AAFW: Yousef Akbar Gives A Lesson In Fashion ASMR And Old School Glamour
Sight, sound, touch - the designer revealed a collection that engaged the senses
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
Three simple premises were set at Yousef Akbar Resort 2024 for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week: clothing is to look beautiful, and make you feel beautiful. And clothing is a multi-sensory experience of touch and sound as much as it is sight.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
In a typical Sydney AAFW moment, attendees were gifted with a sudden downpour of rain as they made their way to the Yousef Akbar Resort 24 show but while hairdos might have suffered the sound of rain on the roof turned out to be the perfect instrumental accompaniment for a collection that wanted the audience to focus on fabrication and the interaction of his clothing with the body.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
The texture of embellished jackets and ruffled chiffon, the rustle of sequins and heavy beading, the feeling of skintight lycra sheathing the body – Akbar engaged the senses.
Jewel-toned gowns of emerald, sapphire and ruby were dripping in sequins; shimmery body suits were given an eveningwear update with silk skirting in lush violet and pinks. There were ops of neon for shoes, leggings and occasional complete looks that created the perfect cocktail dress for rebellious natures.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
Hardware came in the form of gold-worked orchids – a mouthpiece, pins that held dresses together, brooches – that hinted at the theme of Akbar’s collection. Traditionally, the orchid represented femininity, grace and elegance, all three tropes that were present throughout the glittering collection.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
Yes, there were moments were the collection veered a little Balenciaga, a little Schiaparelli. But if the audience is an indicator of success, the applause that met the final walk should assure Akbar of the impact of his clothes.
Akbar’s continued push for clothing to be a moment, to find pleasure in the extravagance and the decadent, is a refreshing take in a sea of ready-to-wear that is easy to wear. Let’s relish a little more glamour.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Yousef Akbar show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2023 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images for AAFW)
This year, the GRAZIA Australia team travelled between AAFW shows in the refined style of Toyota’s new RAV4 GXL. With its modern and spacious interior, privacy glass, and fast charging portals for our phones, it was the perfect mode of travel for zipping across Sydney town. To find out more, visit toyota.com.au.
