Reema Al Banna is an award-winning UAE-born and based designer, who was the first to set up a contemporary fashion label of its kind in 2009. REEMAMI has since grown to become recognized and celebrated for its signature architectural and experimental cuts, playful concepts, and hand-illustrated graphics, which showcase a passion to dress the bold, intelligent, and stylish woman.
Al Banna’s interest in print was first cultivated as a graphic designer, where she developed technical expertise with a keen vision to apply this to fashion. Ambitious, Al Banna pursued her training in fashion at ESMOD.
Al Banna’s Reemami, is the brainchild of a third culture family, for the first time ever Al Banna explores her culture and heritage through this collection, inspired by her childhood delicacies, and memories that tie her to her identity as a third culture kid. Nostalgic memories take a stronghold when coming up with the inspiration of her collection, in one of her prints she pays tribute to her upbringing and the fond memories she has of them, with food, traditional dishes, which was engraved by her family to feel a sense of belonging and freedom.
Stories remind her of a time where little traditions play a big role such as food, love of horses and gear (saddles), and that sense of freedom. Palestinian Women refugees contribute to her collection with patchwork that is done by them and unused, creating a new life and telling their stories through a combination of the patchwork and her own designs the collection aims to raise awareness about her own culture and identity as well as the artistic work of the refugees.
Transforming the familiar into fun has become Reema Al Banna’s forte. For the first time, she experiments with traditional Palestinian embroidery, which was glorified and modernized throughout the collection. Horse riding and equestrianism also played a big part in the collection in terms of the explicit cuts and details. This season, Reema Al Banna also toys with the classic collars by creating unusual shapes that can be transformed for a fresh versatile look. She fuses avant-garde sensibilities with effortless ease to create worthy, sculptural designs to flatter.
Undertones of connectivity are once again found throughout the Reemami collection. This season, in the form of the repeated cross-stitch symbol ‘X’ which has been transformed into multiple unique, fun prints in hues of pinks, greens, browns, whites, and dashes of colors. Staying true to Reemami’s aesthetic, the collection features a mix of boxy & feminine silhouettes contrasted with loose cuts seen in the black loose-fit dress with white collar. The combination of edgy cuts yet feminine touch fabrics brings a heightened sense of luxury to REEMAMI’s Pal collection.
Reema Al Banna harnesses her artistic prowess to create playful prints with a nostalgic message which ties her to her identity. Fusing the signature cuts with luxury hand-sketched printed fabrics; REEMAMI’s coveted pieces have gained a global following from the likes of Queen Rania, Bella Hadid, Kelly Rowland, and many more.
Drawing memories from what her family passed on to her, she creates a playful collection that consists of 12 drops and pays tribute to her country that is so beloved to her. This collection hits close to home she longs to visit again one day. This is the first chapter of this collection and this story will keep unfolding in the next seasons.
SS22 collection was showcased at Emerging Talents Milan 5th Anniversary in Palazzo Visconti, sponsored by RARE water – a premium brand of natural mineral and spring water with unique, attractive, and modern packaging
RARE water adopted the innovative approach of capturing the water in the most natural way, which is not subjected to any treatment and allows the preservation of the naturally occurring minerals and their essential components. The water naturally flows through the force of gravity from the mountain down to the plant, no tanks or reservoirs are used whatsoever.
Photo: ImaxTree
