It is wonderful when seemingly unrelated worlds collide. These latest beautiful collections have been inspired by a variety of collaborations. From barbiecore hitting the runway in a collab with Jean Louis Sabaji Collaboration and Lil Kim serving as a muse for Mackage’s collection of timeless streetwear designs to Pacsuns iconic fashion-meets-art spectacle with the Met giving fashion new perspectives and definitions.
Enough pink? Never. The Barbie Doll X Jean Louis Sabaji Collaboration
Credit: images courtesy of Jean Louis Sabaii
It goes without saying that pink has dominated the fashion world, being a plethora of designers’ colour of choice this year. As Aerosmith’s lead singer Stephen Tyler once crooned, “Pink, it’s not even a question”- and it certainly was not at Arab Fashion Week in Dubai where everyone’s favourite childhood doll, Barbie unveiled a pink-tastic collaboration with Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji during his runway.
In the days leading up to the event, nobody could stop talking about the much-anticipated collection that he created in collaboration with Barbie. He is, after all, the first Middle Eastern designer to collaborate with Mattel.
Jean Louis Sabaji, who is now also the first ever Arab designer to collaborate with the iconic doll, presented a spring/summer 2023 capsule collection that was motivated by the colour pink as well as self-expression.
“My first-ever fashion experience was with a Barbie doll, and as a child, I used to dress them. I still have the dresses I made for them. There were around five, — I can’t believe that on the 10-year anniversary of my brand, I’m doing a collaboration with them. It’s like going back to my childhood dream,” Sabaji told Arab News.
Credit: images courtesy of Jean Louis Sabaii
Presenting his Barbie-inspired designs on a lineup of size-inclusive models in celebration of the “beauty and strength of women.”Ameni Esseibi, the first curvy model from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, opened the show in a sequinned bright pink top with Barbie branding and a tiered skirt made of black feathers.
More feathers followed in an abundance of pink, just one example: a pink top in the shape of an enormous heart that explodes with ostrich feathers. The silhouettes were, as a whole, light and playful, from large flowing plumes functioning as conceptual sleeves to softer twirls that wisped down the garments. Throughout the show, cutouts in the shape of hearts were used frequently. They ran down each side of tailored trousers and served as pocket detailing on a pink floor-length dress with power shoulders. Sporty barbie was definitely in the air influencing some of the garments displayed. How else does one explain the sheer varsity jacket or the stretchy bodysuit paired with a ballgown skirt complete with stretchy gloves?
Feathers and sequins were the featured styles throughout the impulsive pink and black collection, as were hearts, providing mischievous touches as bodices, crafted into hanging necklines and plunging backs, and as cut-out particularisation and patches. There was additionally an outsized carved heart dress and a fluffy heart-shaped top, paired with Barbie pink trousers with cut-out detailing down the side.
Of course, no barbie collection is complete without floor-sweeping evening gowns and form-fitting numbers with the famous sultry thigh-high splits. The collection also saw dazzling cocktail dresses and a beautiful pink strapless dress with an oversized bow.
“It’s the Real Deal, and So Am I”: Lil’ Kim Models for Mackage
Credit: Image courtesy of Mackage website
The trendsetting rapper is the new face of the Canadian luxury outerwear brand. Mackage’s goal has always been to produce outerwear that strikes a balance between fashion and function. Golesic was appointed last summer ahead of the company’s plans to expand its retail presence outside the US to the likes of Paris, London, Milan, and Tokyo, as part of its growth strategy.
Even though Lil’ Kim is well-known all over the world, the Brooklyn native still dresses like a New Yorker as she describes her approach to fall fashion to the magazine Vanity Fair “I wear a lot of blacks all year long, so not many changes. Just more layers and textures. Up the glam factor.”
The luxury brand is displaying a brand new debut monogram line consisting of timeless pieces, and you guessed it, the collection compromises monogrammed garments in blacks and neutral tones.
In the campaign shot by Drew Vickers and styled by Malina Joseph Gilchrist, the trendsetting rapper captures that effortlessly chic wear essence, modelling in a figure-skimming bodysuit.
“It feels right, you know. This brand is growing so quickly now, but it had to come up year by year building its credibility because people genuinely loved the crazy quality, style, and dramatic fit,” she explains. “It’s the real deal, and so am I.”
Kim’s era-defining and no-holds-barred sense of style is the result of a combination of self-assurance and creative expression
Eran Elfassy, the company’s founder and chief creative director first launched Mackage in 1999. He chose Kim to be the brand’s new face because of everything she has stood for ever since her 1996 album, Hard Core, made hip-hop history as the album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time.
“There was a synergy culturally and from a nostalgic perspective,” Elfassy said in a press release. “Kim has always created iconic powerful looks, and there is power in the way she represents herself.”
A fashion-forward emcee, who has been credited with popularizing all sorts of trends from pasties, to neon furs, and the ever so popular all-over logo garments. Being a fearless force in fashion, it’s no surprise the rapper is a muse for Mackage’s designer.
“Early days I worked with Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, and Marc Jacobs, and I still look to these icons as influences. With Mackage now, I just really relate to their mix of streetwear and fashion sensibilities,” Kim says.
Pacsun launches collection with The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Credit: Image courtesy of Pacsun
Fine art is at the centre of Pacsun’s innovative upcoming capsule collection in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
In the ‘The Study of Fine Arts: Highlights from The Met Reimagined by Pacsun’ capsule, Pacsun combines fine art with fashion. The capsule includes 30 staple pieces for the autumn season from sweaters and t-shirts to hats and socks.
The capsule is inspired by late 19th-century paintings in the Met collection, where florals and lush landscapes are paired with muted tones seen in Tiepolo and Latour, as well as more vibrant floral paintings in shades of green by Van Gogh. The collection depicts the beauty of simplicity and intricate details within a juxtaposition of fine art and modernized clothing.
Using unique knit and woven fabrications, each piece of artwork is directly applied to the designs.
In a statement made by Pacsun’s director, Brieane Olson said:
“The arts continue to be important to our consumers and community, and partnering with such an iconic museum that has resonance in the fashion world, felt like a natural collaboration for us. We were grateful that several of The Met’s most notable and important works were made available to us for this collection.
— It’s undeniable that the past has a weighted influence on fashion, and Pacsun, together with global licensing agency Beanstalk, wanted to highlight the rich history of The Met through a merchandise and apparel collection that would celebrate that history. The collection consists of styles fit for anyone to wear, allowing consumers to outfit themselves in the art that shaped, and is still shaping our culture.”
This creative collaboration brings to life Pacsun’s unique artistic vision. As a result of this inspiring collection, consumers will be able to experience art in a new manner, combining it with self-expression and their own unique style.
Select Pacsun stores will feature whitespaces themed around the capsule in celebration of the collaboration.
Credit: courtesy of Pacsun
Words by Chanelle Jassim
Header Graphics by Arundhati Das
