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Rami Al-Ali became the first Syrian Fashion designer to be recognized by the Business of Fashion List.
The Dubai-based fashion designer creates couture, bridal, and ready-to-wear collections. Naomi Campbell, Amal Clooney, and Assala are among some of the many celebrities he has dressed.
In 2001, he established his couture collection in Dubai and made his debut in Paris Couture Week in 2012.
The Business of Fashion is an online Magazine renowned globally for its definitive, explanatory point of view on the fashion world. Their aim is to build fashion’s worldwide community to inform, advise, and connect the Fashion industry. The online publication was founded in 2007 by Imran Amed.
The BoF 500 list is an index of diverse people molding the fashion world; from designers to entrepreneurs to personalities.
Other Arab figures who made the BoF’s 500 list feature Mohammed Ashi, Saudi’s first designer on the list, Emirati’s Khadija Al Bastaki along Saudi internet personality Amy Roko.
The event highlighted Moroccan caftan as a key part of Morocco’s cultural identity and diversity.
The UNESCO headquarters in Paris hosted on Tuesday evening a spectacular fashion show displaying the vibrant colors and captivating designs of Moroccan caftan. The show was part of the African Week taking place between June 5 and 9.
The event showcased the work of Moroccan designer Fatima Zahraa Al-Filali Al-Idrisi, the visionary creator behind the renowned brand “Fatim Haute Couture Made In Morocco.” She had been specifically invited to represent Morocco at the show.
With an atmosphere infused with the melodies of Tarabi and Andalusian heritage, the Moroccan designer mesmerized the audience with her unique collection of Moroccan caftans.
She showcased “an original variety of Moroccan caftans resembling historical, vibrant, and pleasant works of art,” indicated a press release.
The statement added that Al-Idrisi’s designs “embodied both the luxury and honor of this traditional national garment, the Moroccan caftan, which has remained an authentic and refined heritage throughout different periods and generations.”
Exuding opulence and prestige, each garment embodied Morocco’s rich cultural, historical, and civilizational legacy.
The fashion event saw a harmonious blend of international, African, and Maghreb presence, convening diplomats, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, media representatives, and members of the African diaspora residing in France.
With her participation in the event, under the theme “Authentic National Heritage,” Al-Idrisi aimed to highlight and celebrate Morocco’s cultural diversity and bring the international audience closer to the different cultural realms that shape the Moroccan identity.
From the Sahrawi caftan to the Amazigh caftan and the Moroccan Jewish caftan, the Moroccan designer showcased a wide range of styles, incorporating regional dimensions, including the Fassi, Rbati, Atlassi, Shamali (Northern), Sharqi (Eastern), and Janoubi (Southern) designs.
The spectacle also celebrated the craftsmanship and attention to detail involved in the creation of Moroccan caftans. This included the fabrics, textures, and captivating colors used in the caftans varied according to regions, customs, occasions, and seasons.
The event also showcased Moroccans’ mastery of caftan styling techniques, embroidery, and ornamentation, a testament to the creative skills and dedication of the North African country’s artisans.
In line with the African Week’s objective of showcasing the continent’s cultural and artisanal heritage, Al-Idrisi incorporated “prominent authentic accessories that enhanced this elegant garment,” added the statement.
The accessories included hand-women and embroidered pouches, headbands, crowns, belts, woven and metallic trims, traditional brooches, earrings, and necklaces.
Adorned with coral and gemstones, the accessories enhanced the overall charm of the caftan designs.
The American Music Awards played host to a glittering showcase of Arab fashion this week as the likes of Carrie Underwood, Kelly Rowland, Becky G and Lauren Jauregui showed off gowns from Middle Eastern designers.
Country singer Underwood opted for a multi-hued dress by Lebanese Italian designer Tony Ward. With a plunging scooped neckline and playful fringed beading, the gown hailed from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
US singer and actress Rowland took things in a wilder direction with a leopard print sculptural gown by Lebanon’s Nicolas Jebran. The Rowland added black latex gloves for a dose of drama.
Meanwhile, US singer Becky G showed off an asymmetrical mini dress by Bahraini label Monsoori with a larger-than-life train and voluminous material draped on one shoulder.
For her part, US singer Lauren Jauregui, a member of Fifth Harmony, flaunted a floor-length number by designer Norma Kamali, who is partly of Lebanese descent. The heavily embroidered gown hailed from the designers Resort 2023 collection and featured tulip sleeves and a flared skirt.
Superstar singer and songwriter Taylor Swift won all six trophies she was contending for at Sunday night’s awards ceremony, including the artist of the year prize.
The new American Music Awards accolades lifted Swift’s lifetime total to 40, breaking her own record for most wins at the world’s largest fan-voted awards ceremony, Reuters reported.
The “Anti-Hero” singer said fan support in recent years had encouraged her to write more music, which made her happier.
