SimplyAbuDhabi XII

2 2 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Restraint is contrasted with volume. Linear silhouettes are accented with bold colours, such as canary (also seen on other catwalks this season) and cobalt, which carries over from its popularity from last season. Fuschia highlights the graphic new geometric motif. Copper highlights lift the fairly monochrome palette, alongside rich, autumnal berry colours. Keen to show that she is master of fluid lines as much as bodycon, this season is looser, more easy going. Regardless, as always, Victoria’s lines are neat. Slits take the place of sleeves to release arms and show a hint of the leg. Pleats are included for movement. Panelling adds structure and shape while shoulders are rounded to soften the edges. The mainstay pencil skirt of which Mrs B is so fond remains, using zips to trace the figure at the back, teamed with gilet wrap-around coats, tailored evening capes and sporty, gossamer-light bomber jackets. A chink removed from one asymmetric skirt curves up a thigh to reveal a cheeky hint of the pleated white underskirt. It’s not all skin-tight. Easy-to-wear cropped trousers are included, worn with elegant spaghetti strap tops and enhanced with ruffled detail. “I'm a perfectionist,” she laughed backstage, going into detail about the importance of the sleeves, the pleats and the colour this season. The collection seems very much geared at the thinking fashionista. One who would read books and watch art house films as much as trawl the boutiques for the ultimate eveningwear. Best of all, she’s not lost any of her personality. It would be easy to imagine each and every piece on VB herself (not least because she really does when papped out and about anyway). It’s evolutionary, it’s London and it looks fabulous.