Dubai label Aavva's scrap fabric clothes steal show at day two of Arab Fashion Week

The dazzling designs show how fashion can embrace sustainability without compromising style

DAY TWO HIGHLIGHTS: Using only fabric left over from previous seasons Aavva created a sustainable collection for Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

Fashion meets sustainability at Aavva for Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

A blast of bright colours at Aavaa at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

Colourful and sustainable, the Aaava show at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

A patchwork abaya from FAD Dubai, at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

An intriguing mix of evening wear and PPE at Sophia Nubes, at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

Sharp tailoring at Sophia Nubes at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

Pandemic fashion at Sophia Nubes, Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

A patterned abaya from FAD Dubai at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

Fluid eveningwear from FAD Dubai at Arab Fashion Week. Courtesy AFW

At day two of Dubai's first digital Arab Fashion week, it was the homegrown talent that made the strongest standing.

The best show of the day was Aavva, with a dazzling collection that put sustainability at the fore. In reaction to the pandemic, designers Ahmad Ammar and Vincenzo Visciglia used only fabric left over from previous collections. The resulting looks are as ebullient and colourful as they are kind to the planet.

Daywear in glossy purples, greens, pinks and yellows, this was bright, brash and uplifting, taking the form of off-the-shoulder tops and side-tie cullottes.

Eveningwear arrived with contrasting coloured belts over layers of pastel tulle, toughened up with slicks of shocking lipstick. By using so called 'dead stock', the label is able to reduce its environmental footprint, but the Lebanese and Brazillian designers managed to do so without compromising attitude.

Sophia Nubes

Sophia Nubes also commented on the pandemic, by teaming its well-cut pieces with face masks on the runway. With sharp tailoring running through a collection that travelled from padded gold coats to 1980s peplum jackets.

The best look was the last evening gown. Strapless and with a deeply cut away front, the face mask and gloves brought a new twist to dressing for dinner.

FAD

The students of FAD Institute of Luxury Fashion and Style Dubai showed their graduation collections in a show that moved from evening wear to abayas with great effect.

The best pieces included a beautifully cut, fluid evening gown carefully gathered to hug the hips, and worn with a shrug tied with a bow.

The abayas were particularly good: there was one decorated with hand painted panels, and a Mondrian inspired coat, its cuffs accentuated with distinctive grid work and block colours.