“I have the fans to thank essentially for my happiness,” Swift said to a cheering crowd at the ceremony in Los Angeles.
Other honors for Swift on Sunday included favorite pop album, country album and video for her re-recording of 2012 record “Red.” The singer has been remaking albums from her past because of a dispute with her former record label.
For artist of the year, Swift triumphed over formidable names including Beyonce, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Drake, Adele and Bad Bunny, who had gone into the night with a leading eight nominations.
Pop singer Pink opened the AMAs show dancing and singing on roller skates to her upbeat song “Never Gonna Not Dance Again.” Later in the ceremony, she performed “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in a tribute to Olivia Newton-John, the “Grease” singer who died in August.
Musician Lionel Richie, known for “All Night Long” and other 1980s hits, was celebrated with the AMA’s icon award. Stevie Wonder and Charlie Puth performed a medley of Richie songs on dueling pianos.
It has been another big week for Arab designers, with a number of celebrities opting for Middle Eastern looks for the 2022 Governors Awards in Los Angeles.
Actress Jessica Chastain showed off a red hot Zuhair Murad look, while Elizabeth banks chose a sleek gown by Elie Saab.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Kelly Rowland wore a leopard print sculptural gown by Lebanon’s Nicolas Jebran. (AFP)
I like the idea of making people dream through creation, says Ali.
Tunisian designer Ali Karoui is best known for his red carpet haute couture as the favoured creator for fashion icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.
He chatted to The Kurator exclusively about being at the zenith of the world of fashion.
What draws you toward the world of haute couture instead of ready-to-wear?
I like this idea of making people dream through creation… And the rarity and the mystery that surrounds the world of haute couture.
Your interest in fashion began at an early age – how did your upbringing in Tunisia inspire you to go into fashion design?
I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment where women are treated like queens. I was looking at the closets of famous couturiers when I was a child, especially that of my grandmothers and mother, and that’s what gave me the love that I have today for haute couture.
You now dress A-listers and celebrities all over the world – does this create additional pressure to impress and attract attention with your designs?
Yes, of course, it creates a bit of stress because the more we are known the more demand there is on us, and it means more work for me and my team, but it is so enjoyable to see your creations worn by celebrities on the world’s biggest red carpets. It is a consecration for each artist to see his work recognized.
How did you first start collaborating with Georgina Rodriguez and in a way creating her signature look for her?
I met the beautiful Georgina at the Cannes festival in 2019. Her stylist contacted me to try one of my dresses that she saw in a picture. As she said on Netflix, I’m not trying to change her, she fell in love with my work and since then we are inseparable.
Your style can be interpreted as somewhat risqué – has this affected your career early on and did you face resistance in the Arab world of fashion design?
In no case did it affect my career, on the contrary, my style has made me known all over the world. You must believe in your dreams and continue to move forward, that is the key to success.
What kind of influence did Azzedine Alaïa have on you?
Azzedine Alaïa was a visionary. I had the chance to meet him several times. He gave hope to young Tunisian fashion designers, and allowed us all to dream that for us too, it was possible…
Who are some other fashion designers that you respect or that you looked up to early in your career?
There are many… I was in love with the vision of Gianni Versace, Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, and the master, Alaïa. Legends!
Do you keep an eye out on young and up-and-coming designers from the North Africa and Middle East region?
Of course! Many of them have a very bright future
source/content: gulfnews.com
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Tunisian designer Ali Karoui is drawn to the “mystery that surrounds the world of haute couture”.Image Credit: Instagram @alikaroui
Zuhair Murad. Couture, Ready-to-Wear, Bridal and Accessories.
The House of Zuhair Murad – designs, manufactures, distributes and retails coveted high fashion clothing. The brand is present in over 100 points of sales spread over the globe.
Inception and growth of boutiques:
Lebanon:
1997 – First Atelier opened in Beirut
2006 – First Boutique in Downtown Beirut
2010 – Relocated Corporate Office and Design Studio, Beirut
2013- Inaugrates Bridal Boutique, Beirut
International:
2001 – First Parisian ‘Maison de Couture’ in Paris
2016 – First store within a store, Kuwait
2017 – Shop in a shop, Vakko-Zorlu Center, Istanbul
2018- First Boutique in UAE, Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall
Launches:
2001 – First Couture collection present in Haute Couture Week in Paris
2005 – First Ready-to-Wear (RTW) evening collection
2011 – Launches RTW Bridal collection
Honours:
2012 – Elected as Guest Member on the Supervisory Board of the ‘French Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode’
Yosef Al Jasmi . Couturier. Designer and Owner – Yousef Aljasmi Haute Couture and Youef AL-jasmi.
Celebrities who have adorned and graced his creations read like a Who’s Who . Some of them are Beyonce, Paris Hilton, Naomi Campbell, Maria Menounos, Khloe Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Nawal, J.Lo, Zendaya, Taylor Swift etc. etc…
