Reem Acra Runway Show Spring 2009--An Enchanted Attic with Exciting Spring Designs

By the time I arrived backstage for Reem Acra's runway show, Creative Nail design was already hard at work on the nails. "Lighten Up" is the word for this show...a pink that's neither too warm not too cool -- an elegant, ladylike, semi-sheer, pink, the color of soft-spun cotton candy.Amanda, from Creative Nail Design, carries pedicure foams in her belt, to keep her hands, free. In her belt she keeps files and other tools, and a bottle of Creative Nail Design Solar Oil. Solar Oil is great for dry skin and nails. It softens cuticles with Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Vitamin E, and it can help remove press-on nails, too. Creative Nail design was present at more than 78 shows this season. They use so much solar oil on the models, that by the end of the week, the girls' nails are actually in better condition than when they started the week. press on nails.




Some designers always bring their beloved pets. Last season I remember Reem Acra's dog, LuLu taking her own walk halfway down the runway. When I arrived a man with AO Production was holding Lulu. When Reem arrived, LuLu ran over to see her, tail wagging so hard it looked like a pennant blowing in a stiff breeze! LuLu adores Reem and I think the feeling is mutual. The relationship between the two of them is true (puppy) love! Note that Lulu is wearing one of the bejeweled belts from the Reem Acra Spring 2009 collection--the best dressed doggie in town!



Great shows, like these mules by Manolo Blahnick, don't need to compete with your toenail color


Hair, by GavinHarwin, channelled several hot looks I've been seeing: half up/half down, braids, and soft versions of a beehive or "chiffon."



This look is young and sexy...a little bit Brigitte Bardot meet bohemian chic--but more smooth and elegant. Hair has texture and shine, but it isn't fussy. Products from Cutler Salon were used.



Makeup artist Polly Osmond did the makeup for M.A.C. and Christoper DelCatsillo, a Senior Makeup Artist for the MAC Pro Team, explained the basic look. This photo really doesn't do the finished look justice. Like so many makeup looks for Spring 2008, this one features a fresh face with very little color, neutral matte skin, and a T-zone kept from getting too shiny, by adding powder down the middle of the face. Shimmery highlighter on cheeks give the face a glowing look. The focal point is is the dramatic brows. There is no mascara and no eye liner in this look--just the model's own pretty coloring. Lips are a natural, cool pink. Smoky eyes are still hot for Spring, but ringed with warmer colors. Lips are nude and colored with flesh tones or light pink, or in bright colors such as day-glo orange, are must-haves for Spring 2009. Moistly matte lip glam or gloss replaces patent-leather shine. Chris explained that many of the runway looks that makeup artists design are meant to be "statement" looks for the show, and not necessarily something that a woman should follow, slave-ishly. As with many of the fashions, the idea is to take a feeling away from the look, but not necessarily try to re-create it. If nude lips in a flesh tone leave you looking pale, try a tone that is more in keeping with your own, natural lip color, and spark it up with gloss, for example.

Details are everything in a beautiful collection like this...but to appreciate them you have to see them close up. The pailettes and jewels and beading made every outfit red-carpet ready.

Many of the designs were loose and flowing, but hardly "casual." There were plenty of embellishments in this collection. Even a simple, taupe cocktail dress gets the pailette treatment and a silken rope belt decorated with crystals (similar to the one LuLu the dog wore as a leash).


I loved the beautiful blue and gold fabric, the red, jeweled shirt, and the golden, embroidered silk coat. Here's how that beautiful blue and gold gown looked on the runway.

Here are more looks from the runway. Reem's inspiration for this collection is an incredible attic hidden away at the top of a royal palace. The hidden "treasures" include "semi-precious stomes amd rich fabrics in a rainbow of colors.. creating a cascade of color and glamour...sweeping you away to a dream ball of a fantasy spring world." This collection is part Bollywood coupled with rich, colorful, elegance. These were delicious, red-carpet looks, but some of the pieces were fairly simple--cocktail dresses and jewelled tunics that could even get a vote from a mother of the bride. Note-able were the beading details, as on the red jacket, the crystal pleated dresses in cheerful colors, and the flowing caftans that are not only figure-forgiving, but elegantly unique in a world of "little black dresses." The colorful mules by Manolo Blahnick in contrasting colors, made each outfit just a bit more of a stand-out.

