Lamya Abedin's Japanese inspired HANAMI collection

After the vintage styles of yesteryear cinema and revival of Ottoman fashion, Lamya Abedin takes over the catwalk at Dubai Fashion Week for the first time this season with her Hanami collection - inspired by the cherry blossom festival of Japan.

“The exotica of the East has always drawn me. I’ve often found myself dabbling with the styles of the elegant kimono. There’s little that compares to the feel of Asian silks. Even the Japanese community I have chanced upon in Dubai and while travelling have somehow found affinity in my designs. All these thoughts culminated into my inspiration when I read about Hanami, the festive ritual of viewing the first blooms of cherry blossom,” says Abedin as she presents to her audience thirty three new creations enthused by all that is Japanese.

Colourful and fresh like the whiff of new spring, Abedin’s latest collection breathes life into her abayas with hues of sky blues, floral pinks, bamboo browns, leafy greens, lemons, yellows, nudes and peaches.

To lend authenticity to the Asian look she had imagined, Abedin sourced her fabrics all the way from the land of the rising sun. You will see softer, textured Japanese suede, hand-painted silks and breezy chiffons, contrasted with heavier velvets, rayons, resinated and treated fabrics including leather. For this collection, the ever-experimenting designer has dabbled with many natural dyes and handmade fabrics. On the ramp you can also see abayas in knit jersey, chiffons and lace lycras dyed in cherry water and nature dyes.