The Middle East goes Far East

Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) Spring 2015 started this afternoon Starch foundation show. Each season this Lebanese fashion incubator selects a group of emerging designers for a catwalk presentation. These gen-next designers, all retail from STARCH boutique in Beirut. This year three labels took to the ramp, La Terre Est Folle, Mira Hayek, Nour Jayem (pictured below). And they were all inspired by the Orient, but each interpreted Far-Eastern style from a different point of view.

Starting with La Terre Est Folle, a label started by 27 years Beirut based designer Joe Arida. This clothes and furniture designer infused shirts and pinstripes with kimonos and the obi belt. He combined European sartorial style with Far Eastern chicness. Wallpaper like prints, reminded you that the designer also has flair for decor. His use of Oriental brocades was clean, sophisticated and contemporary. Models walked barefoot adding a casual ease to this Spring Summer collection.

Next up was Nour Najem also from Beirut patchwork and basket weaves spoke of origami. Woven and rope belts along with robe dresses, gave it a feel of mode Arabic mode. A strong use of rusts, Nour's collection was about a more Middle Eastern take on Oriental fashion.

Finally was Mira Hayek, a collection in black and white this was sporty chic. Mesh, culottes and tracksuit styled trousers, this more about Japanese modern style- as Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto, Commes des Garcon, Juyna Watanbe are all known for their love of referencing sport based styles in their collection.So it seems that for now young Lebanese designers are looking to their orient for their inspiration for Spring/Summer 2016.

• UAE
• Style In The City