As high-fashion content fills my Instagram and TikTok feeds, I’ve discovered a group of exceptionally talented designers from various backgrounds whose creations bring a sense of joy infused with culture.
Some are new faces to the scene, while others are well-established in the opulent Arab wedding culture. These designers run labels that specialize in everyday wear and have cultural elements of their personal history woven into them.
Here are five fashion designers that have been on my feed lately.
- Rami Kadi
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Rami Kadi is a haute couture house of Lebanese origins. Kadi is a Lebanese-American designer who centers his designs around fabulous rococo and baroque-inspired silhouettes that reflect the grandeur of the 17th-century French court.
His designs are filled with bejewelled embroidery that decorates the tailored bodices of silk pleated skirts. It reminds me of a very princessy version of Schiaparelli; both brands have tastes that lean into architectural symmetry and sculptural tailoring.
Kadi has recently incorporated the trending bow silhouette into his designs as well and manages to turn the seemingly juvenile symbol into a statement of youthful luxury.
- MAQUINN
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Similar to Rami Kadi, MAQUINN is a haute couture house of Indonesian origins. This brand, on the other hand, distinctively incorporates Indonesian Batik styles into its haute couture ensembles.
A short trip to the company’s Instagram page reveals its gorgeous campaigns flooded with jewel tones, with models posing in a style reminiscent of ’50s Hollywood glamour.
Dazzling flower appliques are a recurring theme in the sisters’ work at MAQUINN — a hallmark of traditional Indonesian womenswear.
The Asian fashion designer scene remains fiery and frankly unmatched compared to the banal repetitions that frequent most high-Western fashion.
- Aleen Sabbagh
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On the other hand, Aleen Sabbagh is a self-defined luxury lifestyle label whose seamless and elegant take on the drop-waist silhouette is what had me enraptured.
With clientele flaunting her dresses as high-profile wedding guests, Aleen Sabbagh seems to be a very promising label rising amongst the star-studded legacies of Lebanese fashion houses.
Her style is feminine yet minimalistic, favouring intentional beaded bodices with clean, long skirts.
Overall, it is a beautifully designed brand that I look forward to keeping up with.
- Noranageel Studios
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Noranageel Studios is a fabulous Egyptian brand that creates clothes inspired by desert culture, which is reflected in palm tree embroideries and the sunset hues dyeing their garments.
My first woe when exploring the label was discovering that they don’t yet offer international shipping. This is a shame, although I do have my eyes on the multicoloured Baiadera wool cardigan.
Whenever the brand opens its garments to its eagerly waiting international audience, it would be a pleasure for me to escort its silk blazers and embroidered kaftans straight into my closet.
- Loop Studio
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Loop Studio was founded in Kyoto but is based in Montreal, where a woman uses second-hand kimono silks to create fortune-cookie sling bags.
Although a fashion brand operating on a relatively smaller scale than the others, Loop Studio’s offerings were just too stellar and unique not to add to this list.
In truth, it’s always a pleasure to discover innovation in the Canadian fashion scene. It gets a little repetitive to shop at Oak and Fort, Frank and Oak, Oke and Poke, or whatever else is popular for the moment.
It’s also a good idea to shop Canadian brands as the tensions with the U.S. seem to affect our purchase choices now more than ever!