Photos and text courtesy of Rami Al Ali.
PRESS RELEASE AND BIOGRAPHY
On July 1st, 2013, as all eyes turned once again towards the couture capital, Syrian-born fashion couturier, Rami Al Ali, unveiled his Autumn/Winter 2013/14 collection to an exclusive crowd of the industry’s key players. Al Ali’s collection, inspired by the revolutionary works of Gustav Klimt, saw the designer’s fourth showing in the city.
A groundbreaking artisan of his era, Klimt pioneered a new generation of art, producing work that united controversy with genius. Al Ali’s interest was piqued through their joint admiration of the feminine form, with Klimt’s creative visuals capturing private moments, defining a new level of intimacy and eroticism. Vivid decorative imagery took centre-stage as paintings gave a glimpse of the voice within. Exquisite graphics, deliberate strokes and personal encounters gave way to non-conforming values and profound new expressionism – the perfect muse for modern couture.
Taking inspiration from the artist’s ‘Golden Phase’, the collection offers a rich alliance of hues blended seamlessly together to create a precious dimension of gold, silver and platinum. Rustic shades of lavender, old rose and vintage champagne provide a softer edge, with deeper tones of dark violet and black bejeweling the line. Fabrics further extend the opulence of the theme as a delicate blend of modern lace, soft and diaphanous tulle, chiffon and silk organiza balance out the intensity of the metallic textiles. Narrow-waisted, A-line shapes with full-bodied skirts epitomise the feminine ideals of Klimt’s masterpieces.
Contours are long and flowing, with clean, elegant necklines embodying lady-like sophistication. Three-quarter length gowns complete with full-length sleeves lend a touch of 50s glamour, as sheer fabrics and deep necklines provide the risqué factor. Klimt’s iconic graphic geometric shapes are captured within Al Ali’s detailing, with intricate embroidery and elaborate embellishments.
The twenty-nine piece collection infuses innovation, creativity, femininity and beauty, as Al Ali proves once again that fashion is an art form.
BIOGRAPHY
Rami Al Ali was born in Syria. His love of refined aesthetics began at an early age. He had a young eye for fine fabrics and design. His curiosity for design later led him to the College of Fine Arts in Damascus where he studied visual arts. The great pioneer within caused Rami to produce a fashion show for his Fine Arts degree final. While his professor was astounded by the unorthodox presentation of the core curriculum, he was also impressed by his astute work and display of Fine Arts through fashion. He graduated from the College of Fine Arts in 1995 and quickly started his fashion career in Dubai and Beirut. It was in these two great cities that Rami worked with some of the region’s leading fashion houses.
Established in Dubai in 2001, Rami Al Ali Couture entered the fashion arena with a bold collection and uncompromising couture designs. After a number of inspiring fashion shows around the Gulf, Rami Al Ali’s notoriety spread and his designs began to occupy the covers of leading fashion magazines and red carpet celebrations.
Rami Al Ali’s unbridled passion for design caught the eye of La Mode En Images. In 2006, the revered agency chose Rami, among a few key international designers, to participate in the Asian Olympic Games in Qatar.
With royal, celebrity and social muses like Youssra, Ivana Trump, Lateefa Nawal, among others, Rami Al Ali’s designs moved from bridal to evening gowns. The Rami Al Ali woman evolved from sweet bride to blossoming socialite and Rami Ali evolved with them. His pieces stood out from the red carpet of the Adonia Awards to the international stage of Najem Al Khaleej. As the Rami Al Ali look spread through the region, the need for a Prêt collection was clear. In 2007, Rami launched his Prêt collection. The Rami Al Ali woman needed dresses suitable for dinners and intimate gatherings.
The excitement continued and garnered attention from global brands such at Swarovski. Rami was chosen to be a part of UNBRIDALED, a book published by the global Austrian crystal brand, with revered couture veterans Giorgio Armani, Vivian Westwood and John Galliano, among others. The collaboration demonstrated his ability to participate in an international market.
By 2009, Rami Al Ali walked into the international fashion arena with his first show at AltaRoma in Rome, Italy. Rami stayed true to his visual arts degree with fabrics designed in-house for the international runway. Rami Al Ali is embarking on his fifth season at the Rome fashion week where he continues to dazzle the foreign press with his unique style of women’s evening and bridal wear, rooted in Arab design. In Rome, he has built a reputation as a sort of fashion ambassador for the Middle East. His collections are always demure with an Arab sense of glamour and modesty.
For more information visit www.ramialali.com.
