Miss Universe Bahrain Evlin Khalifa made her major runway debut as part of the show for Amato, the label by Filipino designer Furne One, at Arab Fashion Week in Dubai on Tuesday.
Also part of the show was Tunisian-French model Ameni Esseibi, fresh off the runway from her Paris Fashion Week debut, where she was the only Arab woman to walk for Weinsanto — the event’s opening show — but also as one of only two plus-size models to feature.
Amato muse, model Sajad Pourhasan, also featured in the show.
Wearing an embellished black dress with a mix of fabric and textures covered in black feathers, Khalifa's striking appearance set the tone for One's latest collection, which has a theme around birds.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the Arab Fashion Week opening show
Called Birds of Prey, the 33-piece collection, featuring a mix of womenswear and menswear, was presented with the designer's famed dramatic flair, and proved a strong opening show for the the six-day autumn/winter showcase at Dubai Design District.
Known for his glittering couture creations, One's all-black collection was geared towards ready-to-wear, but still with rich embellishments and heavy thread works. The designer played with textures to great effect, proving his mastery over fabrics, too, and not simply red-carpet sparkles.
There were feathers aplenty, and so were all kinds of laces, tulles and even leather.
To articulate his "pret couture" theme, the looks were also mixed. For instance, glamorous embellished dresses were paired with leather hoodies while some were matched with parka jackets.
Speaking backstage to The National ahead of the show, One, who now runs his 20-year-old label Amato out of D3, said sustainability was another important message he wanted to communicate with his latest collection.
"In our atelier, we have been practising slow fashion and upcycling since the very beginning and I want to inspire new designers with the same concept so our industry will be more sustainable for the next generation," he said. "This season, I have introduced sustainable fabrics, produced locally by indigenous groups and communities from different parts of the world as I also wanted to support and boost local suppliers."
He said Miss Universe Bahrain Khalifa was "the epitome of grace, passion and beauty".
Khalifa, 24, who's just returned from a pageant boot camp in the Philippines, said walking the runway at Arab Fashion Week for One was another dream come true.
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Miss Universe Bahrain 2022 Evlin Khalifa is a pianist and professional model who is half Bahraini and half Russian. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
Evlin Khalifa was crowned Miss Universe Bahrain last year. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
The moment Khalifa was crowned. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
Khalifa, from Riffa, is the second beauty queen from Bahrain. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
Seven finalists of the Bahrain national pageant. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
Khalifa competes in the evening gown wearing a dress by Filipino designer Furne One whose Amato label is based in Dubai. AP -
Miss Bahrain Evlin Khalifa walks on stage in a pink burkini during the preliminary competition at the 71st Miss Universe in New Orleans. AFP -
Evlin Khalifa arrived in New Orleans for the Miss Universe pageant wearing a black and white modern abaya by Harvey Cencit. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
The Bahrain beauty queen departed from Dubai, wearing a long, blue-feathered couture jacket by Furne One over blue jeans. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
The current Miss Universe Bahrain ahead of her trip to the Miss Universe pageant. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Evlin Khalifa is a pianist and model. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Evlin Khalifa in elegant Middle Eastern-style fashion. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
Evlin Khalifa says she is committed to dressing more modestly than other contestants. Photo: Miss Universe Bahrain -
From right: Miss Universe Bahrain Evlin Khalifa, Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi, photographer BJ Pascual, Miss Universe Bahrain national director Josh Yugen, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa and Ian Borromeo, the co-founder of Yugen Group. Photo: Yugen Group
"It is my honour to represent the stories Arab women as I walk and open the Arab Fashion Week before I head to wear the sash of Bahrain and the Gulf at the stage of the greatest competition of its kind — the Miss Universe," she told The National.
"As Arab women, we were strengthened by several challenges in our history as we continuously defy norms and break stereotypes. We embrace the power of our roots as we navigate our roads to innovation and modernisation without losing our culture and beautiful virtue."
Khalifa won the Miss Bahrain 2022 crown in September, and is only second beauty queen from the Gulf to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, to be held in New Orleans in January.
The beauty queen, who was picked from more than 300 applicants, was recently in Manila for two weeks along with Miss Universe Bahrain national director Josh Yugen, where she was trained by some of the best in the industry.
“Being the new face of her generation, Evlin Khalifa is a symbol of hope and respect as she carries the flaming torch of the new generation of Arab leaders, movers and shakers. I can’t wait for you all to see what this amazing lady can do," Yugen said.
Furne One's inaugural menswear line is inspired by India — in pictures
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Filipino designer Furne One has launched his first fully fledged menswear line for his label Amato Couture. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Furne One will showcase his menswear collection at Arab Fashion Week in Dubai. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Furne One says his collection is inspired by his recent travels across India. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
The first Amato menswear collection will have 33 pieces. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Model Sajad Pourhasan has been named as the Amato 'muse'. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Furne One with his 'muse' in his studio in Dubai. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One, who founded his label in Dubai in 2002, says it's always been his dream to design a menswear line. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
The designer has drawn inspiration from his visits to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Goa and Agra to see the Taj Mahal in 2019. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Furne One's vivid collection reinterprets traditional Indian silhouettes and mixes them with contemporary ones. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
In one piece, a bright blue oversized bomber jacket is paired with a bulbous trouser, inspired by dhotis traditionally worn by men in some parts of India. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
There are also pleated skirts, a nod to sarong-line robes worn in many parts of South India, paired with bright hoodies. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
'I've taken vintage India and put my modern twist to it,' One says. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Sajad Pourhasan in an outfit by Amato. Photo: Tejaswi Ghagada -
Furne One showing off his first menswear collection. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Filipino designer Furne One first came to Dubai in 1998 on a transit flight. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
He started his Amato label with partner Rashid Ali, initially by designing wedding dresses for well-heeled Gulf women. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One has dressed everyone from Beyonce to Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One with his 'muse' Sajad Pourhasan in his studio. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One at work in his studio. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One says the Amato man is 'very trendy, he likes to dress up and he's not afraid to experiment'. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Inside Furne One's studio in Dubai Design District. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National -
Furne One says his success mirrors that of Dubai's growth in many ways. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National
