The Najib Alioua fall/winter 2021/2022 collection was among my favorite runway shows this season. The Orient Express, as its been named by the designer is amazingly detailed. Najib Alioua produced a playfully chic and upscale collection that embodied various vintage themes of dress combined with a youthful sense elegance that I relished in. There’s an underlying theme of unmitigated joy in this particular collection that steers it away from being matronly. These are the kinds of luxury dresses worn by ladies who lunch and have a little fun afterwards. Whatever critics or naysayers may feel about the collection is immaterial, the main statement that was made with this collection is clear–Najib Alioua is a designer to watch. This was particularly emphasized in this season’s show.
While previous contributions by Najib Alioua channeled an almost hyper sweet femininity, I see the designer moving into a newer direction. It’s almost as though Najib Alioua is building up to something, but the question is–what?
The Najib Alioua fall/winter collection certainly remains consistent with the brand’s fashion aesthetic, which could be considered in some respects semi-casual formalwear. I have somewhat of a soft spot for designers who incorporate classic staples into their collections. True enough, our individual style is unique and should be expressed as such, however there are some pieces that smoothly transition with us as time passes. The little black dress is among of them. I was certainly impressed by Najib Alioua’s creation of statement pieces like the chicly belted overcoat. Knee length, beaded dresses and lightly flared pants featuring stylish cut-outs created a sort of juxtaposition of the classic pieces I felt moved easily between stylish safety and understated elegance.
These pieces made me curious to see more from this designer, if only to analyze his creative output. This collection left me wanting more. I’m not saying this from a place of lacking, but from a place of creative curiosity. Creativity is measured in range, and while Najib Alioua provided enough to get my attention–it’s left me wanting to see more of what this designer is capable of and where his creative mind is. I admire Najib Alioua’s ability to create a lingering desire in the viewer, it forces you to ask—what’s next?
