Abstract portrait artist turned womenswear designer Hadeel AlHussain unveils her debut collection for the Spring 2018 season on Vogue.me. AlHussain’s namesake brand takes cues from Danish and Saudi design influences, resulting in a unique mix of futureproof key pieces with a Middle Eastern flair. The melting pot of sartorial references can be pinned down to the designer’s well-travelled adventures. She has lived in Lebanon, England, Bahrain, and Denmark for periods of time before settling back in Saudi to launch her own label this year.
Hadeel AlHussain Spring 2018. Courtesy of Hadeel AlHussain
While the brand’s website is under construction and its Instagram account teases the first images to 860+ followers, Vogue.me explores the brand that hints at a promise of rising into a strong name.
Exaggerated tailoring has been a favorite theme for designers across the international collections, as seen at Off-White, Balenciaga, Gucci, Rosie Assoulin, and Reemami. The so-2017 approach to elongate sleeve lengths and amplify shoulder padding can be seen in AlHussain’s first collection too. Notably, the color palette is understated and confident. There’s classic navy suiting, cream shirting, and the occasional punch of gold seen on satin accents.
Themed ‘Papilio’, for butterfly, the collection celebrates free-flowing self expression and femininity. Even if you don’t connect the underlying message to the clothes themselves, the looks are undoubtedly versatile and leaves room for different women to stamp their inimitable take on it. Aimed at “a young independent, sophisticated professional who seeks selected garments that give her that extra touch to complete there persona,” AlHussain tells Vogue. From the mannish pinstripe two-piece that is tailored with a modern twist (off-the-shoulder and slightly daredevil in its cut) to the generous leather waist-belts that cinch in supersized blouses. The brand’s DNA is a clever fusion of East and West.
Hadeel AlHussain Spring 2018. Courtesy of Hadeel AlHussain
Having studied at Fashion Design at Copenhagen Academy of Fashion Design and ESMOD Beirut, AlHussain cuts confident silhouettes in her collections. “The greatest challenge was leaving my comfort zone as a designer and having an extra role of running a business. combining both the designing and business was quite a challenge,” AlHussain tells Vogue.me.
Hadeel AlHussain Spring 2018. Courtesy of Hadeel AlHussain
Citing poetry and music as her greatest creative influences, the designer began dreaming up her career aged twelve. “I dreamt of it for as long as I can remember. At aged twelve my mother walked into my room and saw me cutting some of my clothes because I wanted to change their designs,” AlHussain explains. “She asked me to design a couple of dresses and had them tailored. I’ll never forget that. If it wasn’t for my mother, I wouldn’t have known that I had it in me.”
Hadeel AlHussain Spring 2018. Courtesy of Hadeel AlHussain
Moving forward the designer declares that she will be striving for a more exaggerated creative signature and looking to expand her evening-wear offering. Click follow on Insta. and watch this one rise.
AlHussain Spring 2018 is available now. The brand’s website is still under construction but you can sign up for updates. Designer quotes by Khulood Ahmed.
