SimplyAbuDhabi X

S imply Abu Dhabi can barely contain itself until the release of the cinematic visual feast that is The Great Gatsby and we’re clearly not the only ones. Scheduled to hit screens this summer and starring Leonardo Dicaprio, this dramatic romance set in the decadent era of 1920s USA has influenced every fashion label’s collections in some way this season. Hackett may be quintessentially British but it’s taken its styling cue from the Gatsby decade and run with it. A palette of cream, ivory, bone and summer white teamed with shades of tobacco and mocha, set the tone for a reworked era of sophisticated summer dressing. The pieces are created from a natural-look coated cotton drill and trimmed with tan calf leather to complete the essential Gatsby look. Hackett has specialised in this kind of ‘classically inspired but with a modern twist’ tailoring since its inception and has always expertly plundered across every relevant decade and cultural flashpoint. Another era on its roster this season is the French Riviera when artists such as Matisse and Picasso ruled supreme. Reflecting a bohemian, more laidback style of living, the look is layered and worn with languor - think superfine luxury knitwear casually draped over the shoulders. Blazers are worn over shirts or colour blocked with cashmere and cotton blend v-necks and crews, while the Breton stripe top becomes a vital wardrobe staple in knit or jersey. The palette is a mix of vivid colours balanced with muted tones taken from the landscape, which range from vibrant azure and turquoise to subtle lavender, French blue and indigo. Prints also feature heavily, having been revived by Hackett from the archives of British print institution Liberty, while its ‘Boathouse’ look channels the sporting spirit of a preppy bygone era when sportsmanship and the art of dressing up went hand in hand. 1 5 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I