Featured: Take a cue from Cleo
From regal cuts to haute one-shoulder sheath dresses, cocktail gowns and kaftans, Cleopatra's iconic style is the hottest fashion trend this season. Designer Devinaa from brand Jourr tells us how to pull off the Cleo look with élan.
Fashion’s latest muse
With Cleo inspired garbs ruling the fashion roost this season, one sees a lot of Egyptian prints, clothing with hieroglyphics, free-flowing silhouettes, flounced off shoulders, tunic dresses, kaftans or tops belted at the waist and graceful gowns adorned by fashionstas all over.
Devinaa who has designed a collection called ‘Love Cleopatra’ dedicated to the fashionable queen says, “An Egyptian queen like Cleopatra brings to mind the allure of a distant and decadent age. Intricate detail and precision are hallmarks of Egyptian inspired designs. They are luscious but sophisticated, minimal but dramatic!”
The diva dresses
The ensembles are dominated by sexy and sheer fabrics; the colours are simple in understated neutrals and midnight black. But the cinched waists and single shoulder is what accentuates the entire look of the garment. As the gowns of this era were simple, fluid and feminine, simple detailing is essential to ensure a striking entrance.
“Keep the embellishment to the minimum. With a little bit of history woven into them- in terms of embroidery motifs and pair them with right accessories to spell elegance during the day or night. For those who like a little bit of colour, don a glassy orange kaftan sparkled with crystal gems and sequins!” states Devinaa.
Enticing and bold makeup
Cleopatra gave birth to ultra glamourous combination of heavy gold lips with the darkest black eyes and chain mail fringes. While the runway can carry off the look, in reality you can use heavy black liner on the bottom lids to get the Cleopatra-esque shape and dust it off with gold eye shadow on the upper lids.
The hair that completes this look is bold, geometric, strong and sculpted. The square-off style or the modified ponytail chignon can be done too.
A leggy royal affair
One must get the complete look right. For example, a long dress always gives the impression of height, even if one is not really tall. To attain the appropriate way to get this look, Devinaa suggests, “Wear it with a pair of thongs during the day and vamp it up at night with a patent leather belt and killer heels. To offset the drapes of fabric, wear delicate strappy sandals. Or you can also compliment your soft, feminine ensemble with chunky sandals.”
Bejewelled
Jewelled necklines in such dresses demand minimal jewellery. Collections of that era are accented by scarabs, ankh crosses, usekh (it means wide or broad) collars, royal bibs, cartouche, hieroglyphic pendants, armbands, cobras and even Egyptian body arm and shoulder jewellery. “Keep the jewellery in tones of muted gold and glam up your look with exquisite chandelier earrings. For the best effect, keep the neckline clean and uncluttered,” explains Devinaa.
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