FFWD Dubai Season 9 | Our Top Trends for FW'17 | The Luxe Diary ذا لوكس داياري

These Are A Few Of Our Favourite Things… | Top Trends For FW17 at FFWD Dubai

As the lights fade on another fabulous Fashion Forward Dubai showcase and the FROW hoppers go back to their day jobs, we’re left with an odd sense of loss. Season nine was the strongest yet with solid showings from new, emerging and well established designers. Despite the horrendous weather (electric thunderstorms, a tsunami of rain- you get the picture) the show most definitely went on… and then some.

The shows felt more epic in scale, the presentations more well-constructed and the talks ever on point, debating issues that transcend the gamut from retailer and buyer to designer and press.

Here we take a look back at top emerging trends we loved…

Slogan Style

A model walks the runway during the Bedouin Presentation.

Although this trend has been circulating for a while, designers such as Cheyma and Bedouin breathed new life into the look this season by softening the edges with fun rather than statement messages. ‘Hardcore’ slogans as presented by Gucci for their SS17 collection became a real talking point, due to its central message around fake and designer knock-offs in the industry. Alessandro Michele addressed the issue head on by spray painting ‘Real Gucci’ across his accessories, just to be sure there was no doubt! At FFWD however, there was a real feeling of whimsy and femininity instead, opting for playful rather than impactful slogans- a great addition to FW17 in our view.

Feathered Friend

A recurring theme throughout Fashion Forward this season, feathered hemlines, accessories, jackets and tops were all showcased at Anaya and Ghain Ghada to great dramatic effect. The beauty of this style is that you can choose the scale you wish to sample the trend; go all out with a statement dress or jacket, or add as an accompaniment through your accessories. We think shoes have great potential for the coming season, or a beautiful clutch bag to complete your overall look.

Do The High-Low Hem

A trend which transcends the fashion scale from casual attire to formal wear, this is something easily incorporated into your next season wardrobe. Whilst beautiful structured gowns reigned supreme at Michael Cinco and Abed Mahfouz, Ghain Ghada offered us a more muted take on the trend with a stripped back collection in a range of styles from trapeze to handkerchief in a lush silk jersey fabric. Whatever your occasion for FW17, the high-low hem will see you through from day to night.

Trainer Talk

RIP, the skyscraper heel. You put up a valiant effort, however you have been upsurged on the catwalk and FROW alike. Never have we seen so many collections teamed with the humble sneaker. Converse and Reebok were the main spots (Emperor collaborated with the latter for their show, so no surprise there) and we have to say the effect was refreshing. There’s something delightfully liberating about styling a pretty frock with a low key trainer! Our appetite for casualwear seemingly will only grow in the coming season if this FFWD is anything to go by.

Peekaboo

Designers were daring this season and we loved them all the more for it. Beautiful lace creations, backless dresses, sheer panelling; the models may have ‘flashed some flesh’ so to speak, but the aim was not to be provocative, the aim was to be alluring. Kristina Fidelskaya showed off thigh high splits teamed with over the knee boots, Amato delighted with lace bodice detailing and Cheyma opted for sheer two pieces thrown over sports bras and skirts.