Reem Acra typically opts for a go-big-or-go-home appeal with her megawatt gowns. This season, there was considerably less of that red carpet glimmer in her collection. Instead, the focus was more pared-back, honing in on a “women in power” look, a point that Acra drove home with simple, long dresses and column silhouettes. One piece that nicely represented the theme was a linear salmon dress with an ostrich-feather-and-appliqué-trimmed hem. Aside from a few dresses that were Acra’s signature sequin-coated, for-the-camera hits, when she did use embellishments, the technique appeared to be more thought-out and deliberate, as on a long sleeveless black-and-white gown with the shoulders and collar lightly encrusted with crystals.
It’s refreshing to see a designer like Acra, who has built her business on all things glitzy for her Hollywood clients, opt for a less busy aesthetic. A nice touch was that she also took a more covered-up route and included capes, which are often considered dated. The trick here was that they were outlined in gems, transforming them into an elegant, almost regal addition. It was a look that let a woman herself—and not only the dress—shine.
