#FFWD2017: Day Two Recap

A little rain didn’t stop the regional style scene descending on d3 for the penultimate day of Fashion Forward

Despite the drizzle, day two of Fashion Forward Season 9 brought out a larger crowd with many regional tastemakers sitting front row for the runway return of Dubai-based brand Emperor, created by the Golkar brothers. Other highlights of the weather-stricken event included talks on the business side of fashion, from conception and production to placing yourself on the right digital platform. 

The Shows

By Sadeem

Created by Sadeem Alshehail, the label unveiled rich, earth-toned dresses and matching suits in glamorous silk and wool fabrics. Influenced by art-deco shapes with cropped capes over dresses and tailored culottes, the brand embodied feminine, easy elegance.

Emperor X Reebok Classic

Part catwalk, part concert, the Golkar brothers livened up a rain-soaked fashion crowd with their creative showcase. Opened by rapper Pepstar, who provided live music throughout the runway, the trio swapped their signature glamour for slick streetwear.

Varion Marwah

Ironically set to the soundtrack of ‘It’s Raining Men’ while the weather took a stormy turn at Fashion Forward, Varion Marwah’s menswear collection centred around the versatility of denim, especially in the realm of formalwear.

Kristina Fidelskaya

Bell sleeves, oversized coats and luxuriously light fabrics added a sense of fluidity to Kristina’s A/W17 collection. Teamed with rich velvet boots, a subtle nod to the 70s, each immaculately tailored piece breathed pure luxury.

Ghudfah

Inspired by the juxtaposition of the softness of clouds peeking out behind architectural buildings, Saudi designer Sarah Albaz experimented with a modern twist on her classic abaya and ready-to-wear signature shapes. Heavy cuffs and silk-trimmed coats were an instant highlight.

Abed Mahfouz

Acclaimed Lebanese designer Abed Mahfouz sent one stunning gown after another down the runway at his Fashion Forward debut. Erring away from the usual darker A/W17 colour scheme, Mahfouz opted for a kaleidoscope of colours from rich ruby reds to spicy tangerine tones.

Cheyma

Creative, cool and most importantly – comfortable, Cheyma’s whimsical collection, entitled ‘Misty Romance’ saw models draped in oversized denim jackets, pink jersey sweatshirts and plenty of fun, oversized polka dots.

The Talks

Providing a multi-dimensional insight on the current state of the online and offline fashion landscape, ‘E-Commerce: How To Jump Into The Online Marketplace’ gave many entrepreneurs and designers in the audience a chance to ask an expert panel, including Bazaar’s Editor-in-chief Louise Nichol, questions on how to market and increase sales in a digital marketplace. Sarah Hermez, Founder of Creative Space Beirut and a fashion designer herself, also gave sound advice on how to tackle and manage the business side of a creative industry from sales and sourcing to manufacturing and production, inspiring a new wave of design students but also highlighting the very difficult path they need to take to gain a global following.