It was to great applause that Alek Wek walked out to in opening the show of the DAS Collection. Wearing an outfit of pure gold, it set the scene for the rest of the pieces to follow. Comprised of flowing silks and luxurious fabrics, the elegance of the Middle East fused with Indian influence in their ready-to-wear S/S13 collection.
With a colourful, rich palette making its way down the catwalk, fabrics billowed behind the models and sashed belts made for feminine silhouettes. Garments featured embroidered Arabic calligraphy in a collection that took inspiration from high society Dubai and Mumbai. The hair and make-up was well in keeping with the aesthetic they had set. Elaborate gold jewellery hung from ears and covered the models hands whilst the hair styling re-enforced that Middle Eastern style.
Founded in 2008, the DAS Collection label is run by sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla. Their aim is to dress women in accordance to the traditions of their Islam faith at the same time as being fashion-forward in their style. With beautiful tailoring empowering the confidence of women, yet retaining the conservativeness within the design, they well and truly kept within that aim. With a walk out from the two sisters after the last piece, accompanied by Wek, the show started, continued and concluded, on a high.
Text by Josh Walker, (@josh_walker_)
Images by Rebecca Andrews