Mediterranean Sunset Fashion Show in Rome, Italy

MEDITERRANEAN SUNSET, Rome, July 10th 2023 - MAXXI MUSEUM
A'biddikkia (Panarea), Kartikeya (India), Laith Maalouf (Jordan), Missaki Couture (Lebanon), Morocco Fashion House by Hayat (Morocco), Villaamoon (Kuwait) & Fleur d'Oranger footwears (Italy)

The tenth edition of International Couture, produced with the support of the Med-Or foundation, took    place on Monday July 10^th at the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts. The protagonists of the show entitled "Mediterranean Sunset", came from Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, India and Italy. They have been selected for the originality of their creations, the beauty of the fabrics, the precision of the cuts and the care with which the products have been made.

Fashion, art and culture as a means of integration between Mediterranean countries. Fashion is not only beauty but also management and training, from next July, International Couture will become the launching pad for new professional figures specialized in project management. An advanced training course will be planned and organized by the Med-Or foundation aimed at students from Mediterranean countries who will conclude their journey participating actively into the organization and management of the fashion show event.

« Mediterranean Sunset » fashion show was organized by the Italo-Lebanese Cultural Institute with the patronage of the Lebanese Embassy in Italy and Roma Capitale, Department of Major Events, Sport, Tourism and Fashion. The models' hair styling was entrusted to The Best Club by Wella, guided by artistic director Giovanni Salerno; the make-up was assigned to Face Place Academy by Pablo, with Pablo Gil Cagné as artistic director. Editorial photography is overseen by Pietro Piacenti and general organization by Maria Christina Rigano, Councillor of the Italo-Lebanese Cultural Institute.

For this tenth edition, International Couture's journey dreams and chases a « Mediterranean Sunset ».  Our story narrates about a young and elegant Lady with a modern and international spirit that decided to choose the best garments for her next Fall/Winter wardrobe following the paths of the sunset.

Starting from India, she admires the beautiful and colourful dresses designed by Kartikeya with his special collection "Chasing shadows of the mystic old town", quietly observing sadness, love, loneliness, pain and other mixed human emotions that fill Varanasi city.

The journey continues in Morocco, where she admires the embroidery of the caftan twisted by Morocco Royal Style Fashion House for the collection "Majorelle scents". The designer Hayat Karimi's signature piece is the traditional Moroccan caftan, cured by herself in every detail: cuts, embroidery, colors, stones, raw materials and even jewels, completely handcrafted.

After travelling through the desert, our Lady crosses the sea to land in Panarea island where she recognises the unique elegance of A'biddikkia's unmistakable prints. This new collection is a "Tribute to Mida", the Greek goddess, capable of turning anything she touches into gold. The brand designer Giovanna Mandarano has therefore created a pure silk collection through vivid colors and golden patterns impressed on A'biddikkia's unmistakable design.  

Then she continues her trip to Kuwait where she discovers the sophisticated gowns created for Villaamoon brand by Kuwaiti designer . The "Villaamoon" collection presents a traditional Kuwaiti imprint, but with a modern touch: by wearing it, our Lady can enjoy luxury, modernity and heritage, while owning a piece that she will keep for generations to come.

Leaving Kuwait and pursuing her itinerary, our international Lady reaches a country where the beautiful sunset kisses Middle East lands: with a stop in Lebanon, the land of the Cedars, she discovers Missaki Couture's garments that resemble the most beautiful lady, Calista. The collection narrates women woven with feathers, sumptuous fabrics, long sheath gowns with explicit shoulders and fascinating capes embellished with stones, resulting in Missaki Couture's signature look.

Ultimately, the ends in Jordan where the Mediterranean sunset reveals the blossoming of cacti represented through the vibrant collection of Laith Maalouf. The "Bloom" collection is inspired from the Cactus and its flowers.  From it, we learn the value of determination, as it patiently waits for its moment to bloom in a burst of vibrant colors and it becomes a living proof of the strength of the human spirit.

Finally, looking at the sunset behind her, our Lady comes back home carrying all the beautiful dresses that she collected on her journey, but most of all, little fragments and memories of the magical places and cultures that she found all around the world.