Fashion News | Abaya designers shine at Modern Woman show in Dubai

Niche fashion labels, beauty demos and catwalk shows were the highlights of the Modern Woman Show held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai over the weekend. Three of the best exhibitors talk about their designs.

Best Emirati designer

Fatima Al Qassimi, founder and creative director of Distinctive

Jalabiyas and abayas

“My label was established in May. I was first inspired by fashion a long time ago. I used to design for myself and would receive compliments about the pieces I was wearing, which was encouraging, so I decided to develop a line. My first collection was calligraphy-themed [dresses and jalabiyas], and I then designed more abayas [in black with jewel embellishments].

“As an Emirati, I’m proud that Arabic is my first language – and since His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum declared 2016 as the year of Arabic language, I thought why not embrace it through my designs? And yes, inshallah, in the future I will continue to work more with calligraphy. It’s unique and it attracts so many people, especially westerners.”

Evening wear, wedding dresses, abayas reminiscent of Chanel’s quilted and pearl look

“Famed fashion designer Gabrielle Chanel changed the history of women’s clothing, from the jacket to the skirt. All of our cuts, like hers, are workable for everyday. I’m designing mostly for clients from the GCC – I have many Emirati clients.

“My collections are also season-less, meaning that every month I’ll bring out five to 10 new pieces. During Ramadan and Eid, I’ll produce up to 30 designs in a collection. And every month we have sales to make way for the new lines, so our ‘seasons’, if you like, are very fast.

“My basis was art, and it was my primary area of study in China. After a time, I had to select a major and I chose fashion design. As much as I love pure art, it’s hard to survive as an artist.

“So, I started designing party dresses and launched first in Ajman, then expanded to Sharjah and Dubai. You can see that our abaya cuts are haute couture, with that ‘party’ influence.

“I’ve been here 15 years. I converted to Islam and I married an Emirati, so there was also a personal need for me to design abayas, joining fashion, tradition and religion – all three elements together.”

Fashion News | JELENA BIN DRAI INTRODUCES 2016 COUTURE COLLECTION

Jelena Jakovljevic Bin Drai has released her Spring/Summer 2016 couture collection under the label JELENA BIN DRAI, encompassing 26 elegant gowns inspired by the beauty of the winter desert. The feminine dresses reflect sunlight rising over sand dunes and the inky darkness during majestic desert nights.

The mainly monochromatic colour palette sees crisp white and deep black contrast with flashes of metallic, offsetting the simplicity to reflect sunlight kissing the horizon. Representing the juxtaposition between day and night, flirty pleated frocks contrast with sophisticated full length silhouettes, which sit playfully off-the-shoulder and gather at the waist. Sheer backs and modern cutout panels add a touch of playful glamour to the collection.

Sequin embellishment pays homage to the flickering moonlight, whilst lines of delicate metallic embroidery allude to the contours of the sand at the magical hour of dusk. Pure silk, crepe and organza lend a sumptuous richness whilst the addition of baguette cut crystals offer an exquisite shimmer, highlighting the mystical depth of the desert.

Cementing the label’s status as the go-to for glamorous yet modest eveningwear, the elegant collection perfectly encapsulates the hypnotising draw of nature’s beauty.