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Now, fashion under water

The ocean-inspired show will feature 10 female divers from Atlantis, The Palm, who have volunteered to display Emirati-influenced long, flowing gowns in the large aquarium. Online invite-only fashion portal, Sukar.com, has tied up with AUE for the show by selling the outfits in the collection exclusively on their store. The fashion show is the brainchild of Dr Franziska Apprich, Assistant Professor of the university’s Communications and Mass Media for the last two months. “AUE collaborates with Sukar.com frequently. The idea to have an underwater fashion show struck me during one of our meetings held at Atlantis. It’s an innovative approach to fashion, as well as a unique way of promoting the university,” Dr Apprich told Khaleej Times. Unlike normal fashion shows situated on runways, the underwater show needs to take a lot of aesthetic factors into consideration, according to Dr Apprich.

“Colour choices needed to be considered. For example, red shows up as brown under water, while yellow appears brighter and more luminescent,” she added. The models are to be outfitted in dramatically long gowns and elaborate wigs over their scuba gear, with handmade masks disgusing their underwater goggles. “We’re going for a highly theatrical under-the-sea theme, invoking romantic, other-worldly images of mermaids and sea creatures,” Dr Apprich said.

While fashion design students are to provide the couture, media students are expected to document the entire show and handle its publicity on social media platforms. “It’s a huge learning experience for our students. One that hopefully captures the imagination of the public, as well,” according to Dr Apprich. The show is scheduled for December 8.—praseeda@khaleejtimes.com

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