Reem Acra

Photography by Ndoema

I rushed into The Stage minutes before the unveiling of Reem Acra‘s Spring 2014 collection. The atmosphere was electric. I had my luggage on standby at the Empire hotel and a car service on call to snatch me right after the show and race to JFK to catch my West Coast bound AA flight. I was on a crazy schedule but I knew this was no show to miss. I was greeted by the most exquisitely stylish and gracious lady at Paul Wilmot whose cool seemed unaffected by the trademark Fashion Week craze. I quickly grabbed my seat beside digital wunderkind Shashi Menon of Style.com Arabia and proceeded with my pre-show techie ritual (yep, I’m a techno nerd in disguise ;). I got busy mounting my runway dedicated lens, checking the F-stop and white balance on my Nikon before firing off the last string of text messages to Lauren, my assistant. I had an amazing vantage point and was intent upon taking full photographic advantage of it. Meanwhile, pre-show anticipation had reached a fever pitch. Guests were tripping over themselves to reach their seats (and us both on occasion, sending Shashi’s unbreakable iPad skidding across the catwalk more than once). Until the lights finally came down.

What happened next was beyond amazing. Arguably the most glamorous collection this season. Impossibly sexy gowns in liquid silver lame. Exquisite embroidered and tulle wonders. Über sophisticated hand-draped silhouettes. And to amp up the drama, those huge fiery manes à la Grace Coddington (courtesy of Rene Furterer). We’re talking Drama with a capital D.

Must-haves: The entire collection is dripping with glamour and every number is beyond covetable! But if closet space is an issue 🙂 I’d say, the black strapeless tulle ruffle gown with gold trimming is a must. The Bomb! The one-shoulder, thigh-high black slit dress. Need I say more? And the silver lame halter dress. Pure magic. We’re talking, the ultimate entrance makers!