Simply Abu Dhabi XI

2 2 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Unusually for fashion houses, Vilebrequin operates a High Summer/Autumn collection, typically breaking the mould. This collection by Zaza de Brito, noted Italian designer and spearhead at Vilebrequin for more than 15 years, takes us to the heart of Southern Africa. Namibia is the muse. Endless red deserts, safari wildlife, wild and contrasting landscapes. The colours and prints of the upcoming season reflect the hues and spirit – the brick red Kalahari Desert, the ochre of the Namib desert, the blue shades of the Atlantic Ocean that stretches out from the country’s West coast and the deep, inky shades of the dizzy canyons. Animals from Etosha Natural Park such as gazelles, lions, zebras, ostriches and elephants prevail. New printing techniques were developed especially to cater for the candid photo-realistic animal etchings and raw rock-painting style sketches that evoke the many thousands found in the caves of the Brandberg massif. The proud lion’s bust cuts a striking figure that will set its wearer out from the crowd on the beach. Naïve drawings of a father and son enjoying beach time is sure to tug at the female buyer’s heart strings, while the grazing gazelle in hues of blue will appeal to a more sophisticated wearer. The elephant design incorporates all the colours de Brito captured in Namibia and blends them into a camouflage pattern stamped with African elephants. Red zebras printed on a navy background is perhaps the most fun, and typical of the Vilebrequin vein. The range has expanded to include beach and holiday accessories. The gilet printed with zebra on a champagne-coloured background is sure to be a hit, as is the fedora-style hat with camouflage trim to match the elephant-themed shorts. Smart, beach-bar worthy shirts have been included in the collection in muted, stylish shades of sage and ochre. Each year Zaza – christened Isabel – de Brito conceives of almost 70 designs for the shorts, organised around the 4 motifs that are so precious to the brand: flowers, rays, fruits and animals. It has resulted in a collection of more than 300 pieces in a variety of cuts and colours so that everyone can find his own Vilebrequin, and with the addition of a new sunglasses line, an expanded sportswear collection for spring, and plush beach bombers, odds are they’ll continue to lead the pack for years to come. “Our ultimate mission is to move our brand from a pure swimwear brand to one that is a global dominating brand in luxury resort wear,” explains de Brito. “This involves introducing iconic items that complement swimwear. And of course, providing the consumer a Côte d’Azur lifestyle experience is essential.”