Fashion Weekly

Stepping out in style! Posted On » May 21 - 27, 2014 (Volume:12 / Issue 73) Members of the American Women’s Association (AWA) had a spring in their step as they modelled colourful collections from various designers to celebrate their annual catwalk extravaganza. The fashion event, staged at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa in Manama, featured trendy everyday wear along with luxurious scarves and caftans. The fashionable affair, entitled ‘It’s About You’, was directed by Bahraini designer Orayb Abubshait and choreographed by Iman Galal Fouad. Mrs Fouad, the membership chairperson on the executive board, said: “Every woman has inner beauty. We wanted to celebrate women for all that they are inside and out. “Many of the models stepped out onto the catwalk for the first time and they have spent many hours rehearsing and preparing for the occasion at Ballare Studio – School of Performing Arts. “Our models are also of different shapes and sizes as well as backgrounds. Our youngest is 19 and our oldest is over 50.” More than 250 women attended the event to mark Mother’s Day in America alongside VIPs including Turkish Ambassador Hatun Demirer and the wives of the Palestinian, Indian and Malaysian ambassadors. Before the show kicked off, women were treated to tea and coffee and an assortment of cookies as they admired bright and colourful paintings displayed by the group’s artistic members. Meanwhile, vendors were available, promoting their products such as Annada’s vibrant scarves and other hand-made goods. As guests took their seats they were presented with gifts from event sponsors, including bags of make-up from Inglot, cookies from Cakelitt and jam from La Scala as well as a BD10 voucher from Nine West. A band played on while models got set to showcase attire from Betty Barclay, artistic scarves from Annada and Arabian-style gowns from Dar Naseem Alandalos. The women cheered on as their friends lit the catwalk in a variety of beautiful hues and pretty patterns. Models were dolled up by Inglot and Elle Beauty Saloon, adorned in accessories from Nine West and Aldo. All models also received a gift from Fatemina Jewellery. After the show, members and guests were treated to lunch and a raffle was also held with special prizes such as a ladies Escape Package from Al Areen Palace & Spa, a silk scarf from Annada and two oil painting sets by Galeria Tres Palmas. Lori Cunningham, chairwoman of the Women of Taste event, said: “The AWA is a great group and it has been a fabulous organisation for me. I have met so many ladies in the last year and there have been so many social events and gatherings.  “The ladies love our fashion show and we are sold out every year. The funds raised from the event goes into a communal account and then are divvied up amongst the community.  We do not target one charity; we spread it around the kingdom to various good causes.”