Designs of the times at VCUQatar fashion show

A popular trend in the past becomes new again at the 18th edition of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (VCUQatar) fashion show, which opened yesterday at The Gate Mall.Titled ‘Applique’, the event showcases new and elegant collections of sophomore, junior, and senior VCUQatar fashion students. “It is the essence of ‘Applique’ to make new, or to sustain what is still beautiful. They are appliqueing with their own spin, with their own starch, and pressing out innovative, but sustainable designs,” VCUQatar fashion department chair Sandra Wilkins said. House of Nomad, founded in 2014 by designers and longtime friends Ahmed El Sayed and Saleh al-Banna, is this year’s guest designer. El Sayed is a former fashion editor with a BFA in Fashion Design from VCUQatar. The company showcases some of its Spring/Summer collections— from bomber jackets and cotton pullovers to mini tennis skirts and off-shoulder wide-leg jump-suits. “This collection was inspired by a colour story that captures the essence of summer and brings to mind skaters and young girls enjoying a break on the boardwalk along the beach, and translated that fun-loving spirit into both daywear and evening wear,” El Sayed noted.A new and unique collection this year is the ‘Rainwear Spirit,’ a new approach to rainwear dressing that challenges students to create a non-traditional touch to celebrating rain. The sophomore collection featured designs that reflect “the spirit of the Harajuku district in Tokyo, known globally for its youth culture and fashion.”“Each student had to project his or herself into the scene and design a garment they would personally wear on the streets of Harajuku,”organisers said. Meanwhile, the junior collections are inspired by the increasing influence of sports wear on fashion aesthetics. The senior collection is an eclectic mix of day and evening looks that reflect the individual aesthetic of each student, which includes “a minimum of eight looks that reinforce the individual vision, creativity, and styles of the young designers.”“We are always delighted to showcase the works of our students. We have instructed talented young women with the skills necessary to enter this design profession,” Wilkins stressed. “Now it’s time for them to seek further experiences, to add other appliques to enhance their design careers.”Designs and creations of Aisha al-Darwish, Amna al-Misned, Ghalya al-Neema, Maria Lucia Munoz, Maryam al-Thani, Radheya Visperas, Samyah Abou-Rahma, and Sarah al-Abdulghani form part of the senior collections. The two-day fashion show concludes today with an awards ceremony for its outstanding student designers.