Reem Acra Fall 2015

This season several designers looked to the 1970s for inspiration. Pamella Roland used the mid-70s disco era as a point of reference, Costello Tagliapietra’s perspective on woods women’s chic had a relationship to the early 70’s gingham granny back-to-nature dresses seen through a modern lens, and Vivienne Tam’s 70’s lacy, high-collared homage to the Victorian era.

Reem Acra continued this season fascination with the 1970s with a fall collection that drew inspiration from the bohemian gypsy looks of the 70s—imagine Stevie Nicks of the mid-1970s and the other “crimson and clover” rocker babes of that era—married with the heavily sequined embellished look that reflects Reem Acra’s Middle Eastern heritage.

If you can conjure up an image of a bohemian rock n’ roll diva beautifully embellished with beading, sequins and sundry sparklers with a nod to the mid-70s than you are understand the point of view of this collection. Additionally, many of these looks are red-carpet ready.

Reem Acra ingeniously used the cape and caplet sleeve trend to best effect in this collection. Where some designers just propped caplets sleeves on some garments and the look didn’t enhance the garment or seemed like a dissimilar appendage, Reem Acra’s use of this trend really melded nicely into Acra’s design perspective and silhouettes for fall 2015.

Though there are far too many standouts in this brilliant collection to single out just a few, true to form and in support of loyal readers we will name out some of the most spectacular looks in this outing.  Spectacular standouts include platinum dress with rose lace worn with blush jacket, flame red mink jacket embroidered in lace worn with chiffon and lace dress, panne velvet bottle green jacket with blue chiffon skirt, both embroidered with platinum and pewter, black wool coat with guipere details worn with black lace and chiffon dress, blush re-embroidered gown combined with platinum encrusted sleeves, and brocade embroidered gown, encrusted with metal jewels layered with iridescence.

This fall 2015 collection is perhaps Reem Acra’s best collection to date and with this outing Reem Acra is establishing her rightful place in that constellation of designers who understand how to marry couture detailing in ready-to-wear collections with retail viability; well, if you have deep pockets!!

—William S. Gooch