Following the successful release of his Paon, or peacock, collection last season, Saudi thobe designer Hatem Alakeel has just unveiled his latest women’s range, under the Toby by Hatem Alakeel (Femme) brand.
The collection, called Fleur-de-lis, comprises linen, velvet and satin top coats and jackets bearing the floral emblem typically associated with French royalty. “The evolution of the fleur-de-lis, or lily, has many stages,” says Alakeel. “Put another way, the lily is a flower that evolves and transforms itself.”
The softly structured pieces bear hand-stitched buds, stems and leaf motifs in shades of white, black and mustard, on backgrounds of sapphire blue, emerald green and grey marl.
“Toby prides itself on its in-house embroidery and each piece is a unique objet d’art,” says Alakeel. “The collection shows the different stages, shapes and forms of the lily before it completely blossoms.”
Prices in the Fleur-de-lis collection range from Dh1,500 to Dh2,500, and pieces can be found at O Concept Store in Jumeirah, Dubai. Delivery from Saudi Arabia takes 10 to 15 days on average. Shop online and find your nearest regional stockist at www.tobybyhatem.com.
rduane@thenational.ae
