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How the Middle East Made its Mark at the Couture Shows

Bella Hadid walks for Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2017 Couture. Indigital

Bella Hadid walks for Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2017 Couture. Indigital

Day three at Couture Fashion Week for Fall 2017 haute collections drew to a close with Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid walking for Alexandre Vauthier. Hadid’s mother – and former model – Yolanda sat front row to support. The shoes for the collection were created by Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi of Oscar Tiye, collectively adding a touch of the Middle East to the couture runway. From metallic knee-high boots in candy-whipped colors of mint green and sharp pink to the feather plum stilettos worn with a relaxed suit, the show had added flair thanks to the sharp silhouettes of the footwear.

Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2017 Couture. Indigital

Alexandre Vauthier Fall 2017 Couture. Indigital

Muaddi weaves Arabic culture into her designs, and has done so since her early days as a designer. “I love the contrast between purity and mystery. I think that this is symbolic of many Arab women,” Muaddi told team Vogue Arabia while establishing Oscar Tiye. “I wanted to play on that. Many of my shoes are inspired by the Arab world and carry a very strong cultural interpretation. The heel of the Malikah represents the body of a scarab and the wings symbolize the scarab taking flight. These shoes will be carried over to future collections.”

Rami Kadi Couture Spring 2017 as snapped by Vogue Arabia's street style photographer Valentina Frugiuele yesterday in Paris

Rami Kadi Couture Spring 2017 as snapped by Vogue Arabia’s street style photographer Valentina Frugiuele yesterday in Paris

In the packed show schedule, Lebanese-American designer Rami Kadi showcased his couture collection for Fall 2017. The collection was titled “Sweet Chaos” and is a “collection that explores unsettling chaos, confusion, and the fragmentation of clarity.”

Rami Kadi Fall 2017 Couture. Courtesy of Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi Fall 2017 Couture. Courtesy of Rami Kadi

In essence, the academia behind the collection did indeed manifest. Holographic prints on PVC added a futureproof edge to a statement dress. But don’t let the millennial twists fool you, the couture artistry was painstakingly clear, from the hand-embroidery of each bugle bead to the custom tailoring. Read the full report from the Vogue team in Paris shortly.

Rami Kadi Fall 2017 Couture. Courtesy of Rami Kadi

Rami Kadi Fall 2017 Couture. Courtesy of Rami Kadi

Looking ahead at the schedule, day four promises to place Arab design talent center stage once more with headlining Fall 2017 shows by leading couturiers Elie Saab (who celebrated his birthday yesterday), Azzedine Alaïa, Rami Al Ali, and Zuhair Murad.

Between the Valentino and Fendi evening shows, Tunisian-born designer Azzedine Alaïa will present his Fall 2017 Couture collection, after six years off the circuit. His last show was presented in 2011 and drew in A-listers including Kanye West and Donatella Versace. The only place to purchase his collection is at the Rue de Moussy store in Paris. Watch this space.

Who wore what to the couture shows

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