DUBAI: American designer Tory Burch unveiled a collection imbued with the spirit of sport — but without venturing into sportswear — at New York Fashion Week this week, with French Algerian model Loli Bahia walking the runway.

Freedom and movement were reflected in loose-fitting wool pants and wrap dresses, while power shone through in the assembly of different pieces, fabrics and cuts on the models marching down the catwalk, AFP reported.

Bahia showcased one of these looks, donning a sleek, structured black ensemble with asymmetrical cuts and overlapping panels that gave it a modern, deconstructed feel. The top had a wrap-like structure with subtle ties on the front, while the skirt featured a high slit. 

The outfit, from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection, was completed with bold, oversized statement earrings and classic black peep-toe heels.

Bahia was joined by Mona Tougaard, who has Danish, Turkish, Somali and Ethiopian ancestry. 

Tougaard graced the runway wearing a sleeveless, cropped black top with a V-neckline, paired with a voluminous, flowy white skirt that had a layered, ruffled design. The skirt featured delicate draping and soft pleats. She wore neutral-tone open-toe heels and had her slicked-back. 

Other standout looks from the show included an ensemble of ultra-light suede pants with a rope belt and a skin-tight sweater patterned in red and white.

A transparent white jersey shirt with ruffles and overly long sleeves was paired with its formal counterpart, brown wool pants.

With this collection, the Pennsylvania native broke from the style that made her famous, a combination of preppy New England with a touch of the bohemian.

“It’s more about the spirit and the essence of sport,” Burch, whose shows have become a staple of New York Fashion Week, told AFP.

That means it is about “movement, about freedom, precision” as a starting point, she explained, adding: “The word ‘synchronicity’ was something I thought about.”

 “I wanted to be careful with not having too many different prints, but I wanted it to come across in some textures and the fabrics and the color,” Burch, who this year celebrated the 20th anniversary of her eponymous fashion house, said.

DUBAI: From US actress Grace Van Patten flaunting heels by Andrea Wazen to British singer Ellie Goulding hitting the red carpet in a Zuhair Murad gown, celebrities kicked off September in style.

Van Patten opted for the Katy Lace Sling heels by Lebanese footwear designer Andrea Wazen at the season 2 premiere Of Hulu's "Tell Me Lies" in California.

The actress, who has appeared in two Netflix films and two Hulu mini-series, paired the black heels with a baby pink slip dress at the premiere.

For her part, Goulding showed off a floor-length number by Lebanese designer-to-the-stars Zuhair Murad, hailing from the label’s Resort 2025 collection. The “Love Me Like You Do” singer chose the dress for an appearance at the Perfect World Foundation's Honorary Conservation Award ceremony in Gothenburg, Sweden, where she was given The Perfect World Foundation Award, following in the footsteps of previous recipients such as Sir David Attenborough, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Ragnhild Jacobsson, CEO and co-founder of The Perfect World Foundation, praised Goulding's environmental efforts in a released statement, saying: "Ellie Goulding is a respected force as a climate and nature champion. Her inspirational efforts to mobilize the youth in saving our planet's biological diversity are admirable. We are proud to honor her as this year's recipient."

In another landmark achievement for an Arab designer, Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi, the founder of Paris-based Ashi Studio, saw US actress Demi Moore grace the cover of Variety magazine in one of his creations.

Moore was photographed for the cover of the Hollywood title’s September issue in a black gown from Ashi’s Sculpted Clouds collection — his Fall 2024 Couture show.

Ashi became the first couturier from the Gulf to join the Federation de la Haute Couture in Paris as a guest member in 2023 and has since shown his collections on the official Paris Haute Couture Week calendar.