I was at Reem Acra on Monday afternoon.
Reem Acra Fall 2012 collection
Lebanese designer Reem Acra is relatively unknown across the pond; save for her stunning gowns that have graced the red carpet on Taylor Swift, Olivia Wilde, Angelina Jolie and Madonna. So I was excited to see her full collection for the very first time.
What was great about the collection is that the pieces were obviously made to be figure-friendly and visually gorgeous rather than fitting into seasonal trends. But Acra managed to do both very successfully. Now that New York Fashion Week is over half way through, the leather and oxblood trends have both been established, and she nailed both with a nipped-in burgundy leather suit. Other catwalk-popular colours like forest and black were also seen tailored in leather with touches of lace. Another burgeoning trend is suiting and Acra’s metallic houndstooth boxy versions took them from workwear to going-out wear. There was no clear decade inspiration, more like a mishmash of the most female- flattering elements of the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. As well as championing the hourglass figure, the drop-waisted dress freed the waist stylishly just like it did the empowered women of the1920s. I, and many women, love a sequin and they were dusted onto jackets and covered pencil skirts, clutch bags and a pair of skinny trousers. Sporty accessories juxtaposed nicely with the tough femininity on show taking the collection to another level. There were elegant leather gloves (elbow-length and driving), waist belts, a oversized black rectangular bowling bag which was my personal must-have and simple single-strap shoes.
Acra justified why she is a red-carpet favourite with boldly stunning gowns; which would have delighted the stylists present scouting for awards season gown ideas. She presented a stand-out slashed black and mesh gown (similar to the black Anthony Vaccarello one Karlie Kloss can’t take off) and a stunning V necked black sequin and ruffled gown which weren’t for the faint-hearted or attention- shy. There were tamer-but-no-less-lovely options with Balmain- esque mini dresses and second-skin metallic and black column dresses to choose from.
The Fall 2012 Reem Acra woman (not girl) will be powerful and glamourous in that collection, strutting along with smoky eyes and a swinging ponytail. Put simply, Reem’s show was… well, Reem (excuse the TOWIE- inspired pun).
