As a member of the Advisory Board of Fashion Trust Arabia, Reem Akra can often be found traveling to the Middle East. The organization’s annual event is an exciting moment for the Lebanese-born designer, who visits the countries she frequented as a young woman, and describes her visits as “cheerful, glamorous and regal.” Over the years, he has also developed quite a clientele in the region, which is why his latest collection was dedicated to them.
From the first fall, ACRA’s main mission was to emphasize the universality of its collection. In Qatar (where the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards were held this year), women are required to cover their bodies from shoulders to knees. So the designer had quite modest gowns, some with a light touch of menswear that included sharp pointed collars and cummerbund-inspired waist bands. As always, pearl embellishments can be found throughout.
Summer is known for being extremely humid in Lebanon, so the designer made his fan-favorite caftan in a new fade-light cloaké fabric, making it even lighter than usual. In shimmering gold and embellished with crystals on the chest, this is a perfect throw-on and go dress. The best part? It comes packaged in a tote bag (Acra promises it’s light!). It was a hit with attendees at the Fashion Trust Awards where she gave it a soft launch on the red carpet. How’s that for understated glamour?
