There is very little doubt that Omar Kashoura has deserved
to be on the fashion radar over the last few years as one of the most promising
menswear designers. As such, it came as no surprise that Kashoura’s
Spring/Summer 2012 collection would be a confirmation of his talent from the
moment the first models took to the runway during his show as part of Barcelona
Fashion Week.
This is a collection inspired by the numerous cultural and
historical manifestations of social liberation in the 1960s and 1970s,
including the hippie subculture, music icons such as Bob Dylan and Janis
Joplin, and events such as Woodstock festival. Starting from this inspiration, the
overriding feel of the collection stems from notions of ease and comfort with
the intention to create a relaxed elegance and a softer male silhouette.
Contrasting the hyper masculinity of New York’s gay
subculture of the 1970s with the hippie movement, wide-fitting trousers and
shorts are paired with fitted and sculpted T-shirts, shirts, and tailored
jackets. Fabrics such as modern linen blend with viscose, and cottons are teamed
with a multi-stripe colour cloth. Fitted knitwear is worn next to the skin and
feature modern dropped stitch techniques.
As evident in previous Kashoura’s collections, shirts are
ultra fine and loose fit, in lightweight plain and striped Italian cottons. Dropped
shoulders are another key feature, combined with playful abstract prints
developed from a photograph of light movement captured on a fairground ride. In
addition, Kashoura also created ‘Love Store – Store Love’, an exclusive graphic
print crafted in bronze and aqua tones, inspired by artist Bruce Nauman’s
messages in neon signs in Pigalle, Paris.
When it comes to accessories, bags are crafted to emulate
paper bags, and finished with leather trims, gold hardware, and zippers with
ring pulls. A 1970s feel prevails with luxurious faux crocodile leather
accessories and tab trims, and the elegant leather sandals stand out for their
minimalist elegance and functionality.
Omar Kashoura graduated from the London College of Fashion in
2004 with first class honours for a highly acclaimed collection that secured
the top prize of Best International Menswear Designer at New York’s Gen Art
Style Awards in 2005. After graduation, Kashoura began his working career at
London fashion house Preen before securing a consulting position at
Unconditional. In 2006, he resumed his studies in fashion by enrolling in a
Masters degree at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design. Since
graduating from this prestigious school, he has been developing his eponymous
label into a highly reputed brand that has gained support from the Centre for
Fashion Enterprise, has won the prestigious Deutsche Bank Pyramid Award in
2008, has been showing at London Fashion Week, and has been given a New
Generation Designer award by the British Fashion Council.
In just a few years, Omar Kashoura’s work has become known
for its use of luxurious fabrics, a modern approach to colour, and display of
original finishing details such as trompe l’oeil jacket lapels or hidden zippers.
His high work standards and strong attention to detail has made his work highly
respected by the international press and fellow fashion designers. He has shown
his collections in numerous countries across the world, and remains committed
to establishing creative partnerships to develop new projects and events.
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