THE EMPEROR 1688 FFWD3: BREATHING COUTURE IN MENSLINE

Another season, another style romance from Emperor 1688. One would yawn with ennui if they didn’t consistently deliver a spectacle. Designer brothers revivalist strengths were  highlighted in this season’s ode to subdued silhouettes in an English bespoke tailoring.

The Golkar’s brief  depicted the charms of tartan, wool , tweed and splash of other fabrics thrown together to create a modern interpretation of the new Emperor 1688.

Creating minimalist details like the leather belts felt like a natural process, avoiding lavish ensemble thus  creating  a collection that never went over the top.

The monadistic feel was unforgivable but the finish was impeccable. Gone were the varsity pink boys in short trouser last year that screamed “Loud”, here was the gorgeously flattering ensemble for men donning with an ascetic simplicity.

The double-breasted suit is back with an excitement and  once a staple in every man’s suite wardrobes, the double-breasted has become a rather elusive creation of such a sartorial splendor, only recognizable by the advocates of high-end menswear connoisseurs . The Emperor 1688 reintroduced the double-breasted suit  and had  been modernized , leaner  but just as masculine, powerful and elegant as before.

We saw military type of the jackets paired with six-bottons vest as well, in gray, navy blue and black. And the girls..yes, the Emperor Girls, unsurprisingly they complimented the over-all  look, urban girls who are not afraid to show some skin and enjoying their kind of evolution.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELMER MAGALLANES JR.

 

 

 

 

 

Zareena S/S Fashion Forward3: The Czarina of High Couture

 Dubai, April 15, 2014

 

Celebrated Emirati fashion designer Zareena Yousef presented her Spring and Summer 2014 collection on the concluding day of Fashion Forward at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on Sunday (April 13). At the show, she impressed the participants with her latest line of 50 creations in different colours, patterns and materials.

 

Characterized with extreme elegance, overwhelming chicness and innovative simplicity, the new collection features an amazing mix of materials, patterns and colours.

 

For the first time, Zareena veered from her purely Oriental line to introduce a hautecouture-like collection that brings different civilizations together in a harmonious and attractive way.

 

On a trip to Lebanon, Zareena visited the Jeita Grotto -the longest cave in the Middle East- located near Beirut and was amazed at how nature would create what she calls one of the nature’s most creative features. The inspiration for the collection comes from nature’s ability to deliver beautiful scenery from random single creations when put together in a magical way.

 

Zareena’s main theme is abstract shapes and lines that become works of art when combined and placed on the designs in an artistic manner. Zareena’s sense of placement and choice of colours are marks of her brand that any enthusiast would recognize. Zareena does not like to confine herself to certain colours, therefore, within any of her collections you will see a wide range of daring colour combinations. The fabrics always have the sense of flow and femininity in them. She uses natural fabrics for her collections.

 

Following the theme, Zareena has three groups of designs within the collection, the whites, which portray nature’s beauty personified in flower formations, the abstract formations with its cornucopia of colours, and the gold, nature’s ultimate precious belonging.

 

The collection, which lends its flavour to the deceptively simple elegance concept, blends simplicity with enduring chicness and can be worn by ladies not only in high-end events but also for the special occasions.

 Zareena is well-known for her attention to small details. A lot of her designs shows a passion for chiffon, miniature flowers, golden lines and woven emblazonments that goes hand in hand with the apt and skilful works.

 

The collection includes long dresses, two-piece designs and lavishly ensemble sets, a group of distinguished overall designs, soirée dresses. Colours varied between orange, green, red, brown, gold and beige, etc.

 

Commenting on her participation in Dubai Fashion Forward, Zareena said: “It is a very important step for me, taking into consideration that Dubai Fashion Forward Week is an international fashion event and every designer seeks to spread his designs geographically as wide as possible.”

 

Describing the identity of her new collection Zareena added: “I tried to reach for women’s needs generally in terms of materials, cuts. I did not confine myself to the Eastern women only, the Oriental spirit can be felt, but the collection still appeals for women from a wide range of nationalities and tastes. We should always bear in mind that designers does not know beforehand what they want, it’s rather a process of innovation, inspiration and uniqueness, to which the designer should add her personal touch of imagination experience and professionalism.”

Gareth Pugh: the fashion’s new ENFANT TERRIBLE

INFLATED BALLOONS

Gareth Pugh’s unorthodox, rebellious sometimes offensive display of cutting edge designs had him labelled as St. Martin’s brightest star and the next Enfant Terrible of the fashion industry.

GARETH PUGH

Just when it seemed British eccentricity were gone, along comes a frail student from Central Saint Martins, who stages a fashion carnival for his first solo show. His name is Gareth Pugh, sent out a parade of perverse-looking harlequins and painted faces in vinyl bodysuits.

Pugh is the new sensation among the febrile design-student London clique, the fashion-as-art, the likes of Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Vivienne Westwood.

Pugh uses unusual materials like rubbers,synthetic fur and hair which looks odd and funny yet undoubtly very talented and one of the most watch designers lately.