DUBAI: Pink seems to be the fashion world’s color of choice this year. As Aerosmith’s lead singer Stephen Tyler once crooned, “Pink, it’s not even a question” — and it certainly was not at Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji’s Arab Fashion Week show on Monday night.
His much-anticipated collection in collaboration with Barbie was all anyone could talk about in the run-up to the event. After all, he is the first Middle Eastern designer to partner with Mattel, and that is quite an achievement.
“My first-ever fashion experience was with a Barbie doll, and as a child, I used to dress them. I still have the dresses I made for them. There were around five,” Sabaji told Arab News.
“I can’t believe that on the 10-year anniversary of my brand, I’m doing a collaboration with them. It’s like going back to my childhood dream,” added the designer, who has dressed celebrities such as Beyonce, Cardi B and Kelly Rowland.
The vibe was buzzing as prominent magazine editors from the region took their seats. Also in attendance was model Chanel Ayan and star of Bravo TV’s “Real Housewives of Dubai” – a strong supporter of Sabaji’s creations.
The runway presentation started with a bang, with curvy model Ameni Esseibi opening the show. In a tiered, black-feathered skirt with a shimmery bright pink top, she championed size inclusivity and did away with the notion that Barbie-inspired ensembles are only for traditional model body types. Sabaji’s lineup was inclusive, and it showed that his clothes are meant for every body.
More feathers followed: some of the large and stiff variety, functioning as a conceptual sleeve; on others, the plumes were wispy. Case in point: a pink, oversized heart-shaped top exploding with ostrich feathers. Overall, the silhouettes were light and playful. Whimsical, heart-shaped cutouts were recurrent throughout the show. On a floor-length pink dress with power shoulders, they served as pocket detailing, while on a pair of tailored trousers, they ran down each side. There was definitely a sporty vibe here. How else does one explain the sheer varsity jacket or the stretchy bodysuit paired with a ballgown skirt complete with stretchy gloves?
Eveningwear came in full throttle, but none of it was restrictive. Sabaji wants his women to have fun, and so they did. One standout option was a buttery soft leather strapless gown with a slit on the back for movement and an embellished sculptural sleeve that stretched around the model’s neck.
No doubt this was a celebratory show for Sabaji. In just a decade in the business, the couturier has conquered not only the red carpet but also the world’s most iconic doll.