The runway was set, the red carpet was laid out and the ‘selfie' board was put up. Just like that, Cairo's top fashion insiders and celebrities poured into Dusit Thani's ballroom to get a glimpse of the latest couture trends. Last week, the Cairo Couture Collections (CCC) came back for a second round after their previous notable success. With a star-studded line-up and premium location; CCC2 promised an exquisite night of glam and elegance. The night kicked-off with celebrity designer Bahig Hussein, who graced the runway with an unexpected bold colour pallet. From electric blue to fire red and rich green, his runway was certainly illuminating. Meanwhile, his materials mixed light and see-through fabrics with furry accessories. Following this, Rana Madkour organised a couture march, rather than just a show. After showcasing a diverse collection with hand-embroidered patterns, the models strutted down the runway with empowering banners to inspire women among the audience. Madkour's showstopper was a daring leather dress that spoke elegance and character. Conversely, UAE designer princess Hend Al-Qassemi operated as an ambassador of her heritage and culture. Even though her collection had a few modern garments that embraced the timeless elegance of Coco Chanel, the true beauty of her collection lay in the way she reinterpreted traditional Emirati garments. Al-Qassemi depended on the feminine power of silk and intricate embroidery coupled with a neutral colour pallet. Sherif Nasr went in an opposite direction with a Parisian couture collection. His garments were both theatrical and unexpected; a few of the looks had an evident Beyoncé influence due to the characteristic metallics and catchy cuts. Madkour's finale showcased her models strutting with feminist banners (Photo by Yahya Abo Gndia) Nasr's true piece of art was a black chiffon gown embellished with beige flowers, especially with the model's artistic tattoo, which added charisma and charm to the overall look. Hadil Ali returned for another experience with Fashion Zone after participating in the company's Standard Chic event. Ali showcased an all-white collection that varied between bridal garments and evening gowns. Her designs proved her love for details and embellishments, including bows, flowers and ruffles. However, the true peak was certainly the young model that graced the runway in a dress designed by Ali. The front row held a show on its own. Hind Adel, Hany Ramzy, Wafaa Amer, Dolly Shahien, and others attracted lots of attention and camera flickers while sitting in front of the runway. Overall, the night faced few complications, such as the evident delay and the absence of a host. However, the general audience highly enjoyed this sneak peak of next season's glam.
