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Colour, fusion and style from different parts of the world set the scene for a show that makes models of mums and regular women on the island.
The American Women’s Association (AWA) presented Fashion Fusion, the social group’s popular annual event featuring local and international clothes, shoes and jewellery designs at the Intercontinental Regency Bahrain on Monday.
Showcasing the designer costumes in style were volunteer models aged between 20 and 50, of different heights and sizes, walking on six-inch heels and flat soled shoes. They were given special training to walk on the ramp, carry off a designer dress and pose for the photographers.
Leading the fray was the tall and stunning beauty from South Africa, Beverley West, who attracted applause time and again from a packed audience which included AWA members and guests.
The fabulous ladies reflected the ethos of the AWA that has a multi-national membership. The models came from France, the US, Netherlands, the UK, Canada, Lebanon, Thailand, Japan, Ireland, Russia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The show opened with models sashaying down the catwalk to Arabic beats wearing beautiful black abayas embellished with colourful embroidery in eye-catching red and gold. They were designed by Bahraini designer Hanadi Al Hossaini who retails under the name of Jovan and has a boutique in Riffa.
A splash of colour followed with stylish and chic fashion from Noora Couture, inspired by cupcakes, Lady Gaga and the late pop icon Michael Jackson’s songs and styles.
Visitors were treated to an array of trendy wear – dresses and gowns for different occasions in various colour combinations including pink and black, purple and yellow, fluorescent green and silver, grey and gold and bold red with black.
The stage later came alive with the sounds and colours of Africa and outfits from designer label Jummy Stitches, floated by former AWA member Olajumoke Ajayi. The colourful dresses in bold geometric patterns and expansive headwear, wraparounds and skirts injected fresh energy to the morning show.
Graceful costumes from Thailand graced the stage next. Short dresses and off-the-shoulder outfits with stoles in pink and gold, blue and gold, orange and gold and grey and silver with matching jewellery and high heels.
The theme of elegance continued with a collection of traditional wedding outfits donated for the occasion by Mrs Sukma Salim, wife of the Indonesian Consul. The women looked ‘royal’ with their heavy gold jewellery and tiaras complimenting the stunning silk dresses.
Next was a scene straight from Arabian Nights with ladies displaying flowing jalabiya in a variety of colours and prints. These stunning outfits looked out-of-this-world with beautiful embroidery, mirror work, bold patterns, belts and beads. They came from the collection of designer label Malaak, run by Maryam Abdul Rahman Mahmood.
The next round of the show brought the audience back to reality with ladies taking to the stage wearing more casual jeans and flowing tops, pant dresses or jumpsuits, short pants and wraparounds. They were designs from Bahraini label Estilo that merged Bahraini culture and international fashion.
Jalabiyas designed by the team at Danat Tailoring came next. The label provides underprivileged women with an opportunity to design, tailor and embroider fashion for the local market.
The finale of the show was a collection of dresses by AWA member Adriana Skaloud, who described her designs as classical, timeless and feminine in a range of colours, textures and styles.
Aspiga provided a collection of beaded and jewelled leather sandals and flip flops for the models and jewellery came from Qide Jewellery.
The event was sponsored by EJ Hair International who provided hair styling and make-up for the models and World Beat Fitness Centre helped train the models. Other contributors included Singapore Flowers, Music & Lights, Primera Ystilo events planning and management group and Intercontinental Regency Bahrain.
The American Women’s Association models were Corinne Boiraud, Mandy Chakkos, Antoinette de Windt, Jennifer Downey Gill, Angela Hamer-Powell, Sandra Hoek, Danielle House, Hala Jamal, Supatra Kesonpat, Nadia Le Divenach, Koaru Neukomm, Mary O’Shaughnessy, Lena Prokhonova, Asha Radicic, Patti Rbeiz, Mayumi Rush, Jaclynn Sloan, Deborah Steeples, Ari Veo, Beverley West, Andrea Williams and Jeanie Wilson.
