#NYFW: Noon by Noor Spring 2017

Designers and cousins Noor Rashid and Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa returned this season to New York Fashion Week for their NOON BY NOOR Spring 2017 collection. The cousins and design duo hail from Bahrain. The collection draws inspiration from around the globe. The shimmering shades of light at sunset, flowers from their homeland and in contrast darker, more structured cityscapes from New York City all served as their muse this season.
Mini shorts and transparent tops with delicate bralettes unveil in some outfits the beauty of the skin. The designers played skillfully with the transparency of tulle, the fluidity of crepe de chine and the iridescence of organza. The aerial silhouettes depict a feminine, dreamy woman wearing dresses, jumpsuits or loungewear in lightweight fabrics. The layered dresses and tops were embellished with sequins or intricate floral details.

The palette offers various tones of pale pink, antique gold, soft colors suddenly disrupted by white and black, rendering the variation of light during day and night. I noticed that all the outfits without exception are unicolor, there is no print but still subtle nuances like chiffon flowers and sequin hexagons.

The models wore no jewelry. They slid elegantly on the catwalk. Loungewear at NOON BY NOOR is elevated to a party attire. No risk of falling from high heels as the shoes are a version of slippers or babouche in matching the color. The collection manages to be chic and comfortable at the same time. When the lights were all gone this fascinating poem by Charles Baudelaire “Invitation to the Voyage” resurfaced in my mind.

This beautiful show attracted its lot of celebrities with Alexa Chung sitting in the front row next to Lea Lazar. Brazilian Martha Graeff was also present.

-Guest post by Geraldine Trippitelli of  mazettemedia.com

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Noon By Noor Spring 2014

 Designers Noor Rashid and Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa created a collection for spring 2014 inspired by their homeland.  Floral prints and appliques of blossoms represented the Tree of Life of Bahrain.

The overall look was a blend of upscale sportswear and evening wear for ladies who didn’t necessarily have to work for a living.  There were bright, elegant ensembles that mixed different lengths of skirts and pants, jackets, blouses, etc.   It represented what I as a child imagined very elegant grown-ups would wear.  I was a tomboy in my youth, so the feminine colors and flowers were what I believed to be what proper ladies would always have in their closet.

Did the Khalifa family feel the same way?  Their previous fashion shows at NY Fashion Week also had a relaxed upscale air, but had more metallic and traditionally ethnic touches or more masculine tailored looks.  Are they dressing their families? The elite of their country?  I haven’t seen the collection represented at retail in this country, so I’m not sure who their target audience is yet.  As this is only their third outing down the runway here it may take a few more seasons before they find their way.   I wish them luck and hope they do.

Are you a Noon by Noor customer?  What do you think their next collection should look like?

photos by David TW Leung

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Noon By Noor Fall 2013

I love all sorts of designer families.  Noon by Noor designers Sheikha Noor Al Khalifa and Sheikha Haya Al Khalifa are cousins.  Their second outing at NY Fashion week was inspired by the transient culture of their home country of Bahrain.

The knitted wool caps, long caps and scholastic looks reminiscent of the British boarding school days of my father's time.  He, like many foreign students had parents who wanted their child to receive an International education and exposed themselves to culture.  Winter weather was a new thing, etiquette, language...  The cool color palette of the sportswear was grey, oxblood, blue, black with hints of gold.   The evening wear warmed up with rich red in silk.  

I"m not sure how many stores actually carry this line yet, but you can buy it on their own website. It is a good looking collection for only a second season, though I don't see a consistent aesthetic yet.  I'm looking forward to some great things from these designing cousins.

Who are your favorite designing families?

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Noon by Noor Spring 2013

Noon by Noor is a collection designed by  Shaikha Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Shaikha Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa of Bahrain, making their debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. They took common sportswear staples like t-shirts, motorcycle jackets, shorts, skirts and gave them the luxury treatment with the most opulent fabrics they could find like silk chiffon and embellished brocade.

Their aesthetic is one of sleek, minimalist elegance.  The color palette was a shimmering one of gold, pale yellow, sand, peach, copper and moss.  The show certainly brought out the right fans of upscale fashion...Socialites Olivia Palermo and Nicky Hilton were sitting front row.

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