Last week, London Fashion Week debuted their digital edition where the industry simply logged on to their devices to attend. Thousands of people from all over the world were in attendance of workshops, fashion shows, presentations and even Zoom after-parties, in lieu of the infamous after-parties fashion weeks are known for. Amongst the designers presenting their works at the digital fashion event were two noteworthy Arab designers: Syrian couturier Nabil Nayal and Egyptian accessories label, Sabry Marouf.
As long as the pandemic is still a threat, attending physical runway shows will no longer be the done-thing and so, designers have found inventive ways to present their latest creations. Nabil Nayal showcased his tenth collection via the medium of a four minute film. Entitled, “Chapter X: The Archives in Blue”, the film was supported by Revlon Professional UK and explored his previous “hero pieces” and archives through a blue filter.
The collection itself highlights Nabil’s penchant for structured, dramatic cuts and shapes – which were noted by Karl Largerfeld himself when he first discovered Nayal at a previous LVMH Prize event. His signature pieces include crisp shirts, smocked dresses, and jackets and skirts in organza and organdie.
Sabry Marouf on the other hand, an accessories label helmed by Ahmed Sabry and Daki Marouf, unveiled a preview of their AW 2020 collection, “Origins,” on London Fashion Week’s site, which featured a selection of minaudières and clutch bags made from walnut wood and hand-gilded with 22 karat gold leaf.
The collection, comprised of just 6 pieces, called for the designers to collaborate with others to create the pieces, as they stated in a press release, “In line with our journey into sustainable development and ethical trade, we took the decision to scale things down; By choosing to work only with independent artists, artisans, family-run workshops and small businesses.”
Adding, “The pieces are made using non-toxic manufacturing techniques from natural, sustainably sourced materials. And we specifically designed them to be produced in limited numbers. We are hoping that in taking these first steps, we are contributing to a slower fashion that promotes craftsmanship and innovation while reducing the strain on our planet.”
