Homegrown Hero: Saudi Fashion House Dar Al Hanouf Has Released A Capsule Bridal Collection Worthy Of Your Wishlist
For its 10th anniversary, Dar Al Hanouf takes a step back to look forward, paying homage to the Saudi Arabian landscape through exquisite design, says writer Lily Mae Pacey
Home is where the heart is and for Al Hanouf Mazen, the designer behind Saudi fashion house Dar Al Hanouf, home is Radwa Mount. Located in the Al-Medina region, centuries of love and commitment to craftsmanship inhabit the majestic mountainscape, heavily influencing the label’s S/S23 demi-couture capsule collection.
A breathtaking, timeless capsule of whimsical pastels, exquisite patterns, and intricate hand-embroidery pay tribute to the detailed architecture of the designer’s grandparents’ home. Like stepping back in time to her childhood memories, the one-of-a-kind French tweed and tulle gown radiates warmth and moves in heritage, skilfully perfecting the blend of ethereal femininity with designs that pack a punch – looks one would expect to see on fashion icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy, or Diana, Princess of Wales.
The use of a subtle-yet-striking leopard print trim throughout the collection is not only an ode to the original modern-day powerhouses, but the signature design is also a compelling statement in support of the iconic yet critically endangered Arabian Leopard that calls Radwa Mount, home.
The pièce de résistance of the collection, a hand-painted, floral, Italian-taffeta gown, features a stunning mural of the morning mist that falls upon the mountains, as a pale rose-hue waltzes amongst the foliage and wildflowers. Any bride would be glowing when walking down the aisle in a masterpiece such as this.
The icing on the cake, as the official Saudi bridal couture partner for Swarovski, Mazen weaves intricate beadwork throughout her designs – perfect for the contemporary bride who wants to sparkle beneath the spotlight – as recently exhibited at Milan Fashion Week where the label represented Saudi fashion design to enormous acclaim.
As the house celebrates its 10th anniversary, we can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for the skyrocketing empire. Watch this space…
Visit Instagram.com/dar_al_hanouf
Images courtesy of Dar Al Hanouf.
From the A/W22 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Bride