Reem Acra, who has long been known for bridal and Hollywood-ready gowns, has been working on developing her separates for several seasons now. Her new Resort collection included some easy-sell pieces that, though styled in a cocktail or black-tie manner, could easily be translated into a more casual look. The high-waisted, wide-leg trousers, say, could be worn with a button-up shirt, or the satin red top, styled here with an accordion-pleat skirt, could work with a pair of vintage jeans.
Of course, Acra didn’t forget her signature dresses. These hit that sweet spot of Resort—neither too casual nor too megawatt. One head-turner was a satin green dress that appeared off the shoulder from afar but in fact had a swathe of white fabric layered underneath it, making it into a proper shift dress. The supersized bow embellishments, a motif pulled from Acra’s Spring 2018 bridal collection, added a wild-card effect and gave otherwise simple dresses, such as a ruby red frock with a square-cut décolletage and bows attached at the sleeves, an almost quirky effect.
One important detail to note is that many of Acra’s dresses this season were covered up. A white lace number with long sleeves and a high collar was particularly elegant, while another dress in a sweet shade of pink barely showed any flesh. Those pieces and a few more with nude illusion necklines seemed right in step with the booming market of modest clothing.