At the end of the show, Reem Acra came out to take her bow, and brought LuLu with her!

Backstage, celebrity fans Singer Danity Kane and Ashanti (in Reem Acra of course) pose with Reem and Lulu.

All content and photos (unless otherwise specifically marked) --Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. Please feel free to link to this post. For other permissions, email the Advice Sisters advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)net

Reem Acra's Red Carpet Gowns to Relish!

Back in December 2007, I attended Reem Acra's Fall Preview. As with the Spring 2007 collection last season, the emphasis was on the waist, with graceful, flowing, drape-y skirts that make any woman look elegant and "willowy." The program notes reflect the understated elegance of Reem Acra's designs: "the collection represents confidence, modern luxury, and a global sense of belonging." At this Fashion Week, Reem Acra's Fall 2008 collection collection included lots of rich, jewel-toned colors including, mustard, forest green, gold, metallic, grey, chocolate, and a lot of purples (aubergine and purple) and a lot of black plus midnight blue (which looks almost black--but more modern). Silkworms might be wary around Reem Acra--as her beautiful collection for Fall 2008 showcased lots of silk in various, pretty forms: silk taffeta, silk charmeuse, double-faced silk, silk satin, silk with sequins, silk chiffon, and a bit of chinchilla, felt, wood, and metallic fabric. There were one-shoulder, Grecian inspired gowns, coppery silky gowns, a beautiful coat with square metallic studs, and even a tailored evening suit with additional glamour stemming from the shimmery, metallic fabric. These are elegant gowns that will suit women of all personalities. Two of my favorite looks from the collection include this Chinchilla capelet over a wool sheath dress in antique silver, and an elegant silk dress that reminded me a bit of something "Jessica" in who killed Roger Rabbit would wear...elegant, sexy, and showing plenty of curves and leg.

Nails were by Creative Nail Design, the manicurists of the runways this week. Makeup by Polly Osmond for MAC Cosmetics featured dark (but not black) simmering eyes and matte skin. The hair, by Gavin Harwin, featured a textured, long flowing look that is sleek on top, textured on the sides and back to make hair interesting, not just "hanging." This look has been very popular
in many shows this week . At the end of the show, Reem Acra arrived on the runway, beaming, and carrying her adorable, fluffy, little white dog...the perfect accessory for a perfect designer!

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Reem Acra's Ravashing Gowns- Fall 2008 Preview

During SPRING 2007 Fashion Week, Reem Acra offered a stunning collection of mostly special event dresses that would be the envy of any woman. The designer? The very talented Reem Acra. The theme of Spring's collection was"Old Hollywood glam rags, with a "young, modern twist." And, as a surprise finale, the designer came out to talk her bow, and set her tiny, fluffy, white dog onto the runway!



The first week in February marks the FALL 2008 Fashion Week in NYC (and I'll be there, of course) even thought we haven't made it through Winter or Spring yet, but today I battled the throngs of holiday tourists on Fifth Avenue (and a parade of horse carts), to take a first look at the Reem Acra Fall collection.

Festive music played (I picked out a jazzy version of "Sweet Georgia Brown"), as members of the press took photos and walked around the room, taking photos of models, the gowns, and of Reem Acra herself (here she is next to one of her opulent, purple gowns). She was dressed head to toe in black, with a generous helping of glittery necklaces adding a festive touch. Of course anything Reem Acra designs will add a "festive touch!"

As with the Spring collection, the emphasis is on the waist, with few sleeves in sight. Ladies, start toning up nows Even though the waistlines are defined, however, the graceful, flowing skirts are kind to wide hips, helping the wearer to look elegant and "willowy." There was lots of draping, beading, and wrapped bodices. Many of the gowns were in classic black, but there was also "modern" black -- a super-deep version of another color. One I liked is "Blue Night." It looks black, but it's actually, blackened blue. Here, a model ("Karen") is wearing a silk satin strapless gown with embroidered bodice and mermaid skirt in "Blue Night." It's less harsh on Karen's delicate complexion. Other colors in the collection included red, gold metallic, grey,chocolate, jewel green, purples, and an impressive dark teal.

There wasn't a single gown in the collection I personally wouldn't die to own, such as this gorgeous tulle embroidered gown in gold (actually, it was a soft brown) that reminds me of something actress Kate Winslet might have worn in "Titanic;" the the silk chiffon hand-draped bodice with off-shoulder cap sleeve, soft cowl back and embroidered bodice detail in jewel purple that would make all those workouts and diets, worthwhile; or this amazing gold-topped gown. As with the Spring 2007 collection, there were plenty of silky and flowing fabrics in chiffon, satin, taffeta and tulle. Details on special occasion gowns are important, and Reem Acra knows how to please. Details to note in this collection run the gamut from simple to simply decadent. For example:

intricate roses and embroidery. Crystals in delicate patterns that shimmer whenever you move, An empire-style beaded top with a richly encrusted beaded design



My favorite dress in this Fall 2008 collection is the showstopper above, a silk organza embroidered gown in nude black. It reminds me of a dress my (original) Barbie had, called "Solo in the Spotlight." I always thought the doll-sized creation was the stuff of pure fantasy until I saw the dress in this photo. Suddenly what was only a little girl's dream was realized as a woman's object of desire, right in front of my eyes! I can just imagine Jennifer Lopez or Mariah Carey in this gown, can't you?

When you are wearing a unique designer gown, it is the focus. Your hair and makeup need to complement it. Here is model "Simone," in a "Jewel Purple" silk chiffon hand-draped bodice with off-shoulder cap sleeve, soft cowl back and embroidered bodice detail. Her sleek, low ponytail uses her own hair an ornament/wrap. The hair was created by Tasha Jetter for the John Barrett Salon at Bergdorf Goodman. This is a look you can re-create for your own holiday soirees. The makeup was simple and fresh, without deep color, but just enough rose on the lips to make things interesting and romantic, created by James Boehmer for NARS.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/9/07- Reem Acra

How could you not love a designer who sets her tiny, fluffy, white dog onto the runway at the finale? Designer Reem Acra's special occasion and evening gowns were as pretty and perky as her little dog. The designer's notes said: "This season explores the theory of rejuvenation, keeping the looks fresh and ethereal with a modern touch. The common thread through the collection is the emphasis on the waist and the refined feeling of luxury. "

The 40 piece collection was 100% evening wear, and 100% glamorous, with no daywear being shown in this collection. The theme of Spring seems to be "Old Hollywood glam rags, with a "young, modern twist." As with several of the designers collections I've seen so far, the emphasis is on pretty but very waist defining dresses that will make some women want to watch their waistlines a bit more. You can't wear wide belts with full skirts and not look bizarre, if you aren't in shape.

Although the overall feeling of these evening clothes is still "old Hollywood glamour with a "young, modern twist," Reem Acra jazzed them up with lots of swingy, tiered layers of wide ruffles, black lace mixed with purple in a nod to the boudoir, and surprise element such as mix-and-match colors of bright yellow, purple, green, and red mixed and matched with super-pointy, super-high, supercharged colored pumps in contrasting colors to the clothes. Belts were fashion accessories to brighten up the feel of nearly every dress, including the gold sequined slip dress with purple belt to the left, and the sexy, sequined black gown with lingerie elements to the right.

The silky, luxe fabrics in organza, lace, taffeta and silk were indeed expensive looking and elegant, but it was the color that made this collection special, such as this brilliant, green dress (I believe the color was called "fern") worn with shoes finished in 22 karat gold by Max Acra for Reem Acra. It looks especially striking on this red-haired model, but a dress in a bold color like this would turn every head in the room on any woman--no genuine emeralds required.

Straight, textured hair by Gavin Harwin and pink lips with glowing skin by Christian McCullouch for MAC, plus ladylike manicures from Creative Nail Design, complete every woman's "Grace Kelly" look.