STORIES FROM ARABIA

Stories From Arabia takes over the ballroom at Café Royal to indulge London in Middle Eastern
culture, fashion and musings.
Saturday 14th September – 8:30pm
Stories From Arabia is the largest platform encompassing elite fashion designers from Arabia during
London Fashion Week. Founded by Jalila Elmastouki, Stories from Arabia’s vision is to highlight and
expose the incredible work of designers from Arabia. Four designers from The Middle East take the
global stage at London Fashion Week to showcase their intricate collections rich in traditional
techniques, bold with the colours of their region and an overall ode to their roots. After four
successful editions, Stories From Arabia continue to create diversity within the London Fashion
Week. Designers were featured in leading international magazines such as VOGUE magazine,
Harper’s Bazaar, HOLA magazine, STYLE magazine and more.
1MOR Kuwait:
1Mor SS20 unveils Ruby Garden, a representation of an exotic Royal spring in India among the
sumptuous palaces and vast peacock gardens of the maharajas. It is in these curated yet natural
surroundings where the balance of Yin & Yang energies flow together in harmony.
The elegance of 1Mor SS20 collection is epitomised through shimmering stones and metals, as well
as embroidery, all applied using traditional, hand-worked techniques.
The rare and beautiful white peacock nests deep into the ethos of 1Mor. Designers Amal
Alfares and Amardeep Bawa have chosen the graceful bird as the emblem for the brand which has
found in Lab/Nine London a welcoming home.
The name translates from Hindi to ’1 peacock’ and was born out of a fascination with the colours and
patterns visible on the peacock’s feathers. This captivation is replicated and transmitted through the
intricate designs and finely woven fabrics of the 1MOR brand.
Since it’s inception in January 2018, 1MOR has been exclusively sold in Lab/Nine. As of summer
2019, 1MOR has been displayed in Lab/Nine’s new location in Walton Street.
From the release of the SS20 Collection the brand intends to target a more international audience.
Nora Al Abdullah Kuwait:
Harnessing and showcasing the power of the bee is the aim of Nora Al Abdullah Kuwait’s collection,
Save the Bee!
Nora’s dresses are handmade from natural fabrics such as luxurious silks in tones of black, gold and
olive green. Paired with stripes, these colours are integral to the execution of Nora’s designs as they
typify the physicality of the bee. The brand’s timeless designs are composed of sheath, mermaid,
and trumpet style dresses with an emphasis on comfort for the wearer.
The fact that the fragility of the planet and our environment can be safeguarded by the tiny bee lies
at the heart of Nora’s collection. Her dresses, although intricately and delicately made exude the
strength and importance of the bee in nature.
This will be Nora’s inaugural fashion week. To display her collection during London Fashion Week is
an honour for her. In her words “a door has been opened to represent myself to the world”.
The black pearl Qatar:
The Black Pearl Qatar unveils Al Lulu, an amalgamation of the abaya and western culture. Drawing
on the rich and intriguing heritage of the abaya Al Lulu has reinvigorated the traditional garment
with shades of black, silver, peach and white.
Al Lulu which means pearl in Arabic, is indicative of the luxurious and traditional roots at the heart of
Black Pearl Qatar’s brand. Utilising the bisht cut, the classic abaya pattern, Al Lulu stays true to
Arabic heritage. Combined with the pearly hues of silver, white and peach the Al Lulu abaya is
touched with an air of opulent modernism.
Taking the abaya to London Fashion Week, Al Lula proves that modest and conventional fashion can
be just as creative and freeing as contemporary clothing.
Haifa Al Sudairi ( Saudi Arabia)
Haifa Al Sudairi debuts the collection “Reach To The Sky” which is inspired by the nature of London.
The contrasting colours of baby blue hues and jet black represent the day and night sky of summer
over Hyde Park. The structured silhouettes of the collection echoes the contemporary architecture
of England’s capital.
Incorporating luxury materials such as silk, chiffon and taffeta results in Haifa’s designs exuding a
sense of fantastical luxury. Modern silhouettes paired with these sumptuous fabrics invokes the
designer’s roots in Saudi Arabia. Haifa’s bespoke clothing is the epitome of delicacy and femininity.
Samira Alhalawani Saudi Arabia
Freedom and Joy by Samira Alhalawani is inspired by the Saudi woman who feels empowered after
the new laws which allows her to conquer the world such as driving. The new women of Saudi
Arabia express their joy and happiness through their newfound sense of freedom.
The yellow and grey palette of the collection signals the triumph and joy the women of Saudi Arabia
are currently experiencing, while not neglecting their past and their fight for rights and recognition.
An appreciation for luxury and boldness is represented through the crepe and chiffon fabric, expertly
cut using A-line and trumpet patterns. Samira has succeeded in creating upscale garments for the
women who recognises her right to shake off her shackles and live free.