DDFC, the Dubai Design and Fashion Council, is a government-run membership programme supporting and promoting design business in the UAE to thrive. Alongside FAD, the Dubai Fashion Institute for luxury, DDFC presented a show at Fashion Scout AW18 by an emerging label called Dee by Dalia at Freemason’s Hall.
Dee by Dalia, a concept clothing brand by Dalia El Ali, designing vintage inspired garments for those with personality and individuality, showcased an A/W 18 collection of womenswear looks in a colour palette of peaches and cream, soft beige, faded mustard and millennial pink. Many pieces featured cutaway detailing, such as high slits in wide leg trousers, long ties on jacket sleeves and low backs on dresses and tops.
The collection was eclectic, bringing together clashing fabrics like tweed, sequins and printed jersey with ruffles and ruching, all structured into highly feminine silhouettes and shapes. Some garments, like biker jackets and bombers, were adorned with ‘#metoo’ and ‘#timesup,’ the current political statements of our time.
Key looks included a sheer black dress with a harnessed bodice and long body-tight sleeves, as well as a draped a-line shirt dress in luminescent magenta sequin fabric that caught the light beautifully in the grand hall. Hair and make-up was equally glam, with pink cream eyeshadow, metallic grey lipstick and glowing skin styled with softly quiffed and tousled hair.
By Ruth MacGilip. Images shot for us by Hannah Gordon-Smith.
Dee by Dalia was created by Dalia El Ali who is from Lebanese -Palestinian origins, Dalia El Ali grew up in the United Arab Emirates. The designer always had a passion for fashion and decided to follow her dream and study Fashion Design in London College of Fashion in 2013.