Last night, 6 April, Team Kazbah found itself granted entrance to the inaugural UK Arabian Fashion World’s show at the Intercontinental Hotel in London’s Park Lane in aid of Islamic Relief’s Gaza Appeal.  Mixing with Royalty, Ambassadors, fashion gurus and a vast host of the ‘beautiful people’ is definitely not our usual scene, so what could we expect from the show?

At most European fashion shows you know what to expect; outrageous, refined, yawn! Well, with this show, we were shocked, titillated, surprised, amused and most definitely impressed - not least starting with an inspired re-make of the theme tune to Lawrence of Arabia by electro violin duo FUSE - see clip at the bottom.

6 top designers had been selected to show their latest offerings:  From the slim cut, ultra city look for men by Jordanian/British Omar Kashoura, through the stunning work of the well established and highly lauded Saudi Arabian designer Amina Al Jassim (right) whose ensembles, in muted shades offset by flashes of brilliant and fluorescent colour, had textures and styles that spoke of a desert life; to the flamboyant take on Moroccan style by the genius that is Samira Haddouchi whose dresses did impress; and to the subtle silky sophistication of renown Lebanese designer, Abed Mahfouz.

However, it was Rabia Z (left) from the UAE who, in our opinion, really took the biscuit, rocked our boat, floated our boots. Rabia Z’s works are rooted in the elegance of modesty, taking the head coverings and flowing robes that can be seen as a symbols of detestable deference and turning them into items of desirable defiance.

The show was a treat and we can’t wait for next year’s 3 day show.

Virtually visit the designers by clicking their names on the links below:
Omar Kashoura, Amina Al Jassim, Samira Haddouchi, Abed Mahfouz, Rabia Z

For more information click HERE for the Arabian Fashion World website.

Video clip of violin duo FUSE - for more go to http://www.myspace.com/fusemusic