Set the scene: A red carpeted soiree aboard the Queen Elizabeth II, docked in Dubai, thriving with the city’s most stylish attendees in glamorous ball-gowns and edgy ensembles, with an effervescent buzz in the air.
Fashionably late, the event was kick started with homegrown, UAE designer, Amato’s, all white, couture collection. Furne One, the man behind Amato Couture, launched his very first collection in the UAE in 2002 and has been known to dress some of the world’s most well known women, including musical divas, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry, as well as supermodels, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum. The Filipino designer’s ethereal couture show at the event curated by the Arab Fashion Council, captivated his well-heeled audience with his ice-white creations in beaded tulle and lace, on trend capes and form fitting silhouettes.
Aiisha Ramadan, Arab Fashion Week 18
The 6th edition of Arab Fashion Week also featured 13 international designers from Russia, UK, Venezuela, Lebanon, America, Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan, Portugal, Italy, Armenia and Egypt, all showcasing their spectacular couture, cruise and resort ’19 collections.
Designers who stole the show and caused a stir with their creations included, House of MuaMua, Aiisha Ramadan, Nicole and Felicia, Tony Miranda and on closing night, Egyptian designer, Asory House.
The glamorous event also saw the launch of an eco-friendly couture collection by AFC Green Label, which marked a major step towards sustainable fashion in the region, using ecological fabrics and techniques.
With designers presenting their resort and cruise collections, the QE2 ship couldn’t be a more fitting location for the fashion extravaganza. Cruise collections, showcased by some of the world’s most famous fashion houses, were initially created to target the wealthy women who traveled on board cruise ships to warmer climates in winter months. Now, they are used as a way to keep luxury shoppers interested in new products mid-season.
V Layalina, Arab Fashion Week 18
The QE2 is a globally renowned cruise liner with a history spanning over 50 years. Restored to it’s former glory by preserving the ship’s period furniture, paintings and famous memorabilia, the original add a maritime feel to the modernized guest rooms and many of the restaurants have maintained the same names.
