The first fashion show of Malta Fashion Week 2013 was certainly a grand opening to this highly anticipated week of fashion celebration.

As the sun set at the end of another beautiful Maltese Sunday, some six hundred dedicated fashionistas, brides-to-be and their parents gathered at the sumptuous Xara Lodge in the countryside beneath the walled city of Mdina. The venue boasts an imposing entrance where three flashy Mercedes-Benz models were on display, a large hall space inside where the guests gathered at first, and a vast beautiful garden that was superbly decorated for this occassion.

After a few drinks and Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffees, the guests were ushered to their seats and jovial compere Mr. Colin Fitz summarily introduced the collection.

Crystal embroidery, lace flowers and tulle were the order of the day. The Faragé Paris Collection was so magically crafted together, that it felt like we have been flown off to a land of fairytales. Most of the gowns featured a guipure lace embroidery technique famously associated with the Duchess of Cambridge. Silk taffeta, Swarovski crystals and beautiful embroidered lace motifs are abundant here.

This collection offers much more than the classic white gown we are used to. All the pieces are highly elaborate especially in their necklines. We saw high necklines embroidered with sophisticated crystal embellishment or with light and delicate feathers in the gown worn by the this edition’s lead model and Award nominee Shana Caruana.

For the utterly conventional woman, there’s a very plain dress embracing the female form that hugged the waist line with a perfectly shaped bow and a slight crystalline lace embroidery.

Fashion bloggers Lorraine Cini Delceppo and Cheryl Camilleri from We are all Divas had this to say about the collection – “One of our personal favourites was a beige one shoulder ethereal gown which had a lovely doily pattern and sheer material flowing from one shoulder.” This particular gown was very cinched from the waist and red-headed maiden Madeleine Baldacchino looked so elegant and pristine in it. From detailed lace sleeves to sophisticated silver under bust detailing, this collection provided an ode to delicateness which will definitely be remembered. Feminine and tastefully seductive for the bride that dares to be different but still extremely elegant.

“The best thing about these dresses is that they are really original, there’s absolutely nothing boring about these gowns.”, commented fashion stylist Caroline Paris. “I was also very impressed with the bodice of the gowns, I loved the fact that they were all ‘actual’ ‘true’ corsets, no zips or buttons please, only ribbons were present here.”, she continued.

Martina from All things Fabulous blog noticed the details… “The most noticeable detail on these dresses is the fine bodices. See through with a number of crystal, feather and lace designs were the talk of the show. Not only did the bodices have intricate details on the front, but they continued to the back too. Some dresses had a halter neck detail made of lace which also had a see through detail.”

Apart from similar comments on the gowns, fashion bloggers Stefy Puglisevich and Kylie Cassar also noticed the makeup… “Makeup artist Elaine Galea used a peachy toned spectrum. Starting with the eye we had a smokey eye with hints of colour in the outer corner of the eyes, followed by a peach cheek and perfect contouring of the face highlighting certain areas where needed. Finishing off the look with a neutral peach lipstick and a gloss on top.”

Marija Debono from All Things Lady noticed the models, “I wanted to mention how very talented all of the models were. Their faces gleamed and they all fooled us into thinking they were really walking down the aisle for a second there! They were all very comfortable in their dresses, or well, they managed to act as if they were and some of them were really expressive. It really showed that they were enjoying every second on the shining white catwalk.”

After the show the guests were treated to a reception catered by Infintely Xara, the catering arm of the venue operators. This event was supported by Wedding Bells, Infinitely Xara, Nescafe Dolce Gusto, Alistair Floral Design and Hansa Wines & Spirits. Hair byPrive, Makeup by Elaine Galea and flower bouquets by Alistar the Florist.

A special thanks goes to:
Ms. Lorraine Cini Delceppo and Ms. Cheryl Camilleri from We are all Divas,
Ms. Caroline Paris from Caroline’s Fashion Styling,
Martina from All Things Fabulous,
Stefy Puglisevich and Kylie Cassar and
Marija Debono from All Things Lady,
for their technical contribution to this post.

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