Beirut, October 28, 2016 – Ushering in the new autumn and winter trends, the world’s biggest fashion houses flaunted their looks on the catwalk on Friday at the exclusive Mastercard Aïshti Fashion Experience Beirut 2016. This annual open-air runway show is Lebanon’s most influential fashion event, and this year, which also marked the first year anniversary of Aïshti by the Sea, was no exception as A-list guests lined the front row. The 14 models graced the gleaming white 40-metre runway, which began from the Aïshti Foundation’s distinctive red, geometric façade and led to the stage, where a live band was set against the expansive view of the city’s glittering skyline and sea. For women, the new season’s motifs came to life with playful pairings: fur coats were matched with smart tops and button-down skirts, gold dresses with cardigans, long, flowing ensembles, dresses, or bell bottoms paired with dazzling headbands and accessories, trousers with cropped sweater tops, and sober frocks with slick thigh-high leather boots. There were statement pieces too, such as Chloé’s full-length leather V-cut dress, a figure- hugging, Chantilly lace Alessandra Rich dress with an elaborate Chinese braid across the front, and a sleek, black jumpsuit by Brandon Maxwell, which closed the show. The colour palette was broad and included both rich reds, shiny copper and silver tones and softer hues in lilac or pale blue. Patterns were ultra-contemporary across collections in geometric cuts, stripes, bold, graphic prints, and cropped tank sweaters. The menswear collections came in a range of casual cool, from beige trousers combined with V-necks and navy jackets to light grey or charcoal suits and scarves. Dressed in forty-eight key season looks from Milan, Paris, London and New York, the models wore outfits from Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, Emilio Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Fendi, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giambattista Valli, Gucci and other high-end brands. In a special visit this year, internationally renowned artists Andrew Barton and Ruby Hammer, from Urban Retreat Harrods, who came especially for the Urban Retreat Beauty Week Festival, added their skillful touch to the show with their creative direction of the models’ hair and make-up. And for the women, this included loose buns to complement vibrant make-up, while the men wore their hair either subtly slicked or lightly tousled. After the last model strutted down the catwalk, Aïshti owner and CEO Tony Salamé appeared on the runway to welcome everyone to the annual show, and Aïshti by the Sea’s
first anniversary celebration. Mr. Salamé also announced winners of raffle prizes from Aïshti, Mastercard, Bank Audi, Global Blue, Samsung and Air France. All guests entered a draw for three Aïshti shopping vouchers worth $2,500 (two by Global Blue and one by Mastercard) as well as gifts by Samsung, namely, Samsung S7 Flat and Edge mobile phones and Gear S2 Classic and Sport watches, and by Air France, comprising two Premium Economy round-trip tickets from Beirut to Paris. Two additional $2,500 Aïshti vouchers were also offered exclusively to Mastercard and Aïshti Bank Audi Mastercard cardholders. Mrs. Randa Bdeir, Group Head of e-payment Solutions and Card Services at Bank Audi, said on this occasion: “We are pleased to collaborate with Aïshti on the Fashion Experience, which attests for the 7th year that Beirut is truly the fashion capital of the Middle East. This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our cardholders’ interest in the latest fashion trends, and since we always aim at rewarding loyal customers, we have jointly worked on revamping the Aïshti Platinum credit card by offering exceptional and exclusive services tailored to fit their lifestyle.” In conjunction, Aïshti has launched its Loyalty programme, which features the Orange and Black cards that provide numerous benefits including gift vouchers and discounts. Basel El Tell, Mastercard’s Market Manager for the Levant, also said, “We are pleased to support this unique fashion event that gives Beirut’s most stylish shoppers the fantastic opportunity to stay up to date on all the new and upcoming fashion trends. Aïshti’s co- branded Bank Audi Platinum Mastercard credit card helps make the experience all the more rewarding with exclusive privileges like a 10% discount on all purchases made using the card, complimentary access to VIP airport lounges across the Middle East and North Africa, free subscription to A Magazine and L’Officiel Levant, the chance to win a $500 gift voucher, a 4% gift voucher twice a year, home delivery for purchases over $4,000 in value, advanced notifications to private sales and promotions, and much more.” After the show, guests sipped on their delectable cocktails and enjoyed a buffet of hors d’oeuvres as well as artist Gabriel Kuri’s newest installation and the Good Dreams, Bad Dreams: American Mythologies exhibition at the Aïshti Foundation.
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