Milia M will be the first Arab designer to showcase her creations at Milan Fashion Week this week. The Lebanese designer will see her winter 2008/2009 displayed on the ramp on Friday, February 22.
Milia was among the select Arab designers invited last November to be part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Fashion Week, which is organised by Maven Corporate Ltd. in collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, organisers of Milan Fashion Week. She will now participate in Milan Fashion Week under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi Fashion Week.
Functional art
"I have been interested in art and design since childhood and originally wanted to be an artist or sculptor. But I eventually chose to be a fashion designer because fashion is functional art and a perfect blend of art and commerce. I am thrilled that my collection will be seen on the ramp at Milan Fashion Week.
This is a wonderful opportunity for me to grow creatively and commercially. My clothes are not typically Arabic in style and as an Arab it is great to be part of the international scene without conforming to a folkloric image," said Milia.
Born in Beirut, Milia studied fashion design in Paris. She launched her women's wear label Milia M in 2000 in Beirut. After the war in Lebanon in 2006, she moved to Istanbul, where she is now based.
"Most Arab designers prefer to create exclusive couture garments, but I always wanted to do ready to wear. I make clothes that are sensual, comfortable and can be worn during the day or evening," said Milia.
Exposure
Dr Alice Teeuwen, chairman of Maven Corporate Ltd., is excited about taking an Arab designer to the Milan catwalk. "We established a collaboration with Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana because our aim in launching Abu Dhabi Fashion Week was not only to provide a regional platform for Arab designers, but also to give them international exposure and opportunities to enter new markets. We recommended Milia for Milan Fashion Week because her clothes are a good mix of Western and Arab styles. We are impressed by her work and confident about her ability to deliver," she said.
Julia Pirovano, general manager, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, was pleased to have the opportunity. "We believe that this region is an important fashion destination and we welcome this opportunity for exchange and interaction. We are extremely serious about our commitment to Abu Dhabi Fashion Week and look forward to bringing the best of Italian fashion here and introducing many more talented designers from this region to European and international markets," she said.
‘My clothes are not typically Arabic in style and as an Arab it is great to be part of the
international scene without conforming to a folkloric image.'
— Milia M
Girls at dawn
The collection Milia M will showcase on February 22 at Milan Fashion Week is titled Girls at Dawn and takes inspiration from the colours and moods from that moment between night and day.
It includes T-shirts, trousers, jackets and dresses in a palette of gold, bronze, black and ecru. Embroidery inspired by antique Ottoman motifs gives the garments a vintage look.
