International Lebanese designer Abed Mahfoz tells City Times that a blend of the East and the West is what is in vogue these days in the international market
According to you, what was the secret behind the success of your latest collection?
I think what worked was that my latest collection is a blend of the East and the West. Besides that the mixing of colours and the variety in the dress cuttings also did the trick.
Your latest collection has some striking colours. Tells us what are the colours of 2005?
Red, green, orange, turquoise, rose, burning pink, yellow, the natural colours and brown.
Embroidery is back with a vengeance it seems. It is a central part of your collection.
Embroidery enhances the look of the dress. Without it any dress would look ordinary.
What aspect of the woman is your latest creation targeted at?
It is meant for all the sensitive women who are looking for that something special in their outfits.
Why the need to blend the East and the West in your collection?
I have to keep a track of the changing international trends. It benefits my designs immensely. And moreover, women these days love mixing and matching.
Wedding dresses are also an important part of this year’s collection. What are the new styles this year?
There are a lot of new cuts this season, like the Princess cut, straight cut and tail cut. The style depends on the bride’s taste and her body.
How are women designers different from their male counterparts when it comes to designing?
We have a lot of talented female designers, but I think sometimes men have the special ability to bring out the most beautiful aspect in a lady and hide her drawbacks.
How important are accessories in dressing?
Accessories are important but they should not be loud.
What do you have to say to all those who say fashion will come to an end one day?
I just have to say that fashion will never come to an end since women will never stop dreaming. Every woman has her own taste and it should reflect in the kind of clothes she wears. I would also like to remind women that they should not forget the importance of being graceful.
You have visited Dubai very often. What do you have to say about the fashion scene here?