Abu Dhabi Fashion Week came to a close with an interesting collection by Italian designer Valentino, whose haute couture collection was the designer's last line after 45 years of a strong presence in the fashion industry.
Valentino's collection consisted of the big, evening gowns in the style known as the "Valentino drape".
White suits, sometimes accompanied by high waist thick silver belts were also a nod to the couture; black velvet or feathery jackets with sheer fabric and gloves were also showcased on the catwalk; knee-length clingy dresses with rich feathers came in grey, silver, pink and black.
Sparkling skirts, with chic tops to match, were also displayed; silk, velvet and dentelle were the most common materials in the show.
Energy
Ballroom dresses were also on display. The most common colours dominating the catwalk were rose, grey, silver, green, pink, gold, black and tomato red.
"I feel a certain energy in Abu Dhabi and am delighted to be a part of this important event that consists of quality partnership and a mixed blend of culture showcased in fashion," said Matteo Marzotto, CEO, Valentino Group and VP. "This event is not just about having Valentino's collection in Abu Dhabi. I promise to come back and stay here for longer."
Valentino's red dress theme was paraded through the velveteen Arabian night before an international and regional audience of VIPs, fashion industry experts, buyers and guests.
The red dress, a product of Valentino's first Rome atelier, was embellished with large roses made of small ruffles under a sheet of tulle with leaves in diamonds. Other themes included flowers, bows, waving pages of organza and the vertical fountain drapes which Valentino innovated in the late 1960s.
Theme
"We use red as a flag theme. It is not our first time to display this specific colour. Previously we displayed 30 red designs in our Milan headquarters. What you saw in the Valentino collection on Saturday night has passed through years and decades of experience," said Marzotto.
Embroidery was rich with smoking brown, red, gold and diamonds embellished with feathers.
Media Round Table
The following people attended Abu Dhabi Fashion Week's Media Round Table Press Conference on Saturday: Mario Boselli, President Camera Moda; Giovanna Ferragamo, Vice President Camera Moda/CEO Ferragano Group; James Khazaei, GM/Leasing and Sales, Al Dar Properties; Alice Teeuwen, Chairman, Maven; Giulia Pirovano, General Manager, Camera Moda.
Maven Corporate Ltd has joined hands with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the National Chamber for Italian Fashion, to launch the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week
Camera Moda is involved in national and international initiatives aimed at valuing and promoting Italian style, customs and Fashion.
Camera Moda are currently celebrating their 50 year anniversary and have launched international fashion show events for the past 35 years.
This is Giovanna Ferragoma's first time in the Gulf. She was impressed with the culture, the beauty of the UAE women and the fast paced development witnessed in the capital. She is anxious to hold more fashion shows here and is enthusiastic to help educate younger designers in the UAE.
