-FITTING CLOTHES ON THE RUNWAY
If a pair of shorts is too tight or if a model can’t walk properly in a dress, then don’t be afraid to cancel the look. Watching a model painfully walk like a geisha in her pencil skirt is just as excruciating for the audience and no one will want to reproduce that specific look.
FOCUS ON THE FINISHING
If your fabric is perking or your hem not sewn right, from the front row to the back, everyone will see it. That, and the many wrinkles on a skirt that wasn’t properly ironed.
TRUST THE SPECIALISTS
This season, designers leaned on M.A.C’s senior makeup artist, Vimi Joshi, when constructing their beauty looks and rightfully so. Whereas last season featured some pretty scary faces, this season, the makeup was on point.
