Saudi shoe guru Lulu Al-Hassan shows off new collection at LFW
The eldest Hadid, Gigi, took to the mirrored runway at London’s Kensington Olympia in a sporty bomber jacket and catsuit, while her younger sister Bella stunned in a beige bodycon midi dress that featured a keyhole cut-out as pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque played live. Also walking was fellow supermodel Kendall Jenner, who was dressed in a tartan bustier, layered under a semi-sheer white skirt and white boots. The models, who were recently selected to star in the storied fashion house’s newest campaign, were joined by hijab-wearing model Ugbad Abdi, who also took to the runway at Monday’s fashion extravaganza. For her part, Abdi strutted in a long tartan dress paired with checked trousers, a trench coat and headscarf.
Fellow supermodels Joan
Smalls and Irina Shayk also starred in the high-octane show. Of course, there weren’t just supermodel stars on the runway, with Naomi Campbell, Winnie Harlow and Yolanda Hadid sitting front row to support Tisci. The catwalk show, which drew celebrities including Cate Blanchett to its front row, is one of the glitziest highlights of London Fashion Week.
The Italian designer has revamped Burberry since he joined in 2018, changing the label’s typeface, introducing a “TB” monogram and bringing an edginess to its classic
British style.
The collection, titled “Memories,” was Tisci’s third since joining the storied fashion house as chief creative officer and featured everything from sleek and classic looks to sporty and
It’s time to get ready for a new way of looking at shoes. Are they items to protect your feet? Fashion statements, from towering heels to trending trainers? Or does Lulu Al-Hassan, founder and creative director of the Lu Vixen luxury shoe brand, have a completely novel way of looking at them?
The Saudi designer unveiled her latest collection at Hotel Café Royal’s Oscar Wilde Lounge as part of “Stories from Arabia” at London Fashion Week on Monday. Al-Hassan forged her own path in order to follow her passion for shoes. “My family really did not like my idea because I have a master’s in IT from a good university in the US and I was holding a good position in Saudi Arabia,” she told Arab News. “All of sudden, I decided to quit all that and go to Italy and study shoe design, which is my passion. It wasn’t easy because at that time Saudi (Arabia) wasn’t as open as it is today. So, I had to struggle and make my own way.”
She studied shoemaking and pattern cutting at Milan’s prestigious Arsutoria School, established in 1947, and took pattern-cutting classes in London. “I wanted this collection to be very chic and detailed,” she said about her latest line. “We have used a lot of chiffon and delicate fabrics not usually associated with shoes. Lu Vixen is basically lingerie for the feet so the shoe has to be soft on your skin and comfortable.”
Alongside the stilettos with gold and silver metallic elements were beautifully crafted lowerheeled shoes and sandals in suede and leather. Chiffon trims came in a palette of fuchsia, orange and lime green.
“I have loved shoes since childhood and over the years I have done a lot to learn about the shoemaking craft … I studied the anatomy of the feet. I used to travel and pay all my own costs to attend leather fairs and the like just to educate myself,” she added of her determination to make a name for herself in the shoe business.