Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVI

B i l l i on a i r e Co u t u r e 1 9 2 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Billionaire Couture AUTUMN/WINTER 2014 G iven thememorable history of remarkable, The Billionaire lifestyle is not about the amount of money a man has. It’s about his unique experience, his distinctive style, and his impeccable taste. Billionaire Couture is the luxury, ready-to-wear brand established by Flavio Briatore and produced in collaborationwith the Italian Percassi Group. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Briatore is perhaps the world’s foremost luxury lifestyle entrepreneur, with a host of international nightclubs, beach resorts, and hotels under his Billionaire Life brand. This is a man who understands the high-end lifestyle. But Billionaire Couture is not a mere vanity project for Briatore. Billionaire Couture is just that – serious couture. Through the partnershipwith Percassi, a leading fashion presence for three decades – the sartorial ethos is all about mixing modernity with high fashion with the utmost focus on flawless fit. That is to say, the tailoring is incredibly precise. With superior quality and attention to detail in its ready-to-wear clothing and accessories lines, BillionaireCouture stays loyal to the standards that have distinguished the Made in Italy trademark. Every piece in the Billionaire collection is carefully crafted by Italian artisans each of whom is an expert in his individual field; from the supplest exotic leathers to the finest Italian silks and cottons. Inspired by the imagery and history of themediaeval era, the Autumn and Winter 2014 collection from Billionaire merges together the distinct and diverse cultures of fourteenth century Europe with fourteenth century Asia. Classic and established Billionaire cuts are brought to life with bold colours and striking prints, whilst lively, opulent textures bring a tactile quality to the garments. The rich colour palette draws influence from the stained-glass windows of churches from themiddle ages, with bold reds, blackberry, plum and vermillion adding potency to the mix. Graphical motifs appear with creative subtlety; Asian tigers and oriental influences embellish silk blazers and shirts. Further developing the fourteenth century European influences, Billionaire uses luxurious and intricate brocade as an important fabric that figures foremost throughout the entire collection. Exotic skins and rich furs reflect the collection’s dedication to luxury and style. Bringing a natural organic warmth to an already fascinating and diverse collection, this use of exotic natural materials reflects a brilliant and inspiredmixture of ageless textures that interplay with each other to great effect. Additionally, there are hot red crocodile-skin bomber jackets and weekend bags, python-skin details adorning contemporary puffer jackets, alongside wide fox fur collars on classic cashmere coats. The collection’s mediaeval theme is revisited with signature denim pockets, crests and slippers, embroidered with armoured knights, tigers and dragon motifs. Luxurious knitwear also bolsters the depth of the collection in wool and cashmere mix, which is lined with fur such as fox and chinchilla, once again reinforcing luxury as a sincere companion of limitless style. Across the entire range there are sharp, daring mixtures between various elements; between denim and leather, natural textiles and pattern, formal and relaxed casual wear - all of which balance together to offer genuine wearable style that oozes confidence, class and contemporary charm. In eveningwear, the classic black silk tuxedo takes a bolder turn with a stunning Swarovski hand-embroidered white tiger motif on the lapel and pockets. This brings new verve and power to a well- established and classic garment that perfectly captures the spirit of the Billionaire man. The Billionaire Couture collection bridges the considerable gap between formality and striking, potent high fashion, allowing the discerning wearer to feel confident and bold in all arenas of life.

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