m i l LI o n a i r E fa s h i o n & b e a u t y

Going with the flow

The
cement
of
fashion
Laurien Angelista, Miss Teen Curacao models a gown by Walid Atallah,
holding creations by Lomar

Photograph Bala Santosh

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While diamonds can be a designer’s fancy, cement

can be another’s. While one of the models can
be a Miss Universe aspirant, another could have
been discovered in the mall, with mommy. We set

D
about discovering the superlatives at Dubai’s most
celebrated fashion event, with a little help from
ubai International Fashion Week, the second
the organisers edition, became a time for superlatives.
While Miss Teen Curaçao decided to grace
the ramp, complete with crown, designers
were vying to show their best, most expensive collections at
the show. The organisers walked the malls of Dubai and turned
up with talent. Dubai women now have a reason to dress up for
grocery shopping, as they are wont to do anyway.
Everyone knows fashion, especially on the runway, is about
extremes – whether in terms of costs, which go into hundreds of
Millionaire report
thousands of dollars, or popularity that translates into waiting
lists far beyond what the medical profession can aspire to, or man-
hours spent on sending the model out dressed just so. Flitting
between the models backstage and catching designers when they
paused for a breath, Millionaire took a peek at the superlatives
of DIFW. >

Walid Atallah at DIFW with models wearing his creations

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Walid Atallah
Atallah never ceases to impress. He possesses the ability to make
white drip with opulence. Beige becomes shiny, glittery gold
under his care. Then, he adds a diamond or two. Walid Atallah
claims to be the first designer to use diamond and precious stones
as an integral part of his designs. He has designed one of the
most expensive wedding dresses estimated at $1.2 million.

Lomar
This DIFW introduced Dubai to Lomar, a brand of men’s thobes
made by the Saudi designer couple Loai Nassem and Mona Al
Haddad. As the DIFW progressed you would spot young Arab
men wearing one of these creations which add a traditional
touch to the contemporary with a metal zip or even radium. Clad
in a sporty blue one, sitting cross-legged with his laptop, Nassem
was the best advertisement for his brand – every inch the US-
educated Saudi graphic designer. The more expensive ones, he
says, are for grooms and cost $1,000. Inspired by contemporary
designs, Nassem is known to name his creations.

Stefan Buchmann
If you don’t know what a Bajuzin is, Buchmann will tell you
that it is easily the most expensive item he has in his fur closet,
a mere €70,000. Designer and owner of the fur label Pelzwerk
Hamburg, the fur couturier from Germany brought to Dubai a

A detail of a Lomar thobe

A model walks the ramp in a gown by Lilli Spina

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collection of Haute Couture and limited design edition furs. He

says he is inspired by each of the countries that he shows in.
We will wait to see what he makes of Dubai when it comes to
inspiration for furs. Handmade, of course.

Lili Spina
Lilli Spina Atelier was born from the love and passion of architect
and stylist Lilli Spina. In 2007, Spina launched a premium
collection of revolutionary evening dresses to a discriminating
niche market. Her most expensive creation at DIFW? A gown
made of Italian satin and French lace, at €1,800.

Rubin Singer
It appears that Dubai is already an inspiration. Singer presented
a gold dress made of gold treads, silk and metals especially for
the finale. At $18,500, it is the most expensive
creation he made for the DIFW. The collection
is inspired by construction materials
such as cement, steel and glass, titled ‘Under
construction’.
with inputs from
Dianne Keith Consignado

A model sports furs by Stefan Buchmann

A model in a creation by Rubin Singer

Mona Al Haddad and Loai Nassem, Lomar

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