Fashion Capital

“Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.” Oscar de le Renta

It’s been a very fashionable week here in the capital that kicked off with the exclusive Grazia Middle East Fashion show in collaboration with The Mall at World Trade Center Abu Dhabi last Monday evening, followed by the five-day inaugural Yas Mall Fashion Week that concludes tonight. Both events have showcased the latest Autumn/Winter 2015 trends with stylish catwalk shows featuring collections from the brands available in the respective Aldar malls.

The red carpet Grazia Middle East event took place on the landscaped rooftop garden of the World Trade Centre Mall which was decorated in a Moroccan theme, streamed live on giant screens to shoppers inside the mall itself. Glamorous celebrity guests from the world of Arab film, television and music filled the FROW (that’s the Front Row to you and me) and had the local paparazzi out in force clamouring to capture the event. Star guest, Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred entertained the upbeat crowd with two of his hits and went down a storm, especially with the ladies, I must admit however that I had no idea who any of these celebrities were!

The two-part show featured this season’s 70s bohemia trend and there was even a special edition of Grazia Middle East magazine to compliment the one-off event. Shops and fashion houses on the catwalk included regional and international brands such as House of Fraser, Ted Baker, BCBG, Karen Millen, Escada, DKNY, Guess by Marciano, M Missoni, Gant, Palace Versaille Fashion, Bebe, The Luxury Arcase, Rodeo Drive, Splash and F&F.

Over at Yas Mall, the inaugural Fashion Week has been a glitzy affair that has featured three daily catwalk shows in the central Town Square space to coincide with the well publicised series of international fashion weeks in various locations across the globe such as London, New York and Paris. International fashion brands for both men and women have been on the agenda with a total of sixteen runway shows featuring thirteen brands all available in the mall. Themes in the Autumn/Winter collections have included romantic, modern retro, pop spirit, 70s bohemian-chic, modern geometric and west coast winter with shows set against a visual backdrop of vibrant New York.

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Laurel, Weill, Debenhams, House of Fraser, HOSS Intropia, Ted Baker, BCBG, Morgan De Toi, Gerard Darel, Promod and Esposa have all been involved in the fashion shows. Glamorous leisurewear retailer Juicy Couture are introducing their first Abaya range to the brand’s Middle Eastern customers, mixing traditional Arabic design with Juicy Couture’s popular and distinctive style.

Pop down to Yas Mall tonight to catch the final three shows of the Yas Mall Fashion Week with Morgan De Toi up first at 5pm, Juicy Couture and Hoss follow at 7pm and again at 9pm and finally Spanish brand Esposa will be rounding things up at the finale show at 9:30pm.