Fashion weeks need to look, breathe and feel style with a sharp and cutting edge appeal to semblance of design and distinctive signature and the fourth edition of Arab Fashion Week 2017 was an affair for scintillating fashion. The catwalk stood resplendent amidst the groovy music. There were those who wowed and those who didn’t, one witnessed fashion drama, perfect ready couture, the inevitable luxurious metaphor and the sporadic collections which cannot be epithet as couture. With fashion weeks galore nipping at our heels the dream of having seasonal trends in fashion seems to have been realised. 
Community lays down the top 10 collections that went on the runway of Arab Fashion Week 2017, designers, bigwigs, and new comers alike, once again giving the look their stamp of approval with their unique iterations of the style. 

LaQuan Smith
When it comes to celebrity appeal and what we’ve seen on and off at the red carpet, sported by Kim Kardeshian, Beyonce or Jennifer Lopez, its Smith’s Signature style, whose sheer quirky collection yet again made all the fashionistas sit up and take notice. Featuring deadly black PVC Catsuits, Python Knits, Over-the-Knee Boots, Corset Pant and Puffer Boots, critics defined it as an “unapologetically glamorous” and this black dress by LaQuan that looks as comfy as a tanktop at the top billows out into a sleek corseted dress worthy of any red carpet. Va. Va. Voom!

Aiisha Ramadan
The Resort 18 Collection, featuring 48 looks in the palette of deep blue, white and red – with crystals and delicate embroidery work; the chic appealing looks, all too perfectly detailed was a winner in our warm climes. Her collection was the perfect summery interpretation, nonchalant way more than anything too constructed or trite. It’s sunny, pretty and feminine and completely in keeping with Aiisha’s collection that was inspired by the beach babe. 

Michael Cinco
Aishwarya Rai Bachan was recently spotted wearing the voluminous silhouette by Michael Cinco at Cannes Film Festival 2017, and Cinco’s showcase was just an extension to the beautifully constructed gowns in 50 shades of blue, gold and cream. The Swarovski crystals and complicated embroideries enhanced his regal collection inspired by the Indian heritage as the models sashayed down the pizzazz runway. This collection was completely different, obtruding among the litany of designers who showcased at the fourth affair of Arab Fashion Week in a more austere vein than crazy, luxury and blingy, but hey you’ve got to love the versatility! The dresses that set the fashion world’s pulse racing. 

Laura Mancini
Laura’s collection featured the cutting edge luxe ethereal evening gowns and exquisite capes paying an ode to Maria Callas (the most renowned and influential opera singers of 20th century). This was sexy, high fashion designer wear! Pastel Pink dominated the collection with embellishment in gold. The silhouette was spot on, sexy backs fitted the contours of the body properly and dresses flowed exactly as they should. Laura Mancini, this Italian gal knows what she is doing and does it well. 

Kristina Fidelskaya
One of Dubai’s hottest Russian designers Kristina Fidelskaya, presented her eclectic and tasteful collection in pastel hues but with the easy breeze to each feminine gown exquisitely constructed with the most intriguing construction in chiffon — retaining a sense of modernity and simplicity through the use of monochrome colors and light fabrics. The off-shoulder look was spotted in many ways, in the traditional style of one long and one bare arm and as a peek a boo slit. The trend works best for summer evenings or at a port under a warm sun and sandy beaches — it was evident how Kristina always has fun delivering the goods!

Marchesa 
It was playful and relaxed yet daring and sporty taking over the runway as finale on the opening day of the fashion week with an elegant selection of evening wear including floor-grazing gowns awestricken with three-dimensional floral appliques, layers of tulle, long beaded fringe and incredible embellishments, it was all about luxe! It was signature Marchesa but with a burst of colour and on a night where most designers would prove to be least impressive, it was by far the most well done collection. The gowns to die for!

Antonio Marras
Blue here, Magenta there, silver here and yellow there paired with the black brocade; Antonio featured his men and women’s wear collection with overcoats, skirts enriched by floral brooches, embroideries and lace dresses with the Midas touch accompanied by men’s suits with ruffles shirts and sartorial details. Gotta love the grey self-check suit in this monochromatic ensemble! 

Bruno Caruso
This Italian Fashion House presented the palatial evening wear sophisticated and bellowing the Italian signature featuring hand embossed flowers with Swarovski applications and feathered sleeves dominating the runway. High fashion moment, sexy backs, well framed glitzy earrings, the vertiginous heels, arms toting handbags, the designer clutches, big business and glitterati in the real sense of the world. Bruno’s showcase was a step ahead from the chiffon organza and just glittery accents seen on the runway at home.

Ingie Chalhoub
Inspired by the union of Arab tradition and Parisian chic, the collection featured romantic silhouettes with a touch of late 70s sophistication as models elegantly strolled on the runway in floor-length skirts, silk shirts with oversized bows, floral jacquard dresses with ruffled details and metallic evening gowns. It was a collection at the final day of the fashion week that received a resounding applause from the audience for its instant appeal. In a society and fashion steeped in every gathering, creations like Ingie Chalhoub will always be en vogue. That said, while there was nothing that hadn’t been done before, the clothes were very well made at least.

Rad Hourani
True to his aesthetic, his Dubai show was conceptually complex but structurally clean: square necklines, skirts layered over pants, and matte black shades in sharp contrast against uncoiffed hair. His unisex appeal to the clothes was palpably infusing the two anatomies and creating one neutral unisex pattern in spades of grey and black. Nothing else needed to complete the look. Fashion doesn’t get cleaner than this.