This season, Bloomingdale’s-Dubai brought fashion tech front row at the Autumn/Winter 2013 fashion show and the result was nothing short of cinematic, although lacking the splendor and glamour Middle Eastern fashionistas are accustomed to. Taking its cue from designer runways and inspired by the street styles of the world’s most fashionable cities, Bloomingdale’s-Dubai highlighted this season’s must-haves in designer, contemporary and casual wear via a larger than life, multi-camera live feed projection. Spanning the width of the Madinat Arena venue, the oversized screen allowed guests to experience a multi-dimensional view of each of the 60 runway looks.
In addition to the high definition viewing experience, guests had the opportunity to get their hands on the new collections via the Bloomingdale’s-Dubai Lookbook application, which went live after the show. Outfitted with mini iPads, 30 life-sized acrylic models were in position to greet over 350 attendees at the post show reception with the option to like, share and ‘shop’ their favourite looks or items from the runway show. While guests mixed and mingled, DJ Bliss kept the crowd moving and provided the perfect soundtrack for the fashionable evening.
Although, the experience was exiting, it left the feeling that Bloomingdale’s kept the best models in store. Altogether, the Autumn/Winter 2013 shown on the runway did not impress with originality. Glitter was present in almost all of the outfits, regardless smart-casual or evening gowns.
The highly anticipated fashion show highlighted grunge, masculine-inspired, bold prints and lady-like luxe as some of the season’s hottest trends in womenswear, and included stand-out styles and showstoppers from new brands and coveted collections including Victoria Beckham, Alaia, Mary Katrantzou for Moncler, Dries Van Noten and Isabel Marant. Fine jewellery found itself in the spotlight during the eveningwear segment, where voluminous gowns and ethereal dresses were accented by Tahitian pearls from Robert Wan and art deco inspired pieces from Ivanka Trump Jewelry.
In menswear, designer brands Valentino, Brunello Cucinelli, Corneliani and Boss Hugo Boss lead the fashionable flock in formalwear while Alexander McQueen and Moschino were spot on trend with geometric prints and a strong colour focus. Rounding out the more casual looks, Burberry Brit, Sandro and Theory 38 played up the sporty chic trend with bomber jackets and noteworthy knits.
From menswear-inspired and fashionably ‘alternative’ pieces to ladylike luxe in womenswear to sport chic and super czar silhouettes in menswear, Bloomingdale’s-Dubai’s Autumn/Winter 2013 runway show left the public hungry for more. Here we must mention, that most of the ladies in the public looked better dressed than the models and Hermes handbags were like an uniform accessory.
