Reem Acra spectacular

Romantic and red carpet ready New York - Arabstoday There’s nothing like a runway show to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day (or is that just us?). Stars were certainly feeling the love at Lebanese designer Reem Acra’s Autumn/Winter 2013 Ready-To-Wear show at New York Fashion Week. Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl made her first trip to the Lincoln Center tents in 15 years especially for the show, where she was mobbed by paparazzi. But it became clear that the stars of the evening weren’t just on the front-row as the lights dimmed and a collection of jaw-dropping dresses took centre stage. It’s no surprise that romance was, as always, a key component of the line; Reem is renowned for her heart-stoppingly exquisite bridal gowns. The designer explained that she had been influenced by a “sexed-up Japan” for this autumn’s wardrobe. The colour palette certainly reflected this, with lots of black and white with pops of red. There was an awful lot to write home about for someone who can’t resist a splaying Scarlett O’Hara style, but one look that particularly caught the eye was a black and red ball gown with oriental embroidery on a sheer torso and exploding reams of tulle spilling from the mid-section. Fantastical and escapist, it was everything we dreamed of from Reem.