French fashion designer Christophe Guillarme (center) walks on the catwalk with models wearing his creations during the Kuwait International Fashion Week, in Kuwait City on March 22, 2018. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Kuwait's most awaited fashion event was hosted by Bibi Al-Khuodari, a journalist by profession, has been working with Al-Qabas newspaper from the past 12 years and is also a TV editor said, "This is my first time hosting a fashion event in Kuwait, and the journey has been quite a thrill. I got the chance to meet many local and international designers from all around the fashion industry."

Christophe Guillarme, Paris based designer was one of the key trend setters at the Fashion week. He finds women of Kuwait very interesting and stylish. "This was my first visit Kuwait. I find the women here to be very stylish, elegant. I've noticed that they like wearing designer wear. Observing their fashion sense has been amazing. The fact that they're always wearing just the right fabric and color highlights that 'they are into fashion.' For them fashion is life, like a full time job; it's a way of life," he said.

He added, "I work with a few boutiques in Kuwait on collaborative basis. When they invited me on this show, I grabbed the opportunity, to share my fashion with Kuwait. Also, I wanted to know how it feels to be a fashion designer here." Guillarme's fashion ideas, inspirations and creations come from his daily experience with people that he meets in different walks of life.

According to Guillarme, this season's summer color will be 'gold'. "People like gold this year. In fact, I want gold, and maybe the color gold will also dominate the next winter season. They want sand colors, and the most popular one is the embroidered sunflowers. Flowers are still very much in and will overpower the color in fashion, the materials are mostly from elegant silk fabric and cotton," he said.

Lebanese designer Boudi Dib said, "My readymade collection is destined to the contemporary man who needs to be fashionable and comfortable at the same time. High end fabrics were used such as linen, cotton and wool, in order to reach the highest level of comfort and durability." As for his experience during the KIFW he said, "Collaborating with KIFW has been an amazing experience that gave me the opportunity to market our vision in the best possible way."

Pria Kataria Puri is an Indian internationally acclaimed fashion designer who has won 30 awards for her contribution in the fashion in the fashion industry, she is has single handedly made the Kaftan a 'must have' in every woman's wardrobe and earned the prestiges title of 'The Kaftan Queen'. Pria showcased 'La Lumiere' glamorous evening wear collection in exotic French crystal fabric for multicultural, multifaceted women of today, who believe in elegant, luxurious, timeless pieces. Pria showcase her signature style such as the glittering Kaftan gowns, shimmering jumpsuits and pantsuits, babydoll cancan frocks and capes where accessorized with ostrich feathers and ostentatious fascinator's in classic colors like champagne gold, white, rose gold and black.

" I was very delighted and honored to showcase at Kuwait International Fashion Week, I consider Kuwaiti women as the most fashionable women in the world, who understand luxury, style and quality as they are also avid shoppers, making Kuwait a big market for women's luxury fashion,"Pria said.

Fashion and dentists

KIFW this year teamed up with dentists to be sponsors at the event in a belief that good and healthy teeth go hand in hand. Dr. Husam Al-Khateeb, Hollywood Smile Dental Center General Manager said, "We became partners with the fashion event on the sole belief that fashion and looks go hand in hand. A person's face should match the dresses that they wear. The best thing is when even though you are not smiling, you are the most beautiful among all. Smile is the best accessory you can wear with a dress. So as a dental clinic, we want to help people wear that kind of confidence. We do aesthetics and cosmetic dentistry surgery," he said.

Hollywood Smile Dental Center is located in Salmiya. The second branch will open next year in Fahaheel. "We have doctors that are very popular in dental surgery; Kuwaitis want to look good, and they are all interconnected. If you want to look good, first fix your smile," he added.

Dr. Khalid Al-Kanderi, Lotus Clinic General Manager said, "As we were interested in targeting a new segment of beauty seekers, what better than a great fashion show to meet such people and participate in completing their beauty with a touch of health. Our professional team at Lotus clinic gives people the confidence 'to dress to impress' starting with healthy teeth to brighten the look, and to their face and body health for shining beauty. And yes it was a great experience and we would love to do it again to help our beloved ones to look healthy and beautiful while enjoying their appearance at such a great event."

Makeup and hair

The K-Star makeup artist, Ola, said "The fashion show was sponsored by K-star's make-up. K-stars cosmetics is an Italian brand that is perfect for flawless skin. It can be used for daily and professional cover for TV and photo shoots." "During the show we used nude colors and red lipstick. We had a great experience participating with Kuwait International Fashion Week," she added.

Meanwhile, Makeup artist, Brigitte Khoury, praised that the show was well organized as it is developing every year. "We are proud to sponsor KIFW for the execution of the hair and makeup using K-Stars products , this is our second time teaming up with KIFW. We see ourselves as a constant partner of the event and we look forward to participating in similar events."

She added "I like the simple makeup and hairstyle to keep the focus on the dresses where I used the European and Arabian style to satisfy everyone including the models. I love my work that is why I'm passionate and having fun while doing it."

Makeup and hair styles were a hit at the fashion week, popping up with models down the runway was mind blowing. Wavy hair along with elegant accessories were a complete perfection with the designs, shaking up the beauty scene on the runway at Kuwait International Fashion Week.

By Sahar Moussa , Ben Garcia and Faten Omar