On the catwalk, a perfectly-timed stream of Gucci's Russian- inspired clothing stalked down the runway in ultra-high boots. Backstage, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of make-up, hairdressers and stylists.
Video: Click here to watch the Gucci show in Dubai
From the Gucci carpets flown in from Italy and the music by Gucci's international DJ Michel Gaubert to the beautiful models and the carefully put together looks on the ramp, a lot of effort went into making the Gucci presentations one of the best fashion shows seen in Dubai.
tabloid! was exclusively allowed backstage and get a close up look at the work put in behind the scenes to organise this event.
Although the show was scheduled for 8.30pm, the backstage crew was busy at work long before that.
When we arrived a little after noon, the team of fitters were putting together each of the 66 looks complete with every layer of clothing and the shoes, bag, jewellery and other accessories to go with it.
They then sorted the garments onto racks, one for each of the 18 female and 10 male models.
Detailed instructions
It was interesting to see how detailed the instructions attached to each look were. Besides pictures of the look and extensive descriptions of every item, the instructions mentioned details such as which hand the bag should be held in and how much of a shirt should be seen from under the jacket.
While we excitedly looked through the racks (yes, we were the first media persons in Dubai to see, touch, feel and photograph those gorgeous clothes, bags and boots!), the team leader called all the fitters and models for a demonstration of exactly how the belts should be worn on the ramp.
Realising we were in the way, we moved on to the next room where the hair and make-up artists were setting up their paraphernalia.
The atmosphere here was more relaxed with music playing in the background.
The look sheets for the hair and make-up were put up on the walls all around the room.
"I have put together a team of 10 experienced make-up and hair artists from Dubai for this show. We will be working on models of various nationalities that have been flown in from Milan. Hence, we had a trial run yesterday with two male and two female models in the presence of Gucci representatives. We also did a light test to understand how the lighting on the ramp will be so that we can get the make-up right," said coordinator Rhona Guthrie-Bennett.
‘Casual bed head'
At 2pm the models arrived and team leader Lee Bennett and his team of hair artists began working on their hair. Bennett described the hair look as a "casual bed head" look. "Using hair extensions would make it easier to create this look, but we will work with the models' own hair because we do not have the time to find the right match for their varying hair colours," he said.
While he spoke to us, he was busy putting rollers in model's hair. "We will just settle the hair now and pin it up and just before the show we will let it down and give finishing touches," he explained.
On the other side of the room, Hani Kleib, make-up artist, was demonstrating to his make-up team how to get the correct look.
"The look is natural with fresh, crystal clear skin, contouring on the bone structure and nude lips. The emphasis is on the eyes and even the men will have kohl with a smudged look. Right now we will do just the base and the eyelids and then complete the look just before the show," he added.
As we made our way out, we saw other crew members busy laying the carpet ramp, setting up the music and planning the seating. Meanwhile, the chefs at the Park Hyatt were busy preparing a variety of canapés for hundreds of guests expected.
Here's what models say about Dubai:
Katrina
"I moved to Dubai from Belarus just a few months ago and am lucky to be the only model from Dubai in this show. I got this opportunity because one of the models from Italy could not travel. I have done many fashion shows but to do a Gucci show is special. I love the clothes and accessories and everything is so professionally organised."
Maria
"I am 19 and began modelling just a few months ago. Although I am from Milan, my first show was in New York. I am really excited to do a Gucci show and love this entire collection. The best part of being a model is the chance to travel to beautiful places like Dubai."
Tom Travis
"I am studying geography in college and have learnt about Dubai, so it is exciting to come here for a show. I will go to university in September and have been modelling during my break because it gives me the opportunity to see new places and meet people from around the world. But I miss being away from my friends. I also wish male models were paid as much as female models."
Fur for the madding crowd
Discerning fashionistas in Dubai welcomed the opportunity to preview the autumn-winter 2008 collections for men and women from Gucci at the famous Italian label's first ever runway show in the city.
400 guests of all nationalities, many attired in their favourite Gucci dresses and jackets or carrying Gucci bags, attended the by-invitation-only show at the Park Hyatt, Dubai on Monday. The exclusive Gucci experience was organised in partnership with Al Tayer Insignia.
The ambience in the lounge and ballroom of the hotel reflected the luxury and glamour of Gucci. The décor in black with hints of brass was designed to complement the collections and the catwalk was covered with the iconic Gucci carpet unveiled at Milan Fashion Week this year.
Stunning
As expected, the garments on the ramp were stunning. Luxurious furs with colourful Eastern European-inspired embroidery, '70s wallpaper prints, equestrian and military inspired studs and other metallic details, lots of tassels and sleek, smart silhouettes presented a playful bohemia mixed with rock ‘n' roll feel.
The look was bold and unconventional, yet had the signature opulence, detailing and innovative construction of Gucci. The clothes were accessorised with metallic and leather belts, big beautiful bags and simply delightful brass studded shoes, fringed booties and ultra-high boots.
A quick poll after the show indicated that the audience loved the women's collection and the men's jackets, though most of the men had reservations about the narrow men's trousers, especially the leather pants. All the women were drooling over the bags and everybody just loved the shoes.
Carpetbaggers of the world unite
Accessories include, long and narrow equestrian boots in black and brown, with and without studs and a shiny patent leather version with lace detail for evening.
Jewellery is the new accessory for men this season and includes studded leather cuffs, waterfall silver necklaces made from coins and charms, strips of leather with silver detail wrapped around wrists and neck.
The bags for men are oversized and rich. They include a crocodile weekender with stud and charm detail, a leather messenger bag covered in metal coins and charms and a carpet bag.
From Russia with love
Giannini's unconventional approach to menswear this season is best described as Russian Rock. She has been inspired by the hip New York band Gogol Bordello and its lead singer Eugene Hutz and the avant-garde culture of post-revolution Russia, to create a collection rich with layers, brash mixing and a sexy, irreverent air.
Narrow, low-waisted, extra-long pants are bunched up around the ankle and worn over soft boots. The jackets are slim-fit and relaxed with soft shoulders. The new silhouette for this season is the cardigan jacket with a sloping shape, roomy shoulders, narrow at the hip and low buttons.
Velvet and corduroy suits in Prussian blue, bronze, and burnt brick are given a gypsy feel with printed shirts, shearling-lined open vests and bands of printed scarves wrapped around the waist.
The prints on the cotton and silk shirts and scarves are inspired from vintage Russian textiles, carpets and furniture fabric. Long ropes of scarves replace the tie and metal charms stamped with Gucci's griffin crest decorate clothing and accessories.
The unconventional evening wear includes velvet stirrup pants, jacquard shirts with subtle ruffle fronts, pants with waist studs, military jackets with standing collars and decorative closures to create distinctly untraditional tuxedos.
The winter outerwear is oversized and luxurious with touches of leather or metal.
Highlights include a sleeveless canvas parka with a curly lamb interior, slim- fitting aviator jackets in polished leather with oxidised metal studs, a leather jacket with a beaver collar, astrakhan lining and grosgrain silk trim, a hooded anorak in Argentine fox and a burnt tobacco astrakan coat.
Now, shop
Gucci's autumn-winter 08-09 collection will be available in the UAE in July at Gucci stores at Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Boulevard and Mall of the Emirates.
