The third Fashion Forward event in Dubai saw highstreet label Iconic throw a party on Friday and give a sneak peak to their guests on what will be available in their stores this September. tabloid! caught up with Raza Beig, CEO of Splash and Iconic, to get to the bottom of their collection, titled The Icon.
Inspired by trends around the world, Beig warns the world about the arrival of velvet tuxedos and bomber jackets. Excerpts from our interview via e-mail ...
Q: Tell us more about The Icon collection and what was the inspiration?
A: The Icon collection is inspired by the idea of being in love with yourself, expressing yourself as someone who defines beauty and loves to be the centre of attention. Inspired by the latest catwalk trends from the Autumn/Winter collections across the world, The Icon is a blend of those styles. With fabrics such as velvets, organza, taffeta with a dash of embellishment, these pieces will ensure you are the talk of the town. You will see cocoon shaped dresses in Lamé and scuba material, wide leg pants, structured skirts and asymmetrical dresses.
For men, we have focused on creating interesting separates. Expect to see velvet tuxedos, embellished sweatshirts, bomber jackets, joggers and duffle trench coats in an array of fabrics ranging from textured leather, neoprene, boiled wool and quilted fabrics. Digital sculpture prints with subtle embellishments will also be seen in some key pieces.
Q: What made you participate in Fashion Forward and how do you view such trade events?
A: FFWD is one of the most prestigious fashion events in this region in which designers from the Middle East showcase their best here. It is primarily a designer’s platform but we thought it’s time for a fashion retail brand to show what it can offer. Such events are a perfect melting point for industry talent to meet, interact and discuss the way ahead and dwell in the sheer extravagance that fashion has to offer.
Q: What is the fashion philosophy behind Iconic?
A: Iconic was started with the basic philosophy of being unique and being able to stand out in a market saturated with a wide range of high-street brands. We have achieved that by offering ‘fashion different’ pieces that suit a person’s individuality. When people walk into our stores, they are bound to find that one piece that matches their personality instantly.
Q: When will the collection be available and what are its price points?
A: The collection will hit the stores mid-September this year. We are a high-street retailer. We are sensitive to the wallet size of our customers and compete aggressively with other high-street retailers, so rest assured it will be amazing prices.
