The amount of talented fashion designers who are from Beirut, Lebanon is high. Which makes me wonder… maybe I should move to Beirut, there might be something in the air or water which turns these people into gifted fashion designers…right?
Article written by The Fashion Orientalist for www.thefashionorientalist.com and wetrendstyle.com
Bashar Assaf
Bashar Assaf is an ESMOD fashion school alumni who, just like his equally talented – fellow countrymen Rami Kadi and Hussein Bazaza, was chosen as one of the Starch Foundation’s designers. The Starch Foundation, founded by noted designer Rabih Kayrouz and Tala Hajjar, supports young Lebanese designers in their quest to make it big in the world of fashion. Bashar produced three collections as a Starch Foundation designer and launched two of three during Fashion Forward Dubai. Bashar was recently nominated for ‘Best Upcoming Designer’ by the Elle Style Awards and this year he will launch his first menswear collection, which will also be his first collection outside the Starch umbrella.
Hallucinations
Bashar Assaf launched his spring-summer 2014 collection named ‘Hallucinations’ during season 2 of Fashion Forward Dubai. The idea behind his collection ‘Hallucinations’ is:
’’seeing something in front of you that is not actually there, like watching television. Television static, noise and glitches are used to represent the state of mind of someone in the process of hallucinating. The prints distort the volumes of the garments, while the cuts and layers seem to play mind tricks with the viewer’’
Favorites
…The result is a creative collection with a color palette that includes different shades of blue combined with white and grey. Blue is one of THE shades for this spring-summer which makes this collection a must-have. Bashar uses geometry to challenge the female body, yet he manages to accentuate and compliment the female form with his creative designs. I really like the creative cuts and layers, it gives it an out of this world – sci-fi look. This modern collection includes a few highlights which I have added to the gallery. My favorite from this collection is a pair of wide trousers with bold, blue print combined with a grey/white top with a sexy, deep v-neck. It is a stunning ensemble I would love to add to my spring wardrobe! Another favorite is a sexy, silk jumpsuit with butterfly sleeves. The long evening gown looks like a sci-fi version of an Elie Saab ready-to-wear gown, I really love the front detail! The final two looks from the gallery are perfect to wear on a resort-style holiday. The maxi-gown with bold print made from light, flowy fabrics is a summer showstopper. The maxi-skirt with an Angelina Jolie style, thigh-high split is very sexy. Conclusion: Bashar Assaf has designed yet another stunning collection! In april Bashar will showcase his Fall 2014 ready-to-wear collection during season 3 of Fashion Forward Dubai followed by the release of his menswear line soon after. I look forward to seeing both collections on the runway!
Check out his past collections on basharassaf.com
