Bahrain's Noon By Noor embraces androgyny at London Fashion Week

The womenswear collection was filled with contrasts for autumn/winter 2022

Noon by Noor, the Bahraini womenswear label by cousins Shaikha Noor Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Al Khalifa, took to the runway at London Fashion Week on Saturday.

For autumn/winter 2022, the designers unveiled a collection filled with contrasts that saw a deft mixing of masculine and feminine codes.

The show opened with a model sporting a decidedly feminine, delicate white blouse, with ruffles on the shoulder and tied closed with ribbon. This was matched with simple shorts, and knee-high riding boots.

Then came an oversized white shirt worn loose over a bias cut circle skirt in vaguely metallic fabric, adding an elevated touch. A simple high-necked plisse shift dress arrived alongside a sculpted jacket that tucked neatly into the waist, sitting over a full skirt, scattered with blue floral embroidery.

The show notes spoke of texture and touch as the keywords underpinning the collection. Memorable moments include a fluffy white mini dress, seemingly spun from clouds, and an equally cosy-looking zip-through jacket over long shorts in caramel faux fur.

Elsewhere, a simple hoodie and long shorts were transformed into something luxe, now made from raspberry satin, while more men’s tailoring arrived as long, fluid trousers worn with a roomy collared shirt, and as sharp stove pipe trousers teamed with a beautiful outer coat in the deepest midnight blue.

Even denim made an appearance, fashioned into a cropped top with frilled shoulder detailing, and worn with an oversized parka in the same dark denim wash.

It is a small but beautifully balanced collection, the designers skilfully mixed sportswear with femininity throughout, throwing in lavish fabrics for good measure.

With an assured hand, the pair explored their theme without it ever feeling repetitive, instead creating pieces that are elegant and deeply desirable.

In 21 looks, they managed to shift through daywear, evening glamour and even prairie-inspired simplicity with the two closing long dresses.