Arab Fashion Week, which ran from 24-28 March, showcased 28 autumn/winter womenswear collections in total. The latest edition of the fashion fiesta saw the greatest number of Arab designers from across the MENA region presenting their stellar work at Dubai Design District. The fifth day of the event endorsed by the Arab Fashion Council saw some standout collections from regional talent, including one from Saudi-based label Death by Dolls.
Sara Al-Saud, the Saudi fashion designer who founded the brand with her sister, made sure her show was one of the most memorable by unveiling an electric and fun 80s-inspired collection. Ameni Esseibi, the Tunisian model who was named as the Council's first Curvy Ambassador, taking to the catwalk also helped make the show the talk of Fashion Week.
There’s a big tick for layering this coming autumn/winter season, and the hip Death by Dolls presented a low-key cool version of the trend with a sparkling skirt overlay on a two-piece pinstriped button-down shorts set. Lots of emphasis was put on bust and vertical silver raised details, while the outfit was styled with a fur trimmed denim overcoat. Speaking of trim, a fleece lined denim coat set with tie-dye treatment was stylishly worn over front slit denims with silver bows and a white crop top. In fact, denim was a real highlight, including super-sleek halter tie-dye sundresses with spaghetti strap details.
Eclectic sheer pieces with quirky iconic details and sparkles, on anything and in any form, also made their mark on the catwalk. Large diamonds that adorned chic black spaghetti strap mini dresses were a surprising change to the ever-present sequin kind of glitter. The bustier mini dress with ruched details and glittering verbiage, worn with a comfortable knit jumper blouse, was a showstopper.
A model wearing a sparkling blazer over an ankle length see-through dress showed the versatility of Al-Saud’s two-piece shorts set underneath it all. The same see-through sparkling mesh style was spotted in the collection with a thick blue fur trim and over a bikini.
