House of Middle East and Asia – written by Alex Baker

With it being their second season at London Fashion Week, the House
of MEA came back to Fashion Scout at Freemasons Hall with beautiful
prints and accessories to give us a sparkle of the Middle East.

Felix Bendish: Reflections

Mumbai based designer, Felix Bendish was the first of two designers
to showcase for MEA with his collection, “Reflections” which was
compiled of block colours of greys, blacks and deep blues, which framed
the bright, giant jewelry that hung from the models necks like giant
mirrors. This was to make you look back at yourself and see the skewed
reflection from convex mirrors and learn to laugh at yourself once in a
while and not take yourself too seriously. A thing a lot of us Londoners
forget sometimes.

Bendish’s aesthetic seems to be minimal yet when you pair it with
something outlandish, it makes an evenly proportioned look of excess and
simplicity.

Rocky Star: Nomadic Love

Starting the Label back in 1995, Rocky star has been styling and
designing for over 300 films and had his pieces worn by the likes of
Beyonce, Paris Hilton and Nicole Scherzinger.

The element of Luxury is inherent in the choice of fabrics and
design. The print used in this collection is well thought out by using
symmetry, feathers and jewels without looking “too much”, as the colour
palette is subtle enough to pull it off. This is then tied together with
Bollywood showing a heavy influence with the gold dresses with gold
coins cascading in rows all the way down the fabric.

Using a lot of tailoring to add structure, especially in the coats
and skirts creates a flattering silhouette for the model, adding some
control and sophistication to the design since the fabrics and prints
that are used are quite mixed. Experience, nature, careful curating and
well though out styling make these looks metropolitan, modern and
wearable by all.

This cohesive collection shows London how The Middle East put a lot
of thought in to their fashion, and how what we see as costumes in film
is properly represented in their actual fashion aesthetic.