Lorenzo Serafini’s Spring 2019 Philosophy showcase during Milan Fashion Week was a love letter to Morocco. “Galvanize” by the Chemical Brothers, which samples Moroccan singer Najat Aatabou’s “Hadi Kedba Bayna”, set the soundtrack for the runway presentation, which took place in the Italian city on Saturday. The show opened with part-Palestinian model Bella Hadid, who emerged wearing a black, mini romper with a plunging neckline, oversized ruffled sleeves, and a cinched waist. In the preceding stretch of looks that followed, we saw a number of references to the North African country, in the form of a mix of billowing kaftans, djellaba-striped cotton-linen trousers, and a scarf print inspired by the region modeled by a star cast including Grace Elizabeth, Stella Maxwell, and Sara Sampaio.
As for the hair and makeup, it was inspired by “the traveling girl” says backstage makeup artist Tom Pecheux. “We wanted to go for a healthy and glowy look. Sun-kissed skin, left-over eye makeup,” he adds. Sam McKnight was responsible for dreaming up the models’ unfussy hairstyles, which drew inspiration from “the girl who is holidaying in the desert or by the beach.” Following the runway extravaganza, the designer hosted a pop-up shop, dinner, and an after-party, where French singer Amanda Lear performed.
Of course Serafini isn’t the first (and definitely won’t be the last) designer to be inspired by Morocco. The destination will forever be linked to the late and legendary Yves Saint Laurent, who made his home there and had a museum opened in his honor in Marrakesh last year. For Fall 2018, Simon Porte Jacquemus also paid homage to the North African country following a trip to the destination.
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