Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XIX

1 9 9 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I "Fashion is a family too," said Gabbana, making this idea clear in the collection. "This is a fashion show without fashion," he added. This was a collection that reassured with the familiar and avoided the groundbreaking, but it was far from a disappointment. There was the expected, such as a three-piece suit in black brocade, some artfully distressed denim, an embroidered sweatshirt, and a graphic tee. It did not ignore the importance of comfort, however, with tweeds, jersey pants, pyjamas, lounge suits, rubber Wellington boots, and shoes that appeared to be a sophisticated take on pony-skin clogs. Even the more ornate pieces – such as the bullion-braided and the extravagantly embroidered – focused on the notion of family. Throughout the collection were the appliqués ‘Amore,’ ‘Famiglia’ and ‘Love Forever’. As well as the usual, beautiful tailored suits – made of lace, velvet or brushed wool this time – and the luxe pony-hair coats in shades of burgundy or green, were designs with more personal connotations that came from the heart. Tops came printed with black and white family photos, with the hashtag #DGfamily stamped on the back of the collars. Jackets featured gilded crowns and bees, which could quite possibly have been a family crest, while tops became walking statements of love with three-dimensional messages embroidered into the fabric.