Simply Abu Dhabi XII

2 0 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I O nly by becoming a full member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture can a brand officially bear the ‘haute couture’ label. Stephane Rolland is one such designer. The long-maned Parisien joined the fashion house Balenciaga at the tender age of 20 and within a year had been promoted to the position of Creative Director of menswear and international licences. At 24 he left Balenciaga to start his own company, a ready- to-wear ‘prêt-à-porter’ house. Now, after a ten-year hiatus in which he worked as artistic designer for another house, he brings to market the first of his 10 annual prêt-à-porter capsule collections. The clothes and accessories are a tour de force and immediately stand out with his timeless sartorial stamp. Rolland is passionate about modern art and architecture, passions which are smartly reflected in the graceful lines of his clothing. Asymmetric capes are signature, worn over flowing, to-the-floor trousers with razor sharp creases and paired with a fitted, sleeveless tank top. Long kaftans, jersey jumpsuits and a series of tuxedos complete the picture. Simple round necks are interspersed with starched Asian collars and slightly lipped polo necks. Ripples of fabric wash elegantly down the back of evening gowns. Layering, gathered drapes and cowl-inspired features add volume to otherwise structured and figure-hugging garments.