Aberdeen Fashion Week returned to the Granite City this autumn and as Jacqueline Wake Young reports, it provided its own brand of warmth and fireworks just in time for Bonfire Night
Featuring fiery reds and burnt oranges, Bonfire Night came early to the Aberdeen Altens Hotel last weekend as Aberdeen Fashion Week hosted its autumn/winter runway show.
Designers from as far away as Slovakia, Luxembourg and Bangladesh descended for the Granite City’s biannual festival of fashion and warmed up the chilly evening with bright and spicy colours plus the odd shot of electric blue.
International flavour
The international aspect of this event meant that the runway audience was treated to a fresh take on pattern and silhouette while eye-popping African prints also brought a dose of sunshine to the otherwise dreich day.
French/Congolese designer Belocine Musolo, who is based in Ayr, brought ultra-feminine, puff sleeves and billowing fabrics in her highly-flattering Nephtali Couture collection.
Aberdeen’s Tince Benmouhoub provided the fireworks with shimmering golds as did Luxembourg’s Egle Ozyte with purple, glittery lace and sequins.
Marro Offeh of Scotland teamed dark sequins with an African print skirt and put glitter on navy net for a fresh twist on dressing up.
The autumn/winter collections moved us a step closer to party season with evening dresses and occasion wear featuring heavily from the likes of Wobia Wovareri of Wales, as well as luxe fabrics such as velour and crushed velvet.
Casual-wear came courtesy of Scotland’s Taner Sen, who did Breton-style T-shirts with motifs, and AFW kids were happy to wear those, as well as Wobia’s colourful braid extensions in their hair.
The ever-enthusiastic AFW kids also showed off outfits from their favourite designers which helped to punctuate the proceedings as makers and models did quick changes backstage.
Millinery was not forgotten with Sheffield-based Linda Mirembe travelling north to demonstrate why hats have been making a long-overdue comeback.
Her headband-style hats in pale pinks were particularly wearable and suitable for everyday wear and not just weddings.
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