Latest news with #ParisCouture
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Overwhelming feelings': Syrian designer Rami Al Ali on Paris Couture Week debut
As well as being optimistic about the future of his war-ravaged country, Rami Al Ali has other reasons to be upbeat: he is about to become the first Syrian fashion designer to show his work at Paris Couture Week. The invitation to appear on the world's most prestigious fashion stage is a huge endorsement for the 53-year-old from the eastern city of Deir Ez-Zor who turned to design after a childhood admiring his architect father's drawings. Now, following years of dressing A-listers from Oscar winner Helen Mirren to Beyonce as well as Middle Eastern royals, Al Ali is rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the industry. "Nervous, excited, tired, happy," he said when asked how he felt as he prepared models for his debut Paris Couture show on Thursday (July 10). "It's a mix of very overwhelming feelings." After studying in Damascus, Al Ali left for Dubai as a young man in search of opportunities in the fashion industry, working initially for two regional brands. He branched out on his own in 2001, building a regional fanbase for his eponymous brand from the United Arab Emirates before creating a following in Europe, including via shows in Paris outside the official fashion week calendar from 2012. The invitation this year from France's prestigious Federation De La Haute Couture et de la Mode places him in a new elite category that is increasingly diverse. Read more: Why is Jonathan Anderson's first Dior show at Paris Fashion Week so significant? Syrian traditions "It's a definitely big credit... to be acknowledged, to be authenticated, to be endorsed," he explained. Other non-Western designers such as Imane Ayissi, the sole sub-Saharan African at Paris Couture Week, have hailed the French federation's openness. "It shows that things are changing, that things are moving forward," former model Ayissi said this week. Al Ali's new collection of couture dresses – he also produces two lines of ready-to-wear per year – has been inspired like most of his work by his Syrian heritage and includes input from the country's Craft Council. "I built from my heritage, from my background, from where I was based, also in the Middle East, in Dubai, all of those combined together created the form and the DNA of the brand," he explained. Given an appreciation of tradition from his historian mother, Al Ali draws on the design aesthetics of Damascus, Aleppo and Palmyra in particular. "You don't see them anywhere else, and those are the ones that I'm trying as much as I can every time to bring back to life," he added. One of his dresses in Thursday's collection features elaborate sculptural patterns made from rolled off-white crepe fabric that has been stitched by hand in a process that took an estimated 300 hours of work. Read more: All eyes on fashion provocateur Demna as he attempts to revive Gucci's fortunes Creative freedom Beyond the runways and glitz of the fashion world, Al Ali also attempted to support Syrian artists through the country's nearly 14-year civil war via a charity initiative called Ard Dyar. The fall of former president Bashar Al-Assad in December, which led to the rise of rebel-turned-transitional leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, has given Al Ali cause for optimism about his homeland's future. Several Western governments have lifted sanctions on Syria as Sharaa, a formerly Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist, attempts to fully pacify the country and rebuild. "We called the collection the 'Guardian of Light', and it came also at a time that is very hopeful, very promising," Al Ali said. "I think many great things will come to light very soon." After decades of Syria being a byword for violence and political oppression, Ali hopes that artists will now help highlight the country's rich history and design culture. "I think now we have much more freedom in expressing ourselves in all different aspects, political, humanitarian, creative. We have a lot to say, and definitely we are bolder, braver in the way we express it," he said. – AFP
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Lisa Haydon's ‘Vatavaran' added spark and glitter to Rahul Mishra's Paris Couture Week
'The Pale Blue Dot' Paris Couture Spring 2025 collection by Indian designer Rahul Mishra was his most personal showcase to date, but just wait until you see his 'Becoming Love' Fall 2025 collection as he returned to the City of Love. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking in soft-spoken notes of creativity, Rahul Mishra revealed a piece of his soul, with Bollywood diva Lisa Haydon elevating the moment with her poised and iconic presence in 'Vatavaran'. Playing the perfect muse in a sheer sequin dress that echoed the designer's signature aesthetics, Lisa looked nothing short of divine as she walked the ramp in ethereal white couture. Her ensemble featured a corset-style dress with sheer detailing, a celebration of India through Rahul Mishra's visionary craftsmanship. (Image Credits: Instagram) Created with immense care and detail, Lisa Haydon owned the runway in a gown adorned with floral appliqué and shimmering embellishments. The cinched bodice flowed seamlessly into a floor-length silhouette, wrapping her toned figure in timeless grace. This strapless masterpiece became a living canvas, glowing with elegance. Janhvi Kapoor's International Runway Debut Stirs Mixed Reactions She amped up her runway look with a sparkling diamond necklace and earrings from Tanishq, her presence radiating elegance in perfect harmony. Lisa embraced her natural beauty with a dewy, highlighted base, nude eyeshadow, and a soft pink lip, a look that was effortlessly iconic. Her slicked-back hairstyle added a sleek finish, leaving the audience wanting more. (Image Credits: Instagram) 'Becoming Love' is Rahul Mishra's poetic ode to the seven stages of love, beginning with attraction, moving through infatuation, surrender, reverence, devotion, and obsession, and ultimately confronting the transcendence of love through the idea of death, portrayed in the most alluring way.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alessandro Michele brings dark drama and Elton John to Valentino
Valentino, the last show of Paris Couture, came with a health warning that the staging and lighting 'might cause issues' for claustrophobics and anyone with photosensitivity. It should have had a few more: the stairs to the higher seats were so steep, influencers in stunt heels and trailing hemlines had to have flunkies follow behind them with their arms spread wide to catch them if they fell. In the darkness, the mournful soundtrack of police sirens and, possibly, booming bitterns was punctuated by screams as guests in stilettos impaled other guests' feet in the trample to get to their 10sq in allotted space. Persistent rain outside gave added atmosphere – and slipperiness. A wind machine aimed at the models as the end-of-show finale was strong enough to knock them flat. The moody rock star, Nick Cave, who was front row, probably felt right at home. Sir Elton John, along the way in his pink shoes, less so. The actual clothes should also have come with a health warning. They were enough to bring a minimalist out in hives. This was Alessandro Michele's first couture show for Valentino. In fact, his first couture show as creative director anywhere. The temptation of being let loose amongst the most expert embroiderers, cutters and tailors in Paris was clearly irresistible. Most of his creations would have been too much for Scarlett O'Hara. A bit OTT for Marie-Antoinette. Enough to make Widow Twankey gulp. Enormous crinolines, panniers, conical hoop skirts in harlequin checks or textured gold were clearly not designed for the Oscars as you couldn't sit down in them. Nor for the Met Ball, since you wouldn't fit through the door. Rather, the dresses were there to make a splash. The man who once put a rocket up Gucci is now letting off fireworks under his new customers. They probably loved it. Not only was this fashion as sheer theatre, there were also some amazingly beautiful clothes. A drop-waisted red gown with a multi-tiered chiffon skirt would fulfil any baby billionairess's Disney fantasies. A poetic tiered chiffon-and-lace skirt and top and a black party dress with a lot of oomph were both crowd pleasers, while a beautifully cut white jacket and black embroidered skirt are showstoppers. Lauren Bacall would have snapped up the ivory dress and matching trimmed cape and the crimson watered silk gown was pure drama. Oh, and props to Michele for casting the only models at Couture who weren't absurdly young. Some even had grey hair. And perhaps, under the Nan's nightlight cape the odd one mightn't even have been size zero. That really would light a bonfire under Couture week.
