Emirati designer Fatema Fardan recently presented her garden chic, culturally eclectic A/W 2015 collection for NYFW at the trendy Soho spot, Voce Di Gallery. The space was transformed into a fashionable garden. Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, daughter of the renowned fashion editor Carine Roitfeld, hosted the event. DJ Leigh Lezark of The Misshapes provided the music for the presentation, further creating an unforgettable atmosphere and show.
Fardan seamlessly and clearly brought the Middle East to her folklore-inspired pieces. “I was looking at traditional folklore clothing and thinking how I could translate them into clothes that the contemporary woman would like to wear,” says Fardan. “I did a lot of research and took elements from heritage clothing but refined it into a manner that can be versatile,” she says.
Forest green, crimson red, black and grey are artfully blended into dresses, cropped palazzo trousers, chiffon blouses and heavy, crepe culottes. Fardan went with her signature floral backdrops; however, this time in warm colors. “I have a major love affair with nature, so it’s important for me to incorporate aspects of it in my spaces,” she says. “I think about the mix-and-match aspect when I’m designing,” she says. “The way that we live nowadays, as modern consumers, we don’t wear one brand or kind of design from head to toe.”
“To be a designer you have to be open to different ways of thinking and different cultures,” she says. “You see that in most of the important designers; they’re like a culture sponge – they pick up everything from different people and places and translate it to their own design vision.” And all the elements were present to showcase this culturally rich collection: luxe fabrics, flowy silhouettes, fringe embellishments, chunky knits, and furry stoles.
There are a lot of strong pieces in this collection. The colors, how the looks are styled, really make each piece eye-catching and intriguing. I love the leather color-blocked pencil skirt. The moss green jacket below is also a stand-out piece. Show credit — PR — Seventh House.
Special guests for the event included renown fashion designer and stylist Rachel Zoe, fashion blogger Natalie Joos, fashion mogul Mohammed Sultan Al Habtoor, model Cory Kennedy, model Willy Cartier.
“The whole night felt like a beautiful dream,” she says. “The ambiance was perfect – it was everything I wanted it to be.” I agree! This presentation was top notch, even the tiniest of details was thought out. We in the fashion world appreciate this astute dedication and attention to detail.
