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LANDMARK International, retail fashion group, recently hosted its spring/summer 2016 fashion event at the MediaONE Hotel in Dubai showcasing the hottest trends and brands for the season … and FashionWeekly was invited.
Guests were treated to a sneak peek of the collections available at New Look, Koton, Lipsy and Yours London already available or shortly to appear in Bahrain and all over the GCC.
New Look, the popular UK-based brand decided to focus on hothouse florals, graphic sporty styles and a modern twist on the 90s trends. Street-ready jackets, pale wash denims, pleated skirts, lace accents and boudoir-inspired dresses and camisoles were expressed in neutral colour palettes and highlighted with sizzling pops of colour that emulated the warm weather season.
This brand wants to make it easy for customers to wear the happening trends by naming its collections after the latest street styles. Names like ‘Castaway’ for the nautical bits, ‘Native Soul’ for the folky boho western vibe and ‘Hot House’ for the summer stars that hit the runways this SS16.
Swimwear is needed for this climate and high-neck styles are the key looks for the summer months, in feminine prints and scalloped edges. Plunging fronts, multi-straps, fringe and slashed cut-outs are perfect for pool parties and seaside holidays. Cover-ups in relaxed silhouettes came in crochet fabrics for playsuits and kaftans that could easily go from the beach to the city.
The Turkish brand Koton showcased a wide range of key items that focused on feminine florals with delicate details, boho-flow blouses, high-waist shorts, A-line skirts, shoulder cut-outs and statement necklines.
Watch for ‘jabot’ sleeves bringing Victorian back in a contemporary way in dresses and flouncy tops. The materials used were light and airy with crinkled chiffons and tweeds that are fit for summer weather.
There were a number of ‘must-haves’ shown to the media that were projected to be very fast-moving. Dizzy geometric monochrome skirts and white embroidered gypsy dresses with ‘jabot’ sleeves and shoulder cut-outs were highlighted. There was an adorable nautical-striped piece with a rope fastening neckline that would be perfect for the boardwalk.
The ‘Chanel’ matchy-match tweed sets are still very strong in the collection and high fashion brand ‘look-a-like’ pieces were presented. A very sought after Micheal Kors piece was replicated and other Gucci-inspired looks.
The colour palette is shades of summer white, sage green, aqua, sky blue and a warm combination of rose blush, soft peach, caramel and terracotta.
Lipsy had some very exciting collaborations starting with a 20-piece debut of the ‘Ariana Grande’ collection, Michelle Keegan ‘love Lipsy’ line and the ‘Races’ collection that was launched this March.
The SS16 seasonal story began with a garden party, race day outfits and separates designed for a dazzling day out. The brand injected bright vibrant florals, powdery pastels and delicate laces. The looks boasted of being ‘red-carpet’ worthy with lace-topped maxi gowns to skater peplum minis.
According to Lipsy and Yours London brand manager Sarah Morgan, the ‘race’ collection this season is the strongest. It emulates the dresses seen at Ascot, the famous horse racing event in the UK.
She said: “We find there is a lot more colour in demand in the Middle East region. So we have injected pinks, blues, oranges and cobalt blues. A really fresh vibe and all the silhouettes are gorgeous. The ‘skater skirt’ is back and the (2-in-1) ‘illusion dress’ is new with a dress that looks like a two-piece.”
The Michelle Keegan line is still being sold with playsuits in monochromes, body contour dresses in trendy shapes and sassy bold separates for power meetings in the office. The fabrics were ribbed and had lace overlay on all the ‘Bardot-style’ dresses that have kept this collection very popular.
The Ariana Grande collection was fun, flirty and iconic. Prices started from around BD19 for dresses and skirts and around BD17 for tops. The key features of the line came down to three distinct themes: a strong daywear story, prom-glam and paparazzi party. The whole collection can be complemented by Grande’s 30+ jewellery range.
Yours London, the best British plus-size retailer (sizes 14-32), was proud to introduce its collection taking key trends from the catwalk and adapting them for the full-figured market.
This season was all about mixing rainforest-inspired prints and pops of bright colour with wardrobe staples. Tummy control swimsuits and kaftan cover-ups were showcased which would help make the bigger ladies feel comfortable poolside. The collection also included a breezy set of kaftans and kimonos, in short and long styles, perfect for wrapping up on weekend get-a-ways.
Floral trousers paired nicely with bright coloured body-conscious tops in fun summer neons and hot-house palettes. A full range of denims were introduced to expand the casual options with graphic Tees in trendy styles to attract the younger market to the brand. Make sure to watch for an exclusive dress that came in both white and coral shades that was designated and designed just for the Middle East.
