For those who have never been backstage at a runway show, there is a controlled chaos to it that is quite intoxicating.
Rows of models sit patiently at make up stations, each simultaneously worked on by multiple hands. Brushes dust on highlighter and define lips, while brows are teased into the desired shape.
Backstage at Dolce & Gabbana's Dubai Mall runway show last night, these hands had a very particular look to follow. For almost every fashion show that the brand has ever held, the look has been a sharp black cats-eye flick paired with a fiery red lipstick. But not in Dubai.
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Winnie Carine, David Charvalho and Mango Dedova attend the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show in Dubai Mall. All photos by Victor Besa / The National -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Guests watch the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
Models walk up and down the catwalk during the Dolce & Gabbana Fashion Show at Dubai Mall. -
(L-R) Lana El Sahely, Firras Alwahabi, Karen Wazen
In an unmistakable nod to the women of the region, the runway look was a smokey eye, intensely rimmed in black kohl. The mood was dark, dramatic and undeniably alluring. "We wanted to make sure we had the right Arabian make up," says Domenico Dolce. "It's not easy. But we tried."
"This is very different for Dolce and Gabbana," adds Sharon Drugan, the key make up artist backstage. "This look is all about the Arab region. Smokey eyes and black lashes, or heavy rimmed eyeliner. Sometimes with a red lip, sometimes with a nude lip. We are personalising the looks to the models."
With more than 60 girls to transform, the team worked for hours, preparing skin to create a dewy glow, and adding highlighter for a gold-hued sheen. "The inspiration is the Middle Eastern woman," continued Drugan. "It is very opulent looking."
Party pics from the Dubai show
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Fatima Al Momen -
Karen Wazen Bakhazi. -
Anum Bashir, aka Desert Mannequin. -
Sheikha Dana Al Khalifa of The Overdressed. -
Ola Farahat and Saufeeya Goodson. -
Lana El Sahely. -
Fatma Husam -
Ahmad Daabas -
The pre-show party at the boutique -
The pre-show party at the boutique -
The new store sits across two levels -
The The pre-show party at the boutique
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Read more:
In the front row at Dolce and Gabbana's Dubai show
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana on life, death, fashion and succession
Bahraini princess walks the catwalk for Dolce & Gabbana
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