Shimmer & dazzle were the colors this season
Kuwait’s most awaited fashion event was hosted by Bibi AlKhuodari, a journalist by profession. Al-Khuodari, who has been working with Al-Qabas newspaper from the past 12 years and is also a TV editor said, “This is my first time hosting a fashion event in Kuwait, and the journey has been quite a thrill. I got the chance to meet many local and international designers from all around the fashion industry.”
Christophe Guillarme, Paris-based designer was one of the key trend setters at the fashion week. He finds women of Kuwait very interesting and stylish. “This was my first visit to Kuwait. I find the women here to be very stylish, elegant. I’ve noticed that they like wearing designer wear. Observing their fashion sense has been amazing. The fact that they’re always wearing just the right fabric and color highlights that ‘they are into fashion.’ For them fashion is life, like a full time job; it’s a way of life,” he said.
He added, “I work with a few boutiques in Kuwait on collaborative basis. When they invited me on this show, I grabbed the opportunity, to share my fashion with Kuwait. Also, I wanted to know how it feels to be a fashion designer here.” Guillarme’s fashion ideas, inspirations and creations come from his daily experience with people that he meets in different walks of life.
According to Guillarme, this season’s summer color will be ‘gold’. “People like gold this year. In fact, I want gold, and maybe the color gold will also dominate the next winter season. They want sand colors, and the most popular one is the embroidered sunflowers. Flowers are still very much in and will overpower the color in fashion, the materials are mostly from elegant silk fabric and cotton,” he said.
Lebanese designer Boudi Dib said, “My readymade collection is destined to the contemporary man who needs to be fashionable and comfortable at the same time. High end fabrics were used such as linen, cotton and wool, in order to reach the highest level of comfort and durability.” As for his experience during the KIFW he said, “Collaborating with KIFW has been an amazing experience that gave me the opportunity to market our vision in the best possible way.”
Pria Kataria Puri is an Indian internationally acclaimed fashion designer who has won 30 awards for her contribution in the fashion in the fashion industry, she has single handedly made the Kaftan a ‘must have’ in every woman’s wardrobe and earned the prestigous title of ‘The Kaftan Queen’. Pria showcased ‘La Lumiere’ glamorous evening wear collection in exotic French crystal fabric for multicultural, multifaceted women of today, who believe in elegant, luxurious, timeless pieces. Pria showcased her signature style such as the glittering Kaftan gowns, shimmering jumpsuits and pantsuits, babydoll cancan frocks and capes were accessorized with ostrich feathers and ostentatious fascinators in classic colors like champagne gold, white, rose gold and black.
“I was very delighted and honored to showcase at Kuwait International Fashion Week, I consider Kuwaiti women as the most fashionable women in the world, who understand luxury, style and quality as they are also avid shoppers, making Kuwait a big market for women’s luxury fashion,” Pria said.
Turkish brothers Onay and Rasit Bagzibagli, owners of Dervis Bagzibagli stores presented their collection at KIFW 2018. Onay defined his menswear collection as ‘exceptional.’ He said, “No matter what the trends are, a really strong suit will never be irrelevant.” Onay noted that his collection of tuxedo is unique and classic where he used navy, gray, and black jackets made of mixed fabric of silk. “I put everything that I have into a suit while making it,” he said.
He revealed his plans to expand and open branches in Europe, England and Dubai. He added, “My first ever visit to Kuwait for the fashion show was short but I’m soon planning to come and study the Kuwaiti market to consider it, especially the Avenues mall.”
As for Rasit Bagzibagli’s women’s wear collection, it was very feminine and he played with a lot of different fabrics and colors. His shimmery yet elegant collection gave great definition to the models’ bodies making it visually attractive